Marriage visa update

2retirensa says on Feb 8, 2005, 07:15:

In Cali When I told my novio this news, he went to two notarias in Cali, and and they didn't know about this. We are not getting married right now, so for us it isn't really important. I was just curious.
Maureen

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 8, 2005, 07:51:

US NATIONALS NEVER DID NEED A VISA I have said this again and again again. US passport holders, citiizens and non citizens, never did need a visa to enter Colombia.

I don't know why people think that they ever did or do. Of course they are limited in the amount of time that they can stay, but for unless you're moving there or going to work there, it's a non issue for tourists. Most tourists stay for a for no more than a month and you a US national never needs a visa for such a short visit

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Lowell says on Feb 8, 2005, 07:56:

Visa I've traveled to Colombia 4 times nad got maried on my 3rd visit. Never needed anything more that my Passport each time. Now moving to Colombia and I'm very suprised how easy it is for me to get a temporary residence Visa by being married to a Colombian. We live in Panama and the personel at the Colombian Embacy are very helpful.

LWA

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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2retirensa says on Feb 8, 2005, 08:16:

Clarification My note is not about entering Colombia, but the requirement of needing a "marriage visa" as specified by the govt.
Maureen

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builder says on Feb 8, 2005, 08:17:

marriage Does anyone know if it is pssible to fly to another country and get a legal marriage such as the dominican republic or others? And whether it is recognized by colombia law?

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2retirensa says on Feb 8, 2005, 09:53:

Builder My spanish teacher was married in Venezuela. According to her many Colombianos get married there in the border town (I can´t remember the name just now).She had it set up through a travel agency in Cali. The border was closed for a long time and now has just re-opened, but I think I read in a recent post there are still problems once in VZ (time at the airport etc). I actually was interested because it appeared on the surface to be much easier, but at that time the border was closed to Colombianos. Haven´t looked into it recently.
Maureen

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 8, 2005, 12:01:

I would like a clear answer to this question, too. I notice that the Houston consulate used to have information for the marriage visa on their site but they removed it. Even if it is true, however, are the notarias in Colombia aware of the change?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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lpdiver says on Feb 8, 2005, 14:08:

I would find the notaria That I intend to use and cover the subject with them. As I understand it is all pretty much in their hands. I had to educate our notaria on a few of the facts.

I don't know if it is true or not about the marriage visa...it would make sense though...imagine that!!!


T

"cook some rice!"

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Lionheart says on Feb 8, 2005, 21:02:

The official date for the change seems to be March 1st My novia is getting all the info currently and I will be her test subject I guess, she is lawyer in Cali. I will post the official statements and needs asap ... it seems the change also caught many officials and lawyers in Colombia by surprise. Therefore I would recommend to be patient and wait for the turmoil to settle down and actually reach those doing the paperwork.

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 8, 2005, 21:52:

Catholicism What about the whole Catholicism issue? The Bogota embassy info states that you have to go through this whole rite of passage and convert if your not Catholic already. Any truth to this or can a good old southern Baptist just waltz right in?

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Lionheart says on Feb 8, 2005, 21:56:

no need if ... you don't get married in a catholic church ... a civil law marriage is easy.

I have heard "rumors" that certain catholic churches in Colombia make the process easy, from what I heard they are more rural and open to donations ...

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 8, 2005, 21:57:

As far as the US government is concerned they want to see the registro civil - this is the marriage registration from the notaria. You can have a Catholic wedding too and the church has their own set of requirements but it is not necessary for immigration purposes. Your novia should be able to talk to her priest and see what is necessary if she wants to get married in the Catholic church. We did it but it was a bit of a struggle.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 8, 2005, 22:19:

Thanks again Ahhhh........thanks again guys!!! Knowledge from the experienced is like gold in the hand. ;-)

Jay

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 8, 2005, 23:42:

Marriage in Colombia I guess my next question is what licenses are necessary in Colombia to get married? I would assume you have to have all the usual stuff such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, and all of that, but what about the marriage license itself? I really hate going to the government sites because half of the info apparently isn't correct. I'll ask my novia to find out what we need from her end of the deal but I still need to know what I need from my end. Any information would be appreciated. ;-)

Jay

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Lionheart says on Feb 9, 2005, 00:07:

the paperwork changes are wide open now It has been assumed here in a different thread that the required papers will be the same. But since nothing public has been posted yet I wouldn't rely on it. It looks like the marriage model of Chile is being copied, hoping to bring international talent into the country. I assume other visa changes will follow using the same logic. My lady is having a hard time even finding the official law changes ... and she is lawyer there! I will post whatever she finds out, but I would add, subject to change without further notice. Do not assume anything required for any of the visas will be required. I did once read a list what the catholic church requires, which never gave a hoot about visas. I would use that as a reference for now. For a civil marriage you can always scrap the religious stuff. If we are lucky a passport, birth certificate, and a not-married certificate (and divorce papers) with translations will be enough.

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 9, 2005, 00:37:

Lionheart Coolness, I knew one of you two (You or UC) would come to my rescue. You guys are awesome!!! What the heck are you doing up at this hour? Thinking about 6th street again? Hehehe. I'm at work unfortunately, which for me basically amounts to being here in case they accidently blow something up and I have to reload the chemicals. It definitely sounds like you two are right on the money about getting married down there. I might even show her family what a good old fashion hoot-nanny looks like complete with buck-dancing. Just kidding. I wouldn't know how to buck-dance, but with enough cerveza who knows, right? Thanks and please keep me posted. ;-)

Jay

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Lionheart says on Feb 9, 2005, 00:49:

burning my midnight oil ... as DJ for my internet radio station ... remembering Austin's live music in every bar. I told my novia if she makes me learn salsa (no choice if I want to stay alive longer than a week) then I will teach her good old rock'n'roll. At least I get some leverage there.

Yes, with the latest changes I see no reason why somebody would want to marry in the USA now. Marry with her family involved and stay there until all visa work is completed. At least learn more about her culture before bringing her back to the States, if that ever happens then ...

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lpdiver says on Feb 9, 2005, 04:03:

Jay The Colombian consulate in Houston used to have very clear and accurite instructions as to what was required. My advise as one who has been there and done that is two fold.

1. Gather the documentation that is required under the old regulations is is fairly cheap and fairly easy. (cheap insurance and peace of mind)

2. And the most important. Determine what notaria you will be using and run it past her in advance. Her willingness to marry you is the only important factor. If she does the ceremony you are legally married. Personally I faxed all my documents to the notaria in advance and had her seal of approval before departing.

Good Luck


Antony

"cook some rice!"

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 9, 2005, 04:41:

Translation? Apostille? Thanks Tony. What about all of the translation involved and this thing called an Apostille? Do I take the documents to the Apostille before or after translation? I'm assuming before translation because the Apostille they list for me is here at the state capital in Alabama. Everytime I think I see some light through the clouds I come across even more confusing, inadequately explained information on the government sites. They sure don't want this process to be user-friendly! LOL!!! ;-)

Jay

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lpdiver says on Feb 9, 2005, 05:41:

Jay Think of an apostille as a super notary...Being on the cautious side I had the translations apostilled. In my case residing in Louisiana I had to get my Tenn. birth certificate issued and apostilled in Tennesee and sent to me. About 35 dollars in total and I sweet talked the girl on the other end of the phone with "my romantic" love story. She hand carried the BC to be Apostilled and put in in the fedex overnight for me personally.

In the end I spent 40 bucks I might not have had too.

For the wedding the person you need to satisfy is the notaria. If she will marry you...you are legallly married. Period. If she won't then you have to find someone who will.

In my case the notaria could have cared less about some of the documents that the law requires. As I stated earlier this is who you need to be asking the questions. While in Colombia you might a few extra copies of your marriage cert apostilled and notarized or not. It is much easier and cheaper while there doing it anyway.

In the middle of my K-3 visa process I was car jacked and lost everything in the car. Serendipitously I had removed my briefcase with ALL my immigrations documents 15 minutes earlier...something to think about.

Good Luck,

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 9, 2005, 05:49:

Jumping The Broom Thanx Bro, sounds pretty cut and dried. I guess I'll just ask my sweetie where she'd like to jump the broom. Hopefully she'll choose Colombia because that does sound a lot easier. ;-)

Jay

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lpdiver says on Feb 9, 2005, 06:08:

Jay Good Luck man. You need to do your homework and come up with your own answers. Sounds like you are studying the right boards and asking the questions.

In the end it was a crap shoot for us at the time we got married as to which would be fastest. For me with all things being "relatively" equal I decided I wanted to meet my relatives in Colombia and show them first hand how much I loved Angela.

To get a good answer to your question there are about sixty questions that need to be asked and responded to to get a knowledgable, intelligent reply. If a so called immigration attorney isn't asking those questions...get another attorney. do note that they information can be gotten in an informal discussion with out you knowing it is happening.

I spent 1500 hours studying and collecting information as I fear needing to apply for a waiver of excludability and am more knoweledgable about this proceedure than your average immigration attorney. I don't know jack though compared to a knoweledgable attorney versed in waiver of excludability cases.

A forum is a good place to gather information...but verify in in the written law...print it out and learn it.

Hopefully yours is a straight forward case that involves nothing more than filling forms out accurately.

In the end noone will be as interested in your case as you and your wife.

Good luck,

tony

"cook some rice!"

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JT says on Feb 10, 2005, 10:59:

I had to get one for December '04 I got a special 'marriage visa' from the COlombian consulate in Chicago in October for my December wedding in Cartagena. If its true that the marriage visas aren't necessary, thats cool, because it was a pain in the butt to get the paper work from different states and notarized, then the spanish translations notarized, then all these Apostilled, only to have to get them re-translated in Cartagena, which turned out to be worse than my translations.

Anyone know how easy it would be for me a US citizen to get a Spouse Visa from COlombia?

JT

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NATYPAISA says on Feb 11, 2005, 19:36:

DEFINITELY YOU NEED A VISA HI

I AM GOING TO TRY TO HELP YOU ( MY ENGLISH IS SO BAD )...SORRY

I AM COLOMBIAN AND I AM MARRIED WITH A US CITIZEN, AND DEFINITELY YOU HAVE TO GET A SPECIAL VISA, IT IS CALLED "VISA TS " EVERYBODY KNOW IF YOU ARE US CITIZEN YOU DONT NEED GET A VISA TO COME TO COLOMBIA BUT FOR YOUR WEDDING YES, DONT WORRY ABOUT, IS SO EASY TO GET IT, BUT BE CAREFULLY BECAUSE AFTER YOU GOT THE VISA YOU HAVE ONLY 3 MONTHS TO USE AFTER THIS TIME IT IS EXPIRES. YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE A TURIST YOU HAVE 3 MONTHS FOR STAY HERE BUT YOUR TIME IS COUNTING FROM THE DAY THAT YOU GOT YOUR VISA AND AFTER IS SO EASY AND QUICK GET YOUR LEGAL RESIDENCE AND YOU WILL BE HERE UNTIL TWO YEARS BUT IF YOU DONT HAVE YOUR " VISA TS " IS IMPOSSIBLE.

WE ARE NEWLYWEDS, MY INFORMATIONT IS RECENT

GOOD LUCK " BUENA SUERTE "

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fuerter says on Feb 12, 2005, 09:04:

English does the same apply for an english person

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