PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Marriage Help Needed

Hi. My name is Adrienne and I have been lurking on this site for a while and I know you all will be very helpful to me in the future. I am so glad I found this site. I need help with my future marriage of my Colombian fiancé. I am pretty sure all the information that I need is somewhere on this site but I need case specific help, please. I’ve already tried emailing the consulate in Houston but never got a reply.

So here is the deal. (sorry this is long) Sometime in the next year, my Colombian fiancé will be moving back to Bucaramanga. His work contract will be ending and we want to move there to live and raise a family. Currently I am in TX (I am a US Citizen) and he travels a lot for work so he doesn’t have much time to look into stuff and we will not be getting married here. As soon as his contract ends he will be flying home and aprox 3 weeks later I will go visit him for 2.5 weeks and get lasiks done. (I have to do this visit first to take advantage of my current benefits at work so I must return after the visit.) After the visit, I plan to come back and get all my stuff (house, car, furniture, etc) sold and then move down there for good.

My question is when should we get married to make the paperwork the easiest? We just want a civil wedding down there. Should we get married while I am there visiting or wait till I move down there for good? What visas would I need and how do I go about changing status? When I move down there for good, I would like to be able to work, teaching English or something but I am not qualified to get a work visa because I do not have a certification here.

Also, what paperwork will I need to get married and do I have to wait to get started on gathering all of it? I have no children but I am divorced. The Catholic Church did grant me an annulment if that makes any difference (I am not Catholic though).

Please help. I know I am going to have many more questions but I think this site is awesome and should be helpful. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!

By adrienne79 on Feb 23, 2007, 09:17 in Friendly Talkzone. AddThis Social Bookmark Button


Robert Jorge says on Feb 23, 2007, 10:19:

Like Rubito said, check with a notary in Bucaramanga on exactly what they will need to get you guys hitched. There should be many notaries in Buca, so tell your guy to shop around. There may be some notaries that require less than others. Good luck.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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adrienne79 says on Feb 23, 2007, 10:21:

okay thanks I am trying to do a search but I guess I don't know the right words to put in. I can't find any information for people who are divorced and what they need. Hmmmm, so I will need to get another copy of my birth certificate? The certified copy I have is at least 10 year old. Also, I am confussed about the letters from family/friends stating I have never been married. Will I still need something from them saying I am single or will the divorce decree take care of it?

So, if I wait to get married once I return, will I be able to change my tourist visa so I can stay legally and somehow be able to work?

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adrienne79 says on Feb 23, 2007, 10:22:

oh okay I didn't realize that all notaries are different. Thanks!

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JMCana says on Feb 23, 2007, 10:34:

Post describing There is much information in the Visa section of this blog site.

I recently got married in Colombia. Here is the post site for what I went through for both the wedding and the visa as a spouse.

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/21473

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vicshere says on Feb 23, 2007, 10:40:

here you go with this info you can't go wrong
http://www.colombiaemb.org/opencms/opencms/consulates/special.html


MARRIAGE TO A COLOMBIAN NATIONAL (TS)
The following documentary requirements must be completed to satisfy the Civil Law regarding marriage in Colombia. Please note that even if a religious ceremony is planned, the civil requirements must also be completed. A foreigner with a tourist visa CANNOT get married in Colombia. Decree No.2668/88 and 1556/89.

Requirements:

1. Valid Passport with at least 3 available pages and good for a minimum of 6 months.

2. Two (2) passport copies. plain copies please.

3. Visa application form duly signed and filled out in duplicate.

4. Three (3) colored passport-type pictures (2"x2").

5. Letter from the applicant stating the purpose of the trip, name and “cédula number� (Colombian citizenship ID number) of the future spouse, and possible date of marriage.

6. Notarized letter from the Colombian citizen requesting visa for future spouse.

7. Notarized copy of the “Cédula de Ciudadanía� belonging to the Colombian Citizen. This is a copy of the Colombian Citizenship ID Card duly authenticated as a true copy of the original.

8. Police criminal records, issued within the last six months, translated into Spanish and both versions (English and Spanish) must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE from the secretary of state of the State where it was issued. This certificate is required ONLY if you do not hold a current Colombian visa.

9. Consular Fee: US$ 175.00 (Exempt for US Citizens), plus US$28.00 for the legalization of documents supporting the application.

REQUIREMENTS NEEDED IN COLOMBIA FOR MARRIAGE

1. Birth Certificate. If born outside of Colombia, applicant must obtain a certified copy of his/her birth certificate issued within three months prior to the wedding. This document must be certified with an APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the state where it was issued.

2. “Certificado de Soltería�: The foreigner must present a written statement, executed by two family members or close friends who have known him/her for more than ten years, stating that he/she is not married at the moment, This document must be notarized by a Notary Public in the city of issuance, and certified with an APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the state where it was issued.

3. Divorce decree. If the foreigner had previously been married, a certified copy by the court of the divorce decree must be presented. This document must be certified with an APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the state where it was issued.



listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

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JMCana says on Feb 23, 2007, 10:53:

Tourist Visa Quoted above: "A foreigner with a tourist visa CANNOT get married in Colombia. Decree No.2668/88 and 1556/89."

Something is amiss on that one. I got married last December while here on a tourist visa. Then before the tourist visa expired I got a marriage visa.

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adrienne79 says on Feb 23, 2007, 11:07:

Okay cool, See I knew you all would be great help!!! Thanks! Does anyone know if the “Certificado de Soltería� or the divorce decree has to have been issued within a certain time frame like the birth certificate? I was thinking I should go ahead and get it ready if I can. I found out that in Colorado (where my parents live) they don't even charge for the apostille on the Certificado de Soltería. I guess there is no loss in going ahead to do it since all it will cost is a stamp.

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bradenmiami says on Feb 23, 2007, 11:35:

Go to Visajourney.com This is the BEST site out there for people in your situation. We used this site religiously throughout our marriage and visa process. If you are willing to do the research and studying, this community will become your best friend!

PS...dont get me worng, I like ColombiaGuide here for many reasons but it is not the best reseource for Visa help.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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adrienne79 says on Feb 23, 2007, 12:05:

Thanks Bradyvicky. I had never heard of that site. I'll check it out!

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JMCana says on Feb 23, 2007, 12:41:

Talk with the notary My notary wanted the 90 days on the birth certificate as well. Best to know what the law is, then talk with the notary to make sure he agrees.

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