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I want to travel back but need more info.

I am so glad I found this site. I was born in Cali moved to the states when I was six months old. Went back to Colombia when I was 2 for 1 year and have not been back since. I am 33 years old now. I just got my US citizenship done in May 2008. I thought I was good to go. Wrong! I have been emailing the consulate to see what I need. Since I am over the age of 25 the agent on the phone told me it will take like 5 years to get all of the paperwork done. I emailed them yesterday and this is one of the responses that I got from them:

"As you are upper 25 year old, we cannot issue a Colombian passport until you get your cedula. If you need to travel to Colombia, you have to do it with your contraseña and your american passport. When you arrive to Colombia you have to show your contraseña and your passport to the DAS agent."

Has anyone recently experienced the same thing?

My dad is getting his US Citizenship done this month and is wanting to go to Colombia sometime Jan - Mar. for a week and I would like to go also seeing I have not been back since I was 3. Any info would be great..

Thanks in Advance

By ejg398 on Dec 2, 2008, 11:16 in Visa & paperwork.

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 2, 2008, 11:24:

Don't sweat it too much. You can travel there with just your US passport. My parents were both born in Colombia and they use their US passports all the time when they travel to Colombia. At worst, the DAS immigration agent will scold you for not using your Colombian passport.

If you've already applied for your Cedula, you can take your contraseña with you, but it isn't critical. The only time it would be necessary to use your Colombian passport is if you planned on spending more than a few months there. Since you are only going for a week, you will be fine.

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webmanco says on Dec 2, 2008, 11:26:

http://www.registraduria.gov.co/

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 2, 2008, 11:56:

If you can even find the regulation on that site, it will likely tell you that anyone born in Colombia should use a Colombian passport to enter the country.

However, from the experience of the literally hundreds of trips that my family and I have taken to Colombia, I can tell you that you can use your US passport with no problems. The immigration agents at the airport may scold you a bit about it, but they will still stamp your passport and let you through without any real hassles. If you have your contraseña, take it. The main reason is so you can show it to the airline counter agent on the way out of Colombia so they don't charge you the $5 tourist fee.

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ejg398 says on Dec 2, 2008, 12:01:

I have always heard I had to have a tarjeta militar or I would get stuck there since military service is mandatory... If it was not cause I am married and have a family hear that would not be an issue.. I just do not want to end up getting stuck there.

Whats the worst case scenerio you get there with just the US passport and they will not stamp it? Can you be detained?

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 2, 2008, 12:15:

I suppose that the absolute worst case scenario would be that you would be returned on the next flight to the US, but that won't happen. If you are worried about it, just take your contraseña as the consulate suggested.

When it comes to military service, you are technically subject to possible conscription until you are 50 years old. There is not an exemption for residing in another country. However, in reality, you will most likely not be bothered. Still, you may want to talk to your consulate about this.

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ejg398 says on Dec 2, 2008, 12:20:

so if I go to the consulate how long does it take to get the contraseña? I have tried to look it up but have not found the info.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 2, 2008, 12:26:

If you have the proper documents, you normally get the contraseña at the time you file for a cedula. It is just a printed piece of thick paper with your picture stapled to it. In effect, it is a receipt to claim your cedula when it arrives, but you can use it in place of a cedula for most things.

The things you will need to apply for a first time cedula are your "Registro Civil de Nacimiento" and three correctly sized photographs (4 x 5 cm). You will also need to know your blood type.

There is typically no cost for this. If you do not have a copy of your Registro Civil, you will have to request one. You would have to deal with the Registraduria for the place you were born in Colombia. You can find that office on the site that webmanco posted.

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ejg398 says on Dec 2, 2008, 12:33:

Cool deal! Thanks for all the info guys it has really helped...

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