Lumpy says on Oct 5, 2005, 19:04:
My 3 cents... (inflation) Civil Weddings seem to be less restrictive in MY opinion... the following is taken from the US Embassy website... hope it helps.
Marriage to a Colombian National
The following is an informal interpretation of Colombian law regarding the marriage of a U.S. citizen to a Colombian national. One should always consult with the appropriate Colombian governmental and/or religious officials as to specific details and updated information. A marriage performed in accordance with Colombian law is recognized under the law of the United States.
Colombian Civil Law Requirements
The following documentary requirements must be completed to satisfy the civil law regarding marriage in Colombia. Civil marriage is a contract which takes effect upon issuance of the deed of marriage (escritura pública de matrimonio civil), which is issued by a notary public. In order to process the deed of marriage the foreigner has to identify himself with his passport or a Colombian foreigner identification card. It is no longer necessary to have a marriage visa to marry in Colombia.
U.S. birth certificate: The U.S. citizen, if not born in Colombia, must obtain a certified copy of his/her birth certificate, issued within the three months prior to the wedding. The certified birth certificate, if issued in a language other than Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
Certificado de soltería: The U.S. citizen must present a notarized, written statement, executed by a family member or close friend who has known him/her for more than ten years, stating that he/she has never been married. If issued in a language other than Spanish, this statement must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
Apostille: The Hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign documents dated October 5, 1961 entered into force for the United States on October 15, 1981. The Convention entered into force for Colombia on January 30, 2001. Documents originating in the United States require for recognition in Colombia an Apostille issued by competent U.S. authorities.
If either the U.S. citizen or his/her Colombian fiancé/e have previously been married in other than a Roman Catholic ceremony, a Certificate of Dissolution must be presented, properly authenticated, depending on whether it was issued in Colombia or abroad, as indicated above. If issued in a language other than Spanish, this statement must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
When these documents have been prepared as indicated, they should be delivered to a Colombian notary for processing. The Colombian spouse should at this time provide an authenticated birth certificate issued within the month prior to the wedding, as well as an authenticated copy of his/her cédula.
For civil ceremonies, the notary will be able to offer instruction on petitioning a Colombian judge to perform the wedding service.
Please note that after the wedding, the U.S. citizen must provide the Colombian notary (who has processed the papers) confirmation that the municipality in the U.S. which earlier issued his/her birth certificate has been informed of the marriage. Additionally, the marriage certificate must be registered with the Colombian notary.
Roman Catholic Church Requirements
As noted above, in the event of a Roman Catholic Church marriage to a Colombian national, the U.S. citizen must comply with the following documentary requirements, in addition to the Colombian civil law requirements listed previously:
Baptismal Certificate: If the U.S. citizen was not born in Colombia, and is Roman Catholic, he/she must present a baptismal certificate obtained within the three months, prior to the wedding with an Apostille. The certified baptismal certificate, if issued in a language other than Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
U.S. citizens who are not Roman Catholic must instead present their birth certificate. The certified birth certificate, if issued in a language other than Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
Confirmation Certificate: U.S. citizens who are Catholic must present their certificate of confirmation. The certified confirmation certificate, if issued in a language other than Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
U.S. citizens who are not Catholic must instead present certification of the religion to which they belong (and translation, if necessary) with an Apostille.
Certificado de soltería: U.S. citizens who are Catholic must present a written statement, sworn before a Roman Catholic priest and authenticated by a Church official, executed by two family members stating:
a. how many years they have known the U.S. citizen; and
b. that the U.S. citizen has never been married in the Catholic Church or, if previously married in the Catholic Church, the reason for the dissolution of the marriage.
If issued in a language other than Spanish, this statement must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille.
If the U.S. citizen who is Roman Catholic has been previously married in the Church, he/she must additionally present certification of the annulment of the marriage, certification of the civil law divorce, and/or certification of the death of the previous spouse. A person previously married by the Catholic Church and subsequently divorced from a still living spouse may not be remarried in the Catholic Church in Colombia without first obtaining an annulment from the Church.
U.S. citizens who are not Catholic must instead present a written statement, sworn before a Notary, executed by two family members stating:
c. how many years they have known the U.S. citizen; and
d. that the U.S. citizen has never married, either in the Catholic Church or under civil law.
All documents must be translated into Spanish and have an Apostille issued by the appropriate U.S. authorities.
Premarital Course: All U.S. citizens, regardless of religion, seeking to marry a Colombian national in the Roman Catholic Church, must attend a Church-sponsored premarital course, and present the course certificate along with the above documents.
Important: The Colombian national spouse must comply with his/her own documentary requirements.
All of the above-referenced documentation should be presented, Monday through Friday, between 9:00AM to 12:00M, at least one month prior to the anticipated wedding date at:
Arquidiócesis de Bogotá
Delegación Arzobispal
Matrimonios de Extranjeros
Curia Arzobispal
Carrera 7 # 10-20
Phone: (571) 350-5511
Along with the referenced documentation, the couple to be married must present themselves, and two witnesses of legal age (preferably family members), together with the identity documents of the couple and the witnesses.
The proposed marriage will be announced by the Roman Catholic Church and, if no information which may prevent the marriage is presented within one month after the announcement, the wedding date will be set.
Following the wedding ceremony, the Roman Catholic Church marriage certificate must be registered with a Colombian notary.
List of Colombian consulates in the U.S.
Persons wishing information concerning entrance requirements to Colombia, laws and related matters, and matrimonial visas should communicate with the Colombian Embassy or the Colombian Consular office nearest their place of residence.
For further information on visa issues, please visit:
bogota.usembassy.gov
http://uscis.gov
http://travel.state.gov
As for the proving of your single status... my buddy used the following. It is written in Englsh and Spanish. He had it notorized & sent to the Apostile of his state. The Apostille put their seal on it & mailed it back to him. GOOD LUCK & I hope this helped.
I, _______________________, certify that I have known John Doe for over ten (10) years and he is not currently married. He is my son. I am his Father.
I, _______________________, certify that I have known John Doe for over ten (10) years and he is not currently married. He is my son. I am his Mother.
Yo, ______________________, certifico he conocido a John Doe por más de diez (10) años y él no es casado atualmente. El es mi hijo. Soy su padre.
Yo, ______________________, certifico he conocido a John Doe por más de diez (10) años y él no es casado atualmente. El es mi hijo. Soy su madre.
