PBH / Colombia / Forums (active) Travelguide Cheap hostels Pictures

Requirements for the civil marriage of a Colombianita with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course)

I have just completed a survey of Medellin notaries about their requirements for the civil marriage of a local girl with a foreign man (or vice versa, of course).

In Colombia, the word notaria means a notary's office, while notario refers to the notary. Therefore on the web you will find lists of notarias. Each notaria has a number, using ordinal numbers, ie first, second etc., with reference to its city.

My survey was conducted by telephone from UK and my friend Vicente from Argentina spoke to the notarias. The person you speak to is an assistant or secretary, as the notary himself is busy being a notary.

I worked with a list of about 16 notarias in Medellin, of which I was unable to contact two. Some notarias simply said they do not handle marriages involving foreigners. The following notarias said this: 8, 9, 12 and 16. All of these referred me to another notaria. Therefore I surveyed 10 notarias that I was able to reach and who actually do these marriages. However, one of these said they were "cupo completo" until November. It seems each notaria is given a quota of marriage coupons and once they are used they have to wait for the next lot. So I was down to 9.

I can confirm that the different notaries do ask for different things. Furthermore, they typically decide they want something additional if you get back to them and start asking questions.

The requirements of all the notarias had some things in common, as follows:

1) my passport. Some just want to see my passport (note that some passports already include Spanish translation) with my entry stamp. Others wanted it apostilled (legalised) which in the UK is done by the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office). However, the FCO do not apostille passports! The answer is to make a copy of the passport, get a UK notary to vouch for the copy, then the FCO will apostille the copy. Needless to say, I will use a notary who only needs my passport.

[Note: the Spanish for apostille is apostilla or La Apostilla de La Haya]

Note that the FCO warns that it takes 1 - 2 weeks to legalise documents, depending on traffic, and costs 28 pounds sterling per document. However mine were returned within the week.

2) my birth certificate. Having searched pbh about this stuff, I had previously got the impression that you have to get a new official copy of your birth certificate not more than 90 days before the wedding, and then get it apostilled. However, this seems to be incorrect. It doesn't seem to matter how old your birth certficate is, it is only the apostille that needs to be fresh. But don't rely on this - always check.

3) my divorce decree, apostilled.

4) when you have items 2 and 3, you have to get them translated. You should get this done in Colombia by a translator recommended by your notary - that way you know he'll accept it. With some notaries you can fax them the legalised documents and they will arrange translation and then check them. You will have to pay for this in advance.

5) Once you get the translated and legalised documents to the notaria and have applied for the marriage and paid the COP 6,000 fee, you have a delay of 5 working days or 8 straight days before you can marry. On the wedding day further fees will approx. COP 100,000.

The date of the apostilles should be less than 90 days prior to the wedding date.

However, there are also different requirements for different notarias. For example, some require some form of evidence of singlehood. Some will accept the divorce decree for this, others require the UK Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage, which takes up to 4 weeks to get, and costs 30 pounds sterling, plus I attended 3 appointments at my local registrar before I managed to give them all the info they required. Other notarias may accept other evidence.

There is also a variety of requirements where children are involved. I will not go into that here.

Then there are the requirements for the Colombiana:

1) Cedula plus photocopy. If she doesn't have one, she needs a special contraseña
which says it's valid for a civil wedding (plus photocopy)

2) Copy of folio from the civil register of births which says it is valid for a civil wedding - so she has to get this specially from the registrar in her place of birth. Make sure she gets enough official copies: one for wedding, one for contraseña, one for cedula, one for passport, etc - depending on her needs.

3) Declaration of Solteria (singlehood) done before a notary, eg the one who's doing the wedding.

These documents should not be dated more than 30 days before the wedding, but this needs to be clarified.

Clearly there will be other requirements if she has been married before or has children.

I am not too keen on naming names (or rather ordinal numbers) here, as my info may not be definitive. However, if anyone really needs more info, feel free to PM me.

By tabla on Oct 10, 2009, 00:51 in Friendly Talkzone.

Panama says on Oct 10, 2009, 04:16:

You think Medellin has tough requirements ? Try doing it in Bogota. There you must also publish ad ad in the national newspaper for 7 - 10 days before the marriage plus all the other things they want. which are what you mentioned.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 10, 2009, 06:17:

The Colombians are protective of most of their National Treasures. Chicas, Oro,Esmeraldas, Plata, fosiles, artifacts etc.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

1 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 10, 2009, 07:32:

Nice information but I would point out there are 31 notaries in Medellin. Because Colombian marriage laws leave room for interpretation, marriage requirements sometimes vary from notary to notary. Once you select a notary, it is important to find out what he/ she will require. You can use any notary, so if yours makes unrealistic demands, you may want to "notary shop" to find one whose requirements meet your circumstances. Thus my standing advice-FIND YOUR NOTARY FIRST.

Panama: The publication requirement is a hold over from "The Banns of Marriage." from the Catholic Church. In general it is the ecclesiastical announcement of the names of persons contemplating marriage. Its object is to discover any impediments to a proposed marriage; incidentally, it makes known to all duly interested in the latter the fact of its near celebration. Basically used if there is any doubt of previous marriages. I think, at least in Bogota, notice is sent to the central registry and posted for five day. Kinda like a "speak now or forever hold your peace" announcement by the preacher. If you have a catholic wedding in Colombia the banns will probably be announced in church for five Sundays and posted. Perhaps this is where the publication requirement comes from.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 3 helpful.

tabla says on Oct 10, 2009, 09:32:

Just to clarify one point. Sure you call around and choose your notary. But because they typically add to the requirements on further discussion, your first choice may change. The one who requires the least initially may just be the one who is too lazy to be totally accurate. I suggest that you make a list of the extra requirements of the more demanding and specifically confirm with the one you are thinking of choosing that those extra things are not required. It's a good way to avoid mistakes, which is essential.

GregYohn: As I said: 5) Once you get the translated and legalised documents to the notaria and have applied for the marriage and paid the COP 6,000 fee, you have a delay of 5 working days or 8 straight days before you can marry.

I also write for the archive.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 10, 2009, 11:12:

Yes, I don't know why some notarios unnecessarily complicate things – to charge more?

Having gotten married in Colombia less than 2 weeks ago, and whilst this is sill fresh in my mind, I had to give the notario:

- a photocopy of the pages of my passport on which my name and photo appeared. Since I showed him my ORIGINAL passport at the same time, the photocopy did NOT have to be apostilled or translated

- a Birth Certificate. This had to be apostilled AND translated into Spanish

- a “Certificado de Solteria”. This also had to be apostilled and translated into Spanish

Optional: A copy of your divorce certificate (apostilled and translated into Spanish)

ALL dated documents must be less than 90 days old (see below).

Banns must be published in the country and place of RESIDENCE. If you reside officially in Colombia, you can publish the banns in the office of the notario that will marry you (for one week). If you reside officially abroad, then check the requirements of your own country.

Personally, I had all my documents apostilled in France. Since the apostille date will likely be the most recent one, the 90 days requirement start from that date (the most recent one). I then had them translated in Colombia by a translator whom the notario knew (this helps things in case of problems). Finally, I gave all the documents to the notario about 2 weeks before the wedding – it took him 5 minutes to check them out in front of me.

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

0 funny, 0 helpful.

sanandressi says on Oct 10, 2009, 12:09:

Unless you live in Colombia like Bill Turley I would NOT recommend marrying a woman in Colombia. Don't know if England has it but get her a FIANCE Visa and give her a trial period before deciding to marry. Oh well, to each their own!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 10, 2009, 12:12:

Darloup, didn't you have to take some document to Bogotá that you obtained from a notary in Barranquilla and have it re authenticated? If so what was the name of that office and it's location?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 10, 2009, 12:56:

Gator, I had to go to Bogotá to get my marriage registered with the French authorities. It is they who required an apostillated copy of the (Colombian) marriage certificate and an apostillated copy of Nelly's birth certificate.

The marriage certificate was issued by a notary in Barranquilla and, before being able to apostille it, I had to get it authenticated by the “Superintendencia de Notario y Registro” (calle 26 #13-49 second floor). This is done immediately and free of charge.

Nelly's birth certificate was issued by a "registrador" in Santo Tomas and, before being able to apostille it, I had to get it authenticated by the “Registraduría nacional” (Avenida El Dorado #46-20 CAN). The wait is 24 hours for this.

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

1 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 10, 2009, 14:37:

OK Your previous post on this matter sounded like it was something required by Colombia before you could marry-you did not mentioned it was need by the French consulate to recognize the marriage in France. All those that attempted to help were, I think, thoroughly confused.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

1 funny, 0 helpful.

ddluzdelsol says on Oct 10, 2009, 15:10:

What if you are a widow (or widower). Will you need his (or her) death certificate?

Christmas and New Years in Ibague!!

1 funny, 0 helpful.

ddluzdelsol says on Oct 10, 2009, 16:12:

SORRY GREGYOHN... I was wondering about his death certificate because it's not something I travel with... I'm not planning on getting married anytime soon, but thought maybe somebody would know or somebody else who is a widow(er) would know... again SORRY

Christmas and New Years in Ibague!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tabla says on Oct 10, 2009, 16:23:

In my case my first wife died and my second wife was divorced. None of the notarias asked for the death certificate.

I also write for the archive.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Oct 10, 2009, 18:20:

My wife was a widow and they wanted her first husband's death certificate.

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.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

RAAAY says on Oct 10, 2009, 18:43:

UTC................ Your wife was a widow..?? Sorry to hear that, but it just goes to show how life can deal such a varied hand. Wasn't she so lucky to meet such a gentleman as yourself. What a lucky lady.

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

0 funny, 0 helpful.

theflatline says on Oct 10, 2009, 22:13:

A notary in Colombia is an attorney, and is like the clerk of courts in the US. And like any Colombian business/office some do business one way, and some do it in others. And like Gator says, they interpret the law either to make money or cover their asses.

All notaries travel to the beat of their own drum, and experiences will vary. Best to ask the notary.

Greg, being a fiancee is a promise to get married, you do not have to get married. It is certainly a trial period. And advisable in many cases. You do not come out and say trial period you say lets get engaged, you come to my country and we see if you are able to live here without your family and your culture, we live together, and then god willing we will get married and be together forever. A perfectly reasonable request. If she balks, then you have sorted out an issue without wasting a good bit of time and money plus heartache.

Tabla, if a grown woman in Colombia does not have a Cedula, run in the other direction screaming.

Also, employees who work in any office in any office in Colombia cannot be relied on for the correct data. Ask three different people in any office, and you will get three different answers. Colombians rely on empirical data. Something they have seen or heard before, and they usually fuck it up.

Plus, do not trust faxing anything, hand carry it, wait in line, sit on a bench, have it done in front of you.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

2 funny, 2 helpful.

Algo Mas says on Oct 11, 2009, 08:29:

"Greg, being a fiancee is a promise to get married, you do not have to get married. It is certainly a trial period. And advisable in many cases. You do not come out and say trial period you say lets get engaged, you come to my country and we see if you are able to live here without your family and your culture, we live together, and then god willing we will get married and be together forever. A perfectly reasonable request. If she balks, then you have sorted out an issue without wasting a good bit of time and money plus heartache."

This makes sense, however, playing the role for another 3 months would not be difficult if there's motivation

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 11, 2009, 09:35:

Flatline, in my experience way too many Gringos equate a notary in Colombia with those they are familiar with in the USA. BIG MISTAKE!!! As you posted, and I have said in the past, these are PROFESSIONAL persons and attorneys. Before appointment extensive training is needed and a certification examination is required. Example, in Florida you take a three hour course which can be taken on-line pass an on-line course then, if you pass (ha! ha!) you can print your notary certificate from the same site.

The fact that in Bogotá proper, a city of roughly 6.5 million, there are 77 notaries should be a clue on how hard it is to get this appointment..

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 1 helpful.

theflatline says on Oct 11, 2009, 09:40:

Gator,

My father has his law offices in a building in Manizales where the notary has three floors full of employees always working. He spends quite a time there, and has always made it very clear to me that it is the utmost of importance to court favor with them, because they can make or break you.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 11, 2009, 09:43:

Show your ass and you can sit on that bench for a longggggggggggg time.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

lpdiver says on Oct 12, 2009, 08:18:

At the end of the day I faxed my notaria all the supposed information that she required and all was well. I did of course have to bring it and present it for the marriage.

The notaria had numerous errors in the paper work which I read and corrected. The major one being the date of the wedding. My wife was very firm with her about that! She required absolutely none of the paper work mentioned if their were children by a previous marriage.

She did get very pissed at my wife starting the wedding about an hour late! I have it on tape. I didn't understand it at the time; but, pissed is a universal language.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jb_fastpitch says on Oct 13, 2009, 06:58:

I really hate paperwork! This all sounds so intimidating, and I am still working on my divorce.
Thank you all for the information. Hopefully it will help me maintain sanity as I navigate the official beaurocracy.
I am still stateside and have not yet even applied for a visa. I wonder if I could get a resident visa on the basis of my social security income? That way I could work out the wedding part without fear of being kicked out of the country if something goes wrong.

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

lpdiver says on Oct 13, 2009, 11:38:

JB you will be cool...just break the process down to small steps and take care of one step at a time. I was quoted ten grand and no guarentees. I did it all myself with zero problems.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jb_fastpitch says on Oct 13, 2009, 12:50:

What is the possibility of a retirement visa based on SS income?

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 13, 2009, 18:40:

JB Fast pitch, No such thing, per se, as a retirement visa: its called a pensionado visa. MRE in Bogotá is much easier to deal with than a consulate. Anything over about $800 USD per month (some times less) is usually acceptable but ONLY if the funds come from a government entity. The American Citizens Services Unit at the Embassy in Bogota will issue letters certifying that you are receiving social security benefits. MRE will accept that letter as proof of income and if it has been legalized- That office is fairly close to MRE on the north end of Bogotá near Parque 93. If you have all the needed paper work you will be out of MRE in less than a day. Visa in hand head for DAS in Bogotá for your cédula and pick that up the next day.. Not FREE that I know of (could be wrong) cost is $175 USD. The embassy also has agreements on direct deposit for federal pension payments at the two Bogotá banks, BanColombia and Banco de Bogota. You have 15 days after arriving in Colombia to register withDAS asnd get a cédula or if issued at MRE Bogotá 15 days from tha date the visa is issued.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jb_fastpitch says on Oct 14, 2009, 08:50:

Wow! Thanks Gator! I think if I retire in May my social security will be at 1850 gross. That should qualify as a government pension. Does BanColumbia have branches in Manizales? That is where I plan to live.
Thanks again.

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 14, 2009, 09:26:

I THINK that direct deposit only applies to a Bogotá branch but there is one one Manizales at Carrera 23 No 59 - 111 Av. r
Teléfono: [6] 878 38 70, Fax: [6] 881 01 67. Bancolombia has a Miami branch so you might call them at 305) 373-1634
and ask if you can have a direct SSN deposit there than a transfer from Miami to BC in Manizales. Colombian banks will some times sit on fund for as much a 20/25 days to get the best float.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tabla says on Oct 14, 2009, 12:05:

alSapo - how kind of you to ask! I am not one to cause too much jealosy, you know. Nor one to show off, especially before the big day. I will however let you into one secret - I am breaking all the rules so carefully laid out here on pbh by those wiser than me - and so you could say I am taking a big gamble - but I feel strongly that I am doing the right thing or at least I have no choice. So it will be an adventure with hopefully a happy ending. Anyway I am enjoying the ride. Maybe I will share after 12 nov. Especially if I receive a lot of support on this site. Thanks again for your interest.

I also write for the archive.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

tabla says on Oct 14, 2009, 12:06:

Also I only seem to have pics of her at the pool...

I also write for the archive.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tabla says on Oct 14, 2009, 12:35:

Gracias!

I also write for the archive.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Cali2005 says on Oct 14, 2009, 19:22:

Lots of paperwork for me; fedex sure made alot. The papers didnt costs much but by the time you use overnight mail several times to send stuff to colombia you will be licking your wounds.

I had to wait 5 days to get my marraige done after i had all the papers ready. then it took several days before the actual final marriage document (escritura) was ready , which i needed to take to MRE in Bogota. I think i went to the Notary 17.

They kept insisting on a soltero certification from the states, but i had been living here for 4 years non stop and had been married here before so they let me slide on that with help of my attorney.

The certificate of soltero is a bit stupid as its just a state wide check, and doesnt apply to the whole country. Just like the police record checks they run which Colombia requires. These are background checks that are run at the city level, so you could be wanted for murder in another city but it wont show anything 30 miles away, because your not wanted in the other city.

lots of rules, paper work, laws, which really have a good intentions but really just make things more complicated and dont stop the real bad people.

Medellin Apartments and Tours http://www.ParadiseRealtyMedellin.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 14, 2009, 19:48:

Seventeen, If that's the one in Suba, Victoria Consuelo is usually easy to work with

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cstew47 says on Oct 22, 2009, 14:49:

I started going the Notary route but it was becouing very time consuming and complicated. We finally decided to to find a church. It was much less complicated. Even though neither my wife nor I are Catholic, we found a catholic church that married us with less complication.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 22, 2009, 18:51:

cstew-very unusual and did a Catholic priest officiate and will the church issue a marriage certificate? Don't forget-you will still have to register the marriage with the local notary where it took place for it to be valid on Colombia.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

apeters says on Oct 22, 2009, 19:31:

yes...I dont understand that at all. A catholic wedding vs getting married in a notary where you only have to provide a minimal number of documents??? Id go for the notary style all the way...Ive heard catholic marriages are a very very complicated process.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 22, 2009, 20:07:

You posted, "I am going to Bogota for my spouse visa." Then on Oct 22, 2009. You posted, "I want to adopt the daughter of my wife. We have been married for two years and the daughter is 13."

Something is not right-explain please- I know the church will not marry you twice and you posted you have been married for two YEARS..

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cstew47 says on Oct 23, 2009, 03:09:

Ok, for clarification,

1) Yes, believe it or not, the church wedding was less complicated than the civil ceremony that was to be performed by the
Notary that we talked with. The marriage was duly registered with a Notary and was the basis for my Hogar Visa.
2) We were married in 2007, but, I lived in the US for the following year and a half traveling back and forth until I got my
affairs in order and moved to Colombia. I got my Hogar and Proprietario Visas in August. Now I am trying to begin the
adoption process. I hope this clarifies my situation.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 09:51:

"I got my Hogar and Proprietario Visas in August.": cstew47

You have two valid Visas at the same time?

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 23, 2009, 09:53:

Unanswered:

Did a Catholic priest do the ceremony?
Who issued the marriage certificate?
What paperwork did the church require?

Thanks

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 09:59:

Hey, Gator, i thought only one valid visa can be held. You ever heard of two of them valid at the same time?

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Oct 23, 2009, 10:43:

To my knowledge no. The usualy course of action would be to request the hogar be amended.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 10:45:

i thought so too....the hogar would be amended for work purposes. hmmmm......

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cstew47 says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:32:

Gentlemen, for some reason there's is a large dose of skeptcism regarding my comments. Yes, I have two visas at the same time. When I went for the Hogar and Proprietorio, I didn't have the correct paperwork so I was only granted an Hogar. I returned a week later with the correct paperwork and was granted the second visa. Both of which are affixed to my passport. Yes, a Catholic priest performed the ceremony. The required documents were the usual, birth certificate, certificate of sinlgeness, past divorces or death certificates, cedula copies. C'mon guys, why would I make this up?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:43:

i am not saying you are making it up. Just there are some doubts about having two. My guess is your proprietario visa cancelled out your hogar visa.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:54:

Just called MRE in Bogota and the person said a foreigner can only have 1 valid visa at a time, and the "Hogar Visa" does not exist. It is the Spousal Visa, which being "hogar" does not allow the gringo spouse to work. the Spousal Visa can be modified to allow the gringo to work and do things other than being a housewife/househusband. The Propretario Visa is a separate Visa, with different benefits/disadvantages attached. They also said the most current Visa, the Propretario Visa in your case, is the only valid Visa. the Hogar was invalidated with the issuance of the more recent Propritario.

Hope that makes sense. Take if for what its worth, as tomorrow MRE may say something completely different. =)

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cstew47 says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:59:

No comment was made regarding cancellation of the Hogar - and it does say Hogar on the visa. Maybe the Proprietario does supercede it, but, I am currently holding both. As you said, the rules seem to be very fluid.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 13:07:

cstew47: under Type/Category upper left corner what does it say? on the same line, what is the Code letters?
also, what does it say for occupation (ie, negocios and/or a comany name?)

Has anyone seen what they do the Spousal Visa when amended to permit work? Do they alter the Spousal Visa in any way? or just write/stamp the adjacent pages?

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cstew47 says on Oct 23, 2009, 14:20:

After looking at my Visa again, I see that they stamped "Invalid" on the Hogar. Apparently they did that when they issued the Proprietario. Interesting, The Proprietario Visa has code TC and has my business name listed below. So apparently the second one supercedes the Hogar.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 14:26:

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 23, 2009, 16:09:

As a newly-wed in Colombia, and now living in Colombia, I'm going to apply for my legitimate "visa de conjugue". Nowhere on a Consular site did I ever come across an official "hogar' visa.

As I mentioned in another thread here on PBH, no-one could confirm if a proper "visa de conjugue" (to which I am now entitled) would enable me to work in Colombia.

I guess there is a huge world of difference between PBH theoretical advice and what actually happens when you actually visit the MRE to get your visa.

So, since I'm utterly unable to get reliable advice here on PBH (sorry to say), I guess I'll have to run through the Bogotá gauntlet to get some accurate answers.

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

2 funny, 1 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Oct 23, 2009, 16:11:

I would like to know about the reception and what would be offered for cocktails and main dish. I have yet to recieve any invitations to any of these holy sanctities!

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

1 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 23, 2009, 16:36:

Well, I'm genuinely sorry if it hurts the sensibily of those so called "experts" here on PBH but, in the last weeks, I managed to:

1) Get married in Colombia with the proper documentation acceptable by the notario who married us
2) Managed to legalize and apostille my Spanish documents in Bogotá for acceptance by my Embassy (nowhere on PBH did I manage to get the correct information)
3) Managed to register my Colombian wedding with my Embassy

Sorry it it rattles a few feathers, but I actually managed to do it. And most of the info I encountered here on PBH was actually wrong.

Please PM me if you're genuinely interested in this subject. Remember how I ACTUALLY DID IT a few weeks ago.

Whether you're US, European or Chinese, you get married under Colombian law and the documentation doesn't change.

Apostilling your documents in Bogotá (to register your marriage with your embassy) is not obvious. Different documents have to be legalized in different offices. You need an official appointment with the MRE to apostille your document - and such appointment can only be done through the internet or through two different telephone numbers. People not residing in Bogotá get priority appointments. It's not easy and it's frustrating.

For all my faults, I actually managed to do it. Contact me if you're interested: I'll actually share with you my practical, and successful advice, instead of pretending to know what must be done.

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

1 funny, 1 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 23, 2009, 17:04:

Anti-everything: At least I managed to do two important things:

- Get married in Colombia and provide the proper documention to ensure a success
- Get legalized and apostilled my documents in Bogotá so that they'd be accepted by my national authorities

Which is more of a constructive and helpful effort than you EVER showed here on this forum. Perhaps you have forgotten when was the last time you posted anything of interest here on PBH.

I'm sure that you still have plenty of subjects to argue AGAINST. Just bear in mind the majority of PBH members are NOT that interested in them.

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

0 funny, 0 helpful.