Renew Spousal Visa

Lowell says on Sep 18, 2007, 14:32:

When we renewed my SV/CE we went to the Notary where we registered our marriage for our certified copy. The Notary systems in Colombia aren't (to my limited knowledge) electronicly connected to a main system. After obtain our copy, we traveled to Bogota and got my second SV/CE. Just to be on the safe side we took all our origional paperwork from our first application. When the current 2 yr term is up and I have a total of 3 yrs residence in Colombia, I believe that then I can then apply for my permanent Cedula. And finally get a bank account and some merchant cards.

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

calipro says on Sep 18, 2007, 16:09:

I just got my visa renewed at MRE.

All I needed was certified copy of our colombian marriage certificate and a letter from her saying that she wanted me to stay in Colombia with her.

She accompanied me to the MRE so the statement didn't have to be notorized but if you are going without your wife it will need to be.

It took five hours of waiting to get the visa.

Lowell

I have a cedula extrajeria and I opened a bank account a couple of years ago.

Gator says on Sep 18, 2007, 16:19:

Should have been filed where the marriage took place. Our marriage certificate from the church was also notarized at the same time-if yours was it should have the name and number of the notary on the stamp.Has to say which notary it was without knowing the city6-Bogotá has something like forty

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

RonDubya says on Sep 18, 2007, 16:48:

Thanks, folks, for the input. Guess I should have given a little more information with my question.

We were married in the US before we came to Colombia. The marrige was less than 90 days old, so the Colombian Embassy in Miami completed the "Registro Civil de Matrimonio" to make it legal in Colombia. That document apparently got sent to Bogota (to the Notary 1 office, I assume). I am told that I must have a copy of that document, made less than 90 days prior to my application for renewal. In Miami I purchased 2 official copies of the certificate, but they are no good - the copy must be less than 90 days old. What I am trying to find out is exactly where that Notary #1 is. Maybe I will have to spend another hour and a half trying to contact MRE again (my own fault - of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most).

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Lowell says on Sep 18, 2007, 17:11:

calipro, what bank please?

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

calipro says on Sep 18, 2007, 21:03:

Well, when I got my bank account it was Conavi but BanColombia has since bought them out.

If you are living in Cali, I'd try the branch in the back of Chipichape.

Lowell says on Sep 19, 2007, 06:32:

BanColombia was a no go. Weren't even interested in talking or explaining. WTF it's like gringos are the ones who caused money laundering problems. The same goes with merchant cards. Colombia banks and merchants are losing out on very valuable customers. In all, Colombian businesses lack basic common business sence. Inventory? What fool who continually sells out of a product wouldn't step up the quanities of their orders! Also, most employees do not even know their products. That was very apparent the last time I went looking for a copier/printer. The sale person was completely clueless. Al la orden? What crap.

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

Gator says on Sep 19, 2007, 07:06:

Bad news-if the marriage was done in a country, other than than Colombia you MUST us the Registro Civil de Matrimonio from the consulate along with the state-issued marriage certificate. The notary in Colombia can not and will not register a "foreign" marriage. The consulate should have issued the proper paper work and validated the marriage certificate in Miami and given them to you. GOOD NEWS you are only renewing so that can be done at MRE Bogota.

(a side note: If you marry first in another country, say the USA, and then have a church wedding IN Colombia, Colombia will only recognize the first, USA, marriage and that is the one that will be certified at the consulate. This is based on the sound principle you can only be married once unless a divorce is involved.)

You need to go, as you stated, to Noteria # 1 in Bogotá aCL. 16 N. 4-62. I would call first at 481.2211 or 286.4266. Since you have your first visa issued It is likely all the Noteria will do is stamp your copies and then you will use those to renew.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Gator says on Sep 19, 2007, 07:07:

Lowell, do you every look back at Panama and compair it to Colombia?

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

RonDubya says on Sep 19, 2007, 07:27:

Thanks, Gator. Yes, the consulate in Miami did the Colombian regristration, and sold me 2 official validated copies of the certificate. So.... I am hoping to arrive in Bogota early in the morning, go to the notary, go to MRE, and have it all done the same day. Perhaps Murphy's Law has too many opportunities with that plan, so I will be prepared to stay one night in Bogota. When everything gets done, I will tell the complete story - beginning with the first visa and finishing with the renewal of the cedula - if anyone is interested. I realize that every situation is different, but some may benefit from my experience. Thanks to all who helped.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

RonDubya says on Sep 19, 2007, 08:05:

Called the notary, they said it takes 2 days. Ouch.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

robi666 says on Sep 19, 2007, 08:23:

Lowell, if you know the manager you can open a bank account with your passport (and even easier with the comprovante of the cedula). Find someone to introduce you.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

calipro says on Sep 19, 2007, 09:29:

Lowell

I'm not the only one that has opened a bank account with a cedula extranjeria.

What city are you in?

Gator says on Sep 19, 2007, 10:16:

I'm betting if you get there early it will not take that long then streak over to MRE by Parque 93 an if you are REAL lucky one day might do it-but then Colombia es Colombia.

Good luck

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Lowell says on Sep 19, 2007, 10:51:

Calipro, I'm in Cartago.

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

Lowell says on Sep 19, 2007, 11:48:

Gator, All the time. Of course both have positives and negatives.

Positives for Colombia are, but are not limited to, the climate where I live is more in tune to some of what I grew up with in So. Calif, transito doesn't set traps here, fruit here more abundant, bakeries better here, doing the MRE/Das dance here for my residency easier, less gringos, easier to buy meds without script, general feeling of being less constrained, elderly assistance/care cheaper and better, not a big interest for terrorists, better military/police presence, general public services better (street sweepers, street lights work, trash service 3x a week...)

Negatives for Colombia are but are not limited too, sometimes feel powerless or risky to confront people who have screwed me or my family, limited access to rural areas, beer and rum 2x more expensive, basic services seem to always go out in the afternoon/early evenings, machos with bad attitudes who severly need an attitude adjustment with a baseball bat, few available women who don't live with family, too many temptations to eat,

Positives for Panama are......, dollar economy, great cheese, cheap/good beer and rum. Tequilla to better priced, better ocean fishing, rural areas safe Zona Libre/free Trade Zone in Colon, pensionado program, fresh fish reasonably priced, good pizza, good prices on cell phone cards,

Negatives for Panama......, climate, screw you attitude called huego vivo/a (more of a problem that the few macho's that are in Colombia), too much red tape, too many gringos, too many gringos with problems or are scamers, turning into another Costa Rica, Govt and some of the public, anti USA (duh, we did invade them not so long ago), loss of military and turn over of Panama Canal economically has hurt many, more trip hazzards for walkers, ripe for a terrorist attack in the Canal or Panama City, Taxis/busses,

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head

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