Hello Gents,
The following is an email sent to me from the Colombian Consulate in San Francisco specifying the requirements for a Colombian Marriage Visa.
*****************************************************************
REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A SPECIAL VISA FOR MARRIAGE TO A COLOMBIAN NATIONAL
1.-SEND YOUR PASSPORT IT MUST BE VALID FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS.
2.- VISA APPLICATION FORM SIGNED AND FILLED OUT IN ORIGINAL AND A COPY.
3.- THREE (3) COLOR PHOTOS PASSPORT SIZE.
4.- LETTER FROM THE APPLICANT – stating the purpose of the trip, name and the number of the Colombian Citizenship Card (cedula de ciudadania) of the future spouse, possible date an place of marriage..THIS LETTER MUST BE ISSUED IN BOTH LANGUAGES ENGLISH AND SPANISH , NOTARIZED AND APOSTILLE.
5.- POLICE CERTIFICATE – STATING THAT THE APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE ANY CRIMINAL RECORD. THIS MUST BE NOTARIZED AND APOSTILLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WERE THE DOCUMENT WAS ISSUED. THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE ISSUED WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
5.- NOTARIZED LETTER FROM THE COLOMBIAN CITIZEN FIANCE REQUESTING VISA FOR THE FUTURE SPOUSE AND COPY OF THE COLOMBIAN CITIZENSHIP CARD. THIS LETTER MUST BE AN ORIGINAL AND BOTH DOCUMENTS MUST BE NOTARIZED IN COLOMBIA.
DOCUMENTS ISSUED IN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN SPANISH MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH AND THEN NOTARIZED AND APOSTILLED AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
IMPORTANT: THE APPLICANT MUST SEND THE APPLICATION FORM AND ALL THE OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IN TWO SETS, (TWO PACKAGES) ONE IN ORIGINAL AND THE OTHER IN PHOTOCOPY. PLEASE STAPLE EACH SET.
SEND A PREPAID ENVELOPE WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS IN ORDER TO SEND YOU BACK YOUR PASSPORT WITH THE VISA. YOU CAN USE UPS, DHL OR EXPRESS MAIL.
CONSULAR FEE: US$ 175.oo US CITIZENS ARE EXEMPT .
NOTES( TO PRESENT IN COLOMBIA)
PLEASE ASK TO THE NOTARY, JUDGE OR PRIEST WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY.
*******************************************************************
After receiving this information, I responded with the following email.
**Just got back from my trip to Colombia where I met in person my lady-friend and future wife. She is sweet and lovely.
I was able to obtain from her a letter requesting a visa for the future spouse and a copy of her Colombian citizenship card. Both documents were notarized there in Santa Marta, Colombia.
Now, it is my turn to finish the process for the marriage visa requirements and get the documents submitted as soon as possible.
I have some questions that need to be addressed in that I want to be very clear in my understanding of what is required.
1) The three color photos of passport size. Are these simply three of the same photo or three different shots?
2) The letter from the applicant-- being myself. Should both the languages, English and Spanish be written as part of the same letter and then notarized once; or should it be two separate letters, one in English, and one in Spanish and notarization for each?
3) The police certificate. Do I obtain such a record from the office of the Secretary of State? And should there be a Spanish version?
4) Are there any special requirements for having (all) these documents translated into Spanish? Must they be translated at the office of the Secretary of State or can I use a service of my choice for translation?
Please get back with me as soon as you possible can on these questions.
I am planning on traveling back to Colombia in the month of October to get married.
I appreciated all your help.
Muchas Gracias,
~Henry Walker**
I did get a response to my email but was sent the SAME information as above. None of my specific questions were answered.
I'm sure a number of you have gone through the rigor of getting married in Colombia.
In turn, can anyone address those specific questions? I want to make sure that I submit the documents in the proper way.
All responses will be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Henry Andre'
