How to Marry a Colombian Citizen & Get Your Spouse Visa: A Guide for US Expats
2026-06-24
By Camila Ocampo, Colombian Immigration Lawer
Are you a US citizen planning to travel to Colombia to marry your fiancée and build your lives together? Every month, we assist foreigners just like you in navigating the Colombian legal system to get married and secure their Spouse Visa.
Below is our comprehensive expert guide on what you need to get married, the requirements for the Spouse Visa, the costs involved, and how to navigate this process successfully.
1. WHAT YOU NEED TO GET MARRIED IN COLOMBIA
Understanding the "Notaría" In Colombia, a Notaría is not the same as a Notary Public in English-speaking countries. Instead of simply witnessing a signature, a Colombian Notario is a high-ranking official with the legal authority to perform marriages and validate documents, similar to a City Hall or County Clerk.
Document Checklist for Foreigners Colombian notaries are very strict regarding international documentation. Please ensure you prepare the following:
Birth Certificate: Must be an authentic copy issued by your home country, apostilled, and officially translated into Spanish by a translator registered in Colombia.
Civil Status:
If you have never been married: You must present an Apostilled Certificate of Single Status (or Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry).
If you have been married before: You must provide the official Divorce Decree for every previous marriage, each properly apostilled and translated.
The Rule of Dual Nationality: If you hold multiple passports, you must complete the entire process using the nationality you used to enter Colombia most recently. Your origin documents (birth and civil status) must match this nationality.
Passport and Immigration Status: While it is ideal to maintain regular immigration status, notary criteria can vary. If your status is irregular, we recommend consulting multiple notaries, as some are more flexible.
Minor Children: Under the Colombian Civil Code, if you have children from a previous marriage, you may need a Solemn Inventory of Assets (Inventario Solemne de Bienes).
Expert Tip: Not all Notarías operate the same way. Some offer excellent customer service and bilingual staff, while others face long lines and stricter criteria. It is wise to evaluate two or three different locations in your city.
What Your Colombian Partner Needs
Cédula de Ciudadanía: Original and a photocopy enlarged to 150%.
Birth Certificate: An authentic copy with the marginal note "Válido para matrimonio" (Valid for marriage), issued within the last 30 days.
The Marriage Process:
Filing and Review: Submit your documents to the chosen notary for review.
Publication of the Edict: The notary posts a public notice for a few days to ensure there are no legal oppositions.
The Ceremony: A date is set, requiring at least one witness. You will sign the Public Deed (Escritura Pública).
The Marriage Certificate: You will collect your official Colombian Marriage Certificate (Registro Civil de Matrimonio) a few days later.
2. SPOUSE VISA REQUIREMENTS
Once married, you can apply for your Spouse Visa. The standard requirements include:
General Requirements:
A copy of your valid passport data page (must be valid for at least 6 months).
A recent digital color photo (JPG, max 300 KB, 4x3 cm, white background, facing forward with face and ears fully visible). This photo must be different from the one in your passport or previous visas.
A copy of your latest Colombian entry/exit stamp or visa entry document (if applying from within Colombia).
Specific Requirements for a Spouse Visa:
An authentic copy of your Colombian Civil Marriage Registry.
A signed letter from your Colombian spouse requesting the visa and declaring effective cohabitation.
Proof of the relationship: photographs together, hotel bookings, money transfers, etc.
A legible copy of your spouse’s Cédula de Ciudadanía.
A Certificate of Migratory Movements for you and for your Colombian spouse, issued by Migración Colombia. It should show that you have traveled together.
Power of Attorney: A document that your Colombian partner grants YOU for applying for the visa.
FBI Background Check: For you. It must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
3. TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS
Government Fees:
Visa Study Fee: $54 USD (paid at application).
Visa Issuance Fee: $270 USD (paid upon approval).
Foreigner ID (Cédula de Extranjería): $294,000 COP (paid upon ID collection).
Other Costs to Anticipate:
Migratory Movements Certificate: Approx. $75,000 COP each.
Translations: Approximately $20 USD per page for official translations.
FBI Background Check Apostilled: Approx. $180.00 USD.
Power of Attorney Notarized: Approx. $80,000 COP.
4. THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The visa application is processed entirely online through the government's SITAC platform. While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, the platform is notoriously difficult to navigate, and the government has up to 30 days to review your application. The potential outcomes are:
Requirement (Requerimiento): The government requests additional information or proof of cohabitation. You have only 10 days to respond.
Inadmission (Inadmisión): The application is turned down due to an error or missing detail. You must restart the process and pay the study fee again.
Rejection (Rechazo): The application is formally denied, and you cannot reapply for 6 months.
Approval (Aprobación): Your visa is granted. You will receive an e-visa, which you must register to book your appointment for your Foreigner ID within 15 days.
5. WHY HIRE A COLOMBIAN IMMIGRATION LAWYER
Basically, because the bureaucracy, the poor usability of the platforms, the interpretation of the requirements (especially to prove the validity of the bond and cohabitation), and the discretionary power of the officials mean that submitting a Visa in Colombia requires a level of experience, technical knowledge, and legal understanding that a foreigner does not necessarily have.
It is highly likely that your first or second application will be inadmitted, and by then you will have invested $100 USD in study fees that you will have to pay again. But most importantly, you will have lost between 2 and 3 months, and if you are already in Colombia, you run the risk of not being able to apply within the country and having to leave Colombia due to the expiration of your tourist permit, separating you from your partner.
The frustration and stress of doing this process alone are so significant that I do not recommend it to anyone, not even the most tech-savvy person, nor to a foreign lawyer.
Any Colombian immigration lawyer can give you that knowledge and experience to make the process smoother and hassle-free. Even if there are requirements and inadmissions, you can rest assured that someone is in charge.
6. WHY WORK WITH COLOMBIAN PASSPORT?
At Colombian Passport, we simplify this journey:
Direct Expert Guidance: You will work directly with me or a Senior lawyer—never a junior representative or sales agent.
Advanced Case Management: We use proprietary technology alongside our specialized immigration knowledge to ensure your documentation is flawless.
Proactive Communication: We keep you informed at every step and follow up on all necessary tasks.
Adaptive Strategy: If your application receives an inadmission, we will reapply at no additional service cost to you.
Our Full Service Package: $500.00 USD Includes an in-depth strategy consultation, custom document checklist and quality review, full handling and submission of your SITAC application, management of government requirements, e-visa registration, scheduling your Cédula appointment, and tracking expiration dates to protect your path toward residency.
7. NEXT STEPS
To begin designing your immigration strategy and reviewing any documents you currently have, I invite you to book an online consultation. The consultation fee is $80.00 USD, which will be fully deducted from our $500.00 USD Full Service fee should you choose to hire us.
📅 Book Your Consultation Here: View Availability
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