Planning a wedding in Colombia

antifreeze says on Aug 15, 2005, 12:15:

Serious warning Warning: Do not come to Colombia on a tourist visa to get married, you need a special visa to get married here.

Although I did this (come on a tourist visa and got married and left the country without problem), I was made aware of that fact after. So, you may want to call the Colombian consulate in Miami or in New-York and specifically ask about that.

By not being here physically, your participation in your own wedding will most probably have to be limited. get a digital camera and send it to her. Instead of telling her: "buy a cake", tell her "take pictures of cakes that are possible to buy and send me the pictures (with prices) over the net". If she doesn't have a digital camera already, buy her one (a gift for her help with the wedding). If she doesn't have the Internet already, get it hooked for her. I think that's the only way you won't have a bad time through the experience. As for shooting the entire ceremony, this is typical here.

Congratulations and good luck!

Freeze

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sonagul says on Aug 15, 2005, 12:36:

what is wrong with tourist visa to get married in Colombia? First of all, thanks a lot for your response.
OK, now i am concerned ...what are the repercussions of getting married in Colombia while on tourist visa? Also, do Americans need a visa at all to go to Colombia?
Also, about civil marriage. What are the steps and may be further warnings? What documents are required? Any advance notice? I am afraid of bureaucracy on my wedding day.

Thanks for your comments!!!

Sonya

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bob777 says on Aug 15, 2005, 12:45:

I just got married in Palmira... Palmira, is just northeast of Cali. Anyways, There is no problem coming into Colombia without a marriage visa. A while back, there used to be a necessity for a marriage visa, but recently in the past year or so, the requirement has been lifted. I just got married the 3rd of June, and with the Notary in Palmira with such attention to detail, I am certain he would have not let me get married, if I needed such a Visa.

In summary, don't worry. Just make sure you get all of your paperwork in order, as required by the notary, and you be fine.

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antifreeze says on Aug 15, 2005, 12:51:

I got married in 1998, so my information maybe out of date Still, call the consulate, this maybe safer.

Personally, if I'd run a country, I would also ask for a marriage visa. Without that, a country could end-up having to offer residency/nationality to anyone on the basis that they are married to a Colombian (I could well imagine a person that has been in prison for 20 years getting his marriage visa denied).

That being said, my information is from 1998 and may well be outdated. Give a quick call to the consulate and just ask if there's something that is not that obvious that you may need to know about. Although the rules may have changed in your favor since my own marriage, there's nothing that prevent the Colombia government from changing the rules again, but this time not in your favor - leaving you dead in the water.

Good luck

Freeze

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sydneygirl says on Aug 15, 2005, 15:53:

Hi Sonya You are automaticlly issued a 1 month visa which you can renew for a total of 6 months total during the period of a year.

As of May 2004 the law changed and you CAN I repeat CAN get married on a tourist
visa......But you must have all you documents e.g Stat declaration stating you are not already married by someone who has known you longer than 10 years (family), must be "apostilled" in you country also the same for you birth certificate.

I know this because I am in a bind where I did not get mine "apostilled" (Stamped) and so Im am trying to work out what to do. I found a web site

www.bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsmare.shtml

which is about americans and Im not american im australian but it gives you really good info.
Just scroll down to "colombian civil law requirments" and you will see my information is current and correct.
Good Luck.

P.S I get my hair done with "john" at "Harveys salon" on 138 with carre 102, its not expensive but not cheap and if you get your spanish speaking partner to say exactly what you want he is great! he does my colors great, I have ash blond hair with highlights, thats a hard one for them here.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 15, 2005, 16:45:

The marriage visa is a thing of the past. Back when I got married in Colombia, you needed it but they changed the law. You can get married on a tourist visa which you receive when you enter the country. The notarias vary widely in what they require and whether they require translations and apostilles. Some are absolute sticklers while others are more lax. Best to check with your local notaria and shop around if necessary.

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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bogota says on Aug 15, 2005, 21:59:

Colombian Marriage Visa As of Feb. 1st of this year the Colombian marriage visa was eliminated. However, the word has not trickled down to some of the notraias, talk to a notary that seems to be updated on Colombia laws.

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