Marriage Visa

Gator says on Jul 5, 2005, 05:37:

No Marriage Visa Required, but... the paperwork will be different if you plan a Catholic wedding or just a civil ceremony. Which one??

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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alcpa says on Jul 5, 2005, 07:48:

Marriage Visa We are planning a civil ceremony - Thanks - Is there an advantage to a Catholic wedding?

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Gator says on Jul 5, 2005, 09:43:

Not Really. There is far less paperwork and requirements for a civil marriage. A factor might be your novia and her family's feelings about the matter-IF she is Catholic.

You will probably need:

Photocopy of your American Passport (notarized) with expiration date more than six months after marriage date.

Birth Certificate (certified) with issuance date less than 90 days from the proposed wedding date, which shows parents' names, with Apostille from the Secretary of State office from the State which originated the document.

Certificado de soltería (a Certificate of Bachelorhood) which is a notarized, written statement from a family member or close friend who has known you for more than ten years, stating that you have 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.

If you or fiancee have previously been married in other than a Roman Catholic ceremony, a Certificate of Dissolution (Divorce) must be presented, properly authenticated, depending on whether it was issued in Colombia or abroad if that applies. If issued in a language other than Spanish, this statement must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and must have an Apostille. Additional documents may be requested at the discretion of the Notary, and thus should be secured and available.

You BEST bet is you/she or both meet with the Colombian Notary Public
who is going to perform the ceremony and find out EXACTLY what the Notary requires. This can vary from notary to notary and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. BEST ADVICE IS TO NAIL IT DOWN BEFOR THE CEREMONY AND HAVE EXACTLY WHAT IS REQUIRED.

Here is the State Department's information on an Apostille:

Apostille Information
Since October 15, 1981, the United States has been part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Documents destined for use in participating countries and their territories should be certified by one of the officials in the jurisdiction in which the document has been executed. Said official must have been designated as competent to issue certifications by "apostille" usually in the office of the State Secretary of State of his/her counterpart.

With this certification by the Hague Convention apostille, the document is entitled to recognition in the country of intended use, and no certification by the Authentications Office or legalization by the embassy or consulate of the foreign country where the document is to be used is required. The Authentications Office only certify to documents from other federal agencies and officials from foreign governments with the apostille. For non-federal documents you receive this from the Secretary of State's where the original document is issued


Good Luck

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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lpdiver says on Jul 7, 2005, 04:56:

Gator One tiny correction in reference to the certificate of bachelorhood. It needs to state that you are legally eligible to marry...not that you have never been married. I was married then divorced...

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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