Getting Married in Cali

[Hiker]

I have a question regarding documents that are needed translated to spanish for the Cali notary.  Do I need to find a translator with a specific certification or do I just need a qualified translator.  

Thanks so much for any help!!!

[Calipro]

... in response to Getting Married in Cali, posted by Hiker on Jan 27, 2003

I didn't get anything translated when I got married in Cali but, then again I didn't have a marriage visa either. I just paid the lawyer an extra $200 to forget about it.

[Pete E]

... in response to Getting Married in Cali, posted by Hiker on Jan 27, 2003

My documents had to be translated to get a marriage visa from the Colombian counsolate in the US,then the Colombian notary in Cali just accepted the visa,nothing else needed translating I am aware of,my wife mostly handled it.Perhaps copies of the translations I gave the embassy were given to the notary.
The counsolate wanted my divorce decree and birth certificate translated.They did want to see the credentials of the translater.The person I used had lots of credentials,it cost me $300.You can't just hand them a translation without it being certified as correct.
In the US a notary is a person licensed to verify identity.Its an easy licence to get,no particular qualifications I know of,they do need to post a bond.3 guys in my real estate office have their notary licence.I'm sure I could get one in a month or 2 if I had any use for it.
In Cali a notary is not only a lawyer but a special lawyer approved to do marriages plus perhaps some other things.I was told there are only 8 or so in all Cali.Thats hard to believe but I heard it from several people.
My wifes friend from Bogota is using a guy here for immigration issues.His card says notary.My wife thinks he is a lawyer.I told her no way,if he was his card would say so,a notary is not at all a lawyer here.

Pete

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Getting Married in Cali, posted by Pete E on Jan 27, 2003

I will be going to the Colombian Consulate in Houston.  They don't ask for the divorce degree or birth certificate but they do say I need to take a certified copy of them and a translated copy, both notarized and apostillized to the notary in Cali.  She is going to talk to the Notary this weekend to get a good understanding of exactly what he wants to see.  

The US Embassy part seems pretty much straight but there seems to be 100 different versions as to what Colombia is looking for.

Gary Bala's website has a link with every notary in cali listed.  I think he has 21 on his list.

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/NotariesinCali.html

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting Married in Cali, posted by Hiker on Jan 27, 2003

I called the Colombian Counsolate in San Francisco and they faxed me a list of everything I needed for the spousal visa.
Cali Vet mentions he paid an extra $200 and the notary forgot about they need for a spousal visa to marry a Colombiana.Thats alot cheaper and easier than what I did if it doesn't bite you somehow.The visa is stamped  in your passport.Does any body ever look at it for anything?Somebody recently implied it could have value for extended stays in Colombia.
There  was one screw up getting my visa to marry.They didn't tell me it had to be stamped in my passport.I drove my passport to San Francisco,left it with them with a charge number to fed ex to me when finished.I got it the morning I was leaving to Colombia to get married.I couldn't have left without it.THat process was worth way more than $200 to miss.

Pete

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Getting Married in Cali, posted by Pete E on Jan 27, 2003

I would love to pay an extra 200 dollars and forget the marriage visa.  Anybody know the name of a notary to talk to about that?

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Getting Married in Cali, posted by Pete E on Jan 27, 2003

A lawyer in Cali told me notaries are a political appointment. If you need official translations in Cali Gonzalo of sectorcali.com can get it done for about $15.000 a page.

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting Married in Cali, posted by Cali vet on Jan 27, 2003

Thanks a lot for all the info guys.  I have looked everywhere on the net for this info.