Marrying in Colombia, requirements

vladimiro says on Feb 12, 2006, 14:45:

A little known secrete That I wish I had known about earlier:

Foriegners can get married on Colombia's San Andres Island with nothing but thier passport. Normally there are several documents and beuaracracy to go through, but in San Andres its hassel free. You can call the notario at the "Notaria Unica de San Andres" and he'll tell you himself( the number is available from internet yellow pages). Your Colombian wife will need a cedula and the version of her birth certifate acceptable for marraige( it should say on it that it can be used for marriage). And that's it. Good Luck.

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treeshark2 says on Feb 12, 2006, 16:02:

Waiting time ??? After the registration with the notaria there is a 2 week waiting time for the marriage. Wonder if that is also true in San Andres??

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golden says on Feb 12, 2006, 16:03:

colombian marriage please let us know how you get on. I read so many different suggestions on this subject and wonder if what Vladimiro says about san andres is true/ CAN IT POSSIBLY BE ?

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JMOON87 says on Feb 12, 2006, 19:54:

Its true My wife talked to a notary and yes that is all that is needed to marry in san andres is the passport if you are not from colombia - good luck .

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Shifty says on Feb 12, 2006, 20:35:

To marry in San Andres If it is true that all you need is a passport to marry in San Andres, that is what I will be doing. Then we can return and have a reception in Barranquilla with her family.

Shifty139us

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Gator says on Feb 13, 2006, 07:37:

Please, Guys(and ladies).... ALWAY check with the notary WHO WILL DO THE CEREMONY or file and register the marriage certificate. Whatever the notary says is the way it will be. If he/she says only a passport, good for you.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá has a very good web page that will answer most of your questions. Have your novia pick a notary in Medellin, I presume, who will do the marriage and find out EXACTLY what she or he will require. Follow those requirement to the letter and if there are questions ASK..

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsmare.shtml

"Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapults habebunt."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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lpdiver says on Feb 13, 2006, 10:26:

This has been discussed in detail here already. Go here...http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/15868

Good luck

Antony

"cook some rice!"

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NorwegianMale says on Feb 13, 2006, 11:46:

Thanks Hi guys,

Thank you very much for your replies, you are really nice guys. If it was up to me I would have replaced some government officials with you, there are nothing to learn from them.

San Andres seems like a good option, but I am still a little bit worried. I find it strange that there are different rules complying to marriage in different regions of the same country. Are you guys sure that that easy way marriage in San Andres has the same level of validity as a hard way marriage? I am especially concerned about the right to gain a residence approval to a European country.

Thanks,

Ingvar

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Gator says on Feb 13, 2006, 12:44:

If You Are to Get Married and the notary will do it based upon the other posts good for you.
As to if it would be legal elsewhere , to me, that is up in the air.

By law here is what is required and 99% of the notaries require the following. I have not translated but I suggest you have some on do so so you know the law.

MATRIMONIO CIVIL ANTE NOTARIO

FUNDAMENTO JURIDICO: Decreto número 2668 del 26 de diciembre de 1.988.

REQUISITOS

NACIONALIDAD COLOMBIANA

SOLTEROS
Diligenciar y presentar los interesados el formulario de solicitud.
Anexar registros civiles de nacimiento de los contrayentes válidos para acreditar parentesco, expedidos con antelación no mayor a (3) meses a la solicitud del matrimonio.
Fotocopia de las cédulas de los solicitantes.
Nota: La solicitud debe ser presentada personalmente por los interesados o en su defecto otorgar poder especial para presentar dicha solicitud con anexos y/o la celebración del matrimonio.

SOLTEROS CON HIJOS EN COMUN
Además de lo anterior deben anexar:

Registro civil de nacimiento del (os) hijo (s) para proceder a su legitimación.

SOLTEROS CON HIJOS DE OTRA UNION
Si los hijos son menores se debe aportar la escritura del inventario solemne de bienes. (Proceso en la jurisdicción de familia), si son mayores el registro civil de nacimiento.
SEGUNDAS NUPCIAS Y/O UNION ANTERIOR, O DEFUNCIÓN DEL CONYUGE.
Deben anexar el registro civil de nacimiento y matrimonio del cónyuge con las notas de divorcio y liquidación de la sociedad conyugal.

Si es unión marital de hecho declarada judicialmente, anexar registro civil de nacimiento con las anotaciones respectivas.

Si el cónyuge es fallecido, el registro civil de defunción.

MATRIMONIO CON EXTRANJERO.
A. Para el nacional los mismos documentos indicados en el numeral 1.

B. Para el Extranjero Registro civil de nacimiento del contrayente, expedido con antelación no mayor a tres (3) meses a la fecha de la solicitud del matrimonio, con la debida traducción de ser necesario y la correspondiente apostille, certificado de soltería o sus equivalentes y Visa de cualquier clase o categoria o permiso de ingreso y permanencia expedido por el D.A.S.

Con la anterior documentación, se presentan los interesados quienes diligencian el formulario de solicitud. Si alguno de los interesados no puede asistir, debe otorgar poder especial bien sea para presentar la solicitud y documentación, y/o para la celebración del matrimonio.

TRAMITE:

Dado que uno de los contrayentes es extranjero, la notaria envía un edicto al funcionario competente del registro civil del lugar de nacimiento del extranjero, el que será fijado por cinco (5) días hábiles.

Vencido el término de fijación del edicto, el funcionario competente lo devuelve a la Notaría.

El trámite lo surte la Notaría por intermedio del Consulado más cercano a la oficina correspondiente.

EN CASO DE QUE ALGUNO DE LOS CONTRAYENTES NO PUEDA PRESENTARSE PERSONALMENTE:
FUNDAMENTO JURIDICO LEY 57 DEL /90, modificatoria Ley 57 de 1.887

Debe otorgar poder especial para presentar la solicitud y allegar la documentación, así mismo dentro del texto del poder expresar que es soltero(a) y no tener hijos e indicar si también se otorga para la celebración del matrimonio. Es muy importante indicar el nombre del varón o mujer con quien ha de celebrarse el matrimonio.

There is only one notary on San Andres; Rafael Mesa Acosta, Av.20 de julio No.8-53 phone number5122112 which is also his Telefax


"Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapults habebunt."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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vladimiro says on Feb 13, 2006, 13:15:

What does this section mean? TRAMITE:

Dado que uno de los contrayentes es extranjero, la notaria envía un edicto al funcionario competente del registro civil del lugar de nacimiento del extranjero, el que será fijado por cinco (5) días hábiles.

Vencido el término de fijación del edicto, el funcionario competente lo devuelve a la Notaría.

El trámite lo surte la Notaría por intermedio del Consulado más cercano a la oficina correspondiente.

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lpdiver says on Feb 14, 2006, 06:57:

NorwegianMale There are not different rules for different areas. The difference lies in the individual notaria. They have 100% control whether or not you get married.

It is their interpretation and enforcement of the rules that the differences arise. If for example you have most of the items required and the notaria believes you are legitamate they MAY overlook some minor detail or even a major requirement. Or they may be very anal retentive and require everything down to the smallest detail.

My point is decide where you want to be married then "shop" for the best notaria if necessary. Mine did not know the latest regulations when I married. I researched them and had a very respectful discussion about the requirements and asked her to explain the law (which I had printed and brought with me). She understood what my point was and agreed with my viewpoint. The laws change frequently there and believe it or not theymayhave never done an international marriage.

In summary the difference lies in the notaria not the region. However, there may be an abundance of lax notarias in particular regions. I found mine and faxed her my documents and she agreed that all was in order prior to my departure from the United States. That was a lot of peace of mind for a relatively small investment of time and money.

Antony

"cook some rice!"

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Gator says on Feb 14, 2006, 07:32:

My Take... This applies to a foreigner who wants to get married in Colombia. I think it deals with the "Certificate of Single-hood." Certificate of Single-hood issued by county records office or vital statistics office less than 90 days before wedding date, with Apostille from the Secretary of State office from the State which originated the document. I don't think the five-day requirement applies as that would require a trip by the notary to the Colombian Consulate and I don't see that happening The Certificate of Single-hood in Colombia means that you are single and NEVER MARRIED with no record of marriage. If that is not available then the divorce decree or death certificate is required. Most states have a central records depository and will issue the certificate on a state-wide basis.

This is why it so important to sit down with the notary or the pries, minster who performs the ceremony and determining EXACTLT what is needed. If it is a Catholic wedding it is what very the priest requires and the Colombian notary will accept the church certificate with no questions and certify the marriage in the civil records.

Lpdiver's advice it exactly what I have been trying to pound home-well done Anthony.






"Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapults habebunt."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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JMOON87 says on Feb 15, 2006, 07:22:

The loophole with San Andres The difference in san andres and getting married is they can make their own rules from what i understand - if you dont believe that try and buy and a condo or a piece of property there -they apparently have their own rules as it is difficult for even a colombian that was not born on the island to now buy property or to live on the island .I think the region may make a difference in San Andres .

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lpdiver says on Feb 15, 2006, 08:21:

That may be true However, my point is that I would not go there to get married just because it is perceived to be easier than say...Medellin. In other words if s notaria is unreasonable...get another one.

I had to do just that in Medellin. It wasn't a real big deal but I had an unreasonable notaria the first go around. The replacement was reasonable.

Over all the regulation are pretty clear...to me anyway.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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JMOON87 says on Feb 16, 2006, 09:50:

correct My point is if you are a american and you are not catholic and you wish to only provide your passport and not go through alot of red tape -you should look into it we researched and found 2 other couples that did and it was very easy for them . We had made plans to go there after our k1 but forgot that we were not supposed to be married when she entered the u.s ..good luck .

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lpdiver says on Feb 16, 2006, 10:54:

Jmoon You forgot that you were not supposed to be married? I take it you got busted by immigrations trying to enter the country? What happened then? Inquiring minds are curious.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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JMOON87 says on Feb 16, 2006, 16:55:

NO - YOU MISREAD NO! WE WERE NOT BUSTED - you misread, we had made plans to marry in san andres but did not follow through if we would of i would gave all the details of the process , we actually asked the embassy and they told us not to get married till we returned to colombia .We are now happily married and in the u.s. and just got the news last week that we are expecting our first child in september ...........but no one ever asked us if we were married at immigration in miami only told us she had 90 days to marry or go home .good luck to all

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2retirensa says on Feb 17, 2006, 09:18:

I just got married on San Andres Hello to all
It has been a while since I posted. Now in Bogota. Got married Feb.1 on San andres with only my passport. NO PROBLEM. We arrived on Mon.morning, gave the notory the info Mon. afternoon, and went back on Wed.to be married. This was to simple and no red tape!! Only one notory on the island.
Came to Bogota and had my cedula in one day. DAS here is much more cooperative than in Cali. Some of you already know the details, for others, we will be living in Bogota, not Armenia as originally planned.
Best to all, and thanks to all who sent messages. I have been very busy and need to use internet cafes- very inconvenient.

Maureen

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JMOON87 says on Feb 18, 2006, 07:26:

Thanks , when we return we are going to marry there also - when we spoke to the notary is just so much more easy for the american citizen .

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dave_travels says on Mar 16, 2006, 22:26:

I am seeking any Canadians that got married on San Andres Island I am seeking any Canadians that got married in SAI and have started the Immigration process with the Canadian government. I am curious on how the process is going.

The lawyer on the other side of the window at the Canadian Embassy gave me some very serious advise about SAI. Should there be any problem with the marriage certificate, one's spouse may become inadmissable. I wonder if there has been any other Canadians that have broken trails with the immigration process with a "made in SAI" marriage certificate? I am getting cold feet about SAI.

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JMOON87 says on Mar 17, 2006, 07:16:

ONE LAST TIME Ok , let me try this one last time ...Ok , we filed for the k1 and had our k1 interview in december 2005 -we planned on going to san andres afterwards and getting married in colombia to celebrate - i asked the officer that interviewed us after our k1 was approved if this was ok and she said "NO" because we would be entering the u.s. on a unmarried fiance visa so if we married we would need to reapply for the k3..So we did not follow thru with getting married because after 6 months we were not gonna do anything to risk her k1 visa but we did confirm with the notary all i needed was my passport -my wife needed her paperwork from where she was born updated to within 60days .....So to sum it up we had no problems with immigration because we did nothing wrong and we plan on marrying in san andres our next trip to colombia if possible

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lawyerincolombia says on Jul 14, 2006, 12:09:

Lawyer in Cali Colombia I am a certified lawyer in Colombia. My name is Carlos Arturo Dorado and I can help to you about inmigration and legal problems in Colombia.
I am located in Cali Colombia.

Best regards:
Carlos Dorado
http://nicelatinladies.com/abogado.html

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Moorla says on Jul 15, 2006, 00:12:

Please let me know how you get on..... I am a U.k. male in exactly the same position as you. I am hoping to marry next june, but want to get all the info together now.
Good luck mate.

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Lovelysanandres says on Jul 15, 2006, 08:54:

I willing to help any body..about wedding in SAN ANDRES ISLAND Hello, there everyone, I'm a former wedding planner in Sam Andres Island, I had been helping many couples since last year where the law started to get married with few documents (law 915 of october 21/2004-- Art 57) and make their wish come true, of course you Can get married as easy only passport need it, I had plan the wedding alreday of many couples in here Colombians-americans,
Colombian- Italinas, Canadians with canadians, Costaricans with Colombians and the law is simple and not hassle, the fact is you can come to married easy in SAI but married in a dark , simple office that is too sad......San Andres has wonderfull beach & places & a wonderfull sea where you can celebrate your wedding, this is one the most important moments of your life and it needs to be memorable..I help you with that, all the weddings we help where in wonderfull places and our notary is so helpfull even we had wedding underwater...really nice that's for aventures, the most important thing is ..you come here straight to married..we get in charge of everything..all the arregments and not worries for you.and can be not expensive all depend of what you want... please for any info do not hesitate in contac me, for any info need it, don't you worried, o questions..not compromise, also I can show you some videos we had on line of weddings we had done. My email is calijan at yahoo.com, I'm on the yahoo messanger or in the msn messanger as info at sanandresnoblehouse.com, or skipe..for anything...
All the best

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Bluesdude says on Mar 29, 2008, 11:06:

I got married in San Andres two years ago with only my passport. Two weeks later, got my visa and cedula in Bogota. About to become a resident. No problems at all.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

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