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Question about Colombian Visa, Cedula, and Military card

I was born in Cali,Colombia and brought to the states when I was 6 months old. I returned for 1 year when I was 3 and never been back since. I recently (May 22,2008) Finally got my US Citizenship completed. I have always wanted to make a trip back to the home country but always heard horror stories about the paperwork needed to be done as a citizen of Colombia.... I thought once I was naturalized it would be a much easier process. I called the consulate in Miami this morning and found out that I was very very wrong. Apparently if I understood the gal correctly I actually need to go throught he process of getting all of my paperwork processed Cedula, military card, the works. She also mentioned something about the fact that since I am now 32 and passed the age of 25 thi process could take 2 to 5 years. Is this correct? Has anyone else had to go thruogh this? What made me think of it was when I got my US Passport and it showed my country of origin Colombia.. Any help wuld be great. It hought I would take my 2 weeks vacation at the end of this year down there but does not look good.

Thanks
Juan Miguel

By ejg398 on Jul 16, 2008, 18:58 in Visa & paperwork.

coffee beaner says on Jul 16, 2008, 19:45:

I don't see how that is possible, I was born in the States and it only took me a year took get a cedula... and that passport I got it within a month, if you have your registro de nacimiento from Colombia I don't think its a problem for you to get a cedula or passport, I might be wrong but it sound like BS to me.

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coffee beaner says on Jul 16, 2008, 19:46:

Btw if you are only coming for 2 weeks just use your US passport anyway, they give you 60 days to be in the country.

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mcheasley says on Jul 16, 2008, 20:13:

Do a PBH search on this subject... I think i have seen this same situation on here in the past... Good luck!

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 16, 2008, 21:51:

Since you are a US citizen, it is none of the Colombian custom's (DAS) business that you were actually physically born in Colombia. If you don't tell them, they won't know. Feel free to travel to Colombia with your US Passport. You are a US citizen - period. Now, if you desire to obtain your Colombian documents which you have every right to do, go for it. But why make a mountain out of a mole hill if you want to visit now, by volunteering information that you are a natural born Colombian citizen without cedula, etc? It's more information than you need to give the guys at the airport. Keep your mouth shut at the airport, and you will be fine. And have fun!

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Gator says on Jul 17, 2008, 06:09:

"If you don't tell them, they won't know" Unless they happened to notice your US Passport which will show Colombia as your place of birth.

Never heard of the process taking that long as long as you have the proper paperwork. Even if you get questioned by DAS at POE you really should not have any trouble. If you do go to Colombia I would get all the paperwork, birth cirtificates, etc. from the notary then apply when you return. For two weeks don't sweat it.

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

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