Colombia’s location is so strategic that you can enjoy the best of all worlds in one location. With two oceans in tow, Colombia boasts some of the most picturesque beaches, tantalizing cuisines, warm weather, and unique wildlife. Its dedication to tourism also shows in its variable tourist attractions, state-of-the-art hotels packed with incredible spa services, and endless festivals. So, this country is not just great for the wedding but also serves as one of the most vibrant honeymoon options. We show you how to get married in Colombia as a U.S. citizen:
How to Get Married in Colombia As a U.S. Citizen?
Most guests remember the food, ambiance, and beauty they experienced at a wedding. And how better to combine these three aspects than getting married in Colombia? Luckily, you can do it by following the process below:
1) Choose a wedding option: You can get married in a civil or religious ceremony. Each option is legally binding. However, the requirements differ as religious ceremonies have more rites compared to civil weddings. Moreover, your choice of venue depends on what your officiant deems suitable. You and your partner should agree on what best suits your beliefs and needs.
2) Organize with your officiant: Before taking further steps, consult your officiant regarding the preliminaries. For example, if you want to marry in the Catholic Church, you must take premarital classes, which can take months. However, the processes are often straightforward for people who want to marry in civil ceremonies.
3) Hire a wedding planner: Once you have worked out the wedding preliminaries, you can engage a wedding planner to help you implement your wedding vision. They can source vendors, accommodation, flight tickets, and everything you need before your nuptials. It’s advisable to hire someone living in Colombia as they will be available during the entire planning process.
4) Find a wedding venue: There are many beautiful options in Colombia. But to get what best matches your wedding style and budget, booking your venue months before the wedding is best. Note that you must confer with your officiant as some venues will not meet the requirements set out by the officiant. It is especially so for religious ceremonies.
5) Prepare your documents: You do not need a visa to get married in Colombia. However, you must present a valid passport, birth certificate, and a certificate of no impediment. The document requirements may be more if you have been married or wish to have a religious ceremony. We will break them down in the later sections.
- Get your documents apostilled: Official documents issued in the U.S., e.g., a birth certificate, must have an apostille for you to use them in Colombia. You should get this done before leaving the U.S. by presenting the documents to the Secretary of State in the state that issued the documents. For example, the Texas Secretary of State should issue the apostille if your birth certificate is from Texas.
- Have the documents translated: The official language in Colombia is Spanish. Since the U.S. uses English, you must have your official documents translated into Spanish to allow easy communication between you and the authorities. You should have this done by a certified translation service to ensure accuracy.
Travel Visa Pro handles passport, apostille, and translation services and can help you prepare your documents within days.
6) Present the documents: All couples must complete a marriage application form (Solicitud de Matrimonio) and present this to a Notaria. Since Notarias are often busy, looking for options months before applying is best. Your wedding planner can file this document on your behalf if you give them the power of attorney. In civil ceremonies, you do not need to be present when making this application. But you should check with your officiant if you are having a religious wedding.
7) Wait for approval: Once the Notaria gets your documents, they will publish an edicto in the local newspaper stating that you wish to marry. During this time, anyone who objects to the marriage can stake their claim. After 15 days, the Notaria will approve your wedding ceremony if no objections have been raised. You can then set a date and location for the wedding if you will not have it in the notary’s office.
8) Get married: People getting married in civil ceremonies will have their weddings before a Notary in the notary office or any other venue approved by the notary. Usually, you can get married days after getting approval, but this depends on the number of applications at the notary office. Religious weddings follow the rites per the beliefs; you can get this information from your officiant.
9) Register your marriage: If you get married by a Public Notary, they will file the marriage. But if you do it before a priest or other religious leader, they must file the marriage with a public notary by presenting the signed marriage certificate.
If you get married in Colombia, is it legal in the U.S? Civil and religious marriages that have been filed with a public notary will be legal even in the U.S. You can use the marriage certificate as proof of the marriage to change your name, acquire marital assets, and enjoy marital benefits.
What are the Different Types of Marriage in Colombia?
People getting married in Colombia choose between civil, religious, and symbolic weddings. What makes them different, and what should you consider when selecting a marriage in Colombia?
1. Civil Weddings
These legally binding ceremonies are common among couples who want a straightforward process. You need to submit your paperwork to a Notario. Since the requirements vary per the Notario, you may need to check what to present before applying for a marriage license. The Notary official reviews the paperwork and publishes an edicto before approving the marriage, after which you can get married at the notary office or any other approved venue. Colombia marriage laws are flexible; you can customize the vows if they align with civil marriage requirements. After exchanging vows, you, your witnesses, and the notary official should sign the marriage license, which the notary should register for you to get a marriage certificate.
2. Religious Ceremonies
People often think of Catholic weddings when they refer to religious weddings, as they are the most common. However, marriage under other religions is also possible. You must liaise with the church to understand what requirements you should meet. For example, people getting married in the Catholic church follow Catholic wedding rites, including prayers and the exchange of vows. But unlike a civil marriage in Colombia, which only has legal paperwork, the couple must also abide by the following rules:
- They must have baptism certificates,
- They must have confirmation certificates,
- They must present character letters that prove they are not married,
- They should include a letter from their local parish, supporting the marriage,
- They must have completed the pre-marital classes, and
- They must attend and pass an interview.
As a result, these ceremonies require couples to start planning weddings almost a year in advance. You can always talk to the priest who will marry you to know what you should do before applying for a marriage license.
3. Symbolic Weddings
Some people want to skip the lengthy preliminaries of religious weddings and the legal paperwork for civil weddings. And in Colombia, you can do this by holding a symbolic wedding. These weddings can take place anywhere at any time, as you do not need to apply for a license or register the wedding. As such, anyone can officiate the wedding. Since they lack legal legwork, these ceremonies are symbolic and do not legally bind you to your partner. If you want to marry in the eyes of the law, you can have a civil ceremony followed by a symbolic wedding.
Is a marriage in Colombia recognized in the United States? Civil and religious ceremonies which a notary public has registered are valid in the U.S. But ultimately, your choice of marriage in Colombia depends on your beliefs, preferences, and legal concerns. For example, choosing a symbolic wedding will not work if you want to enjoy marital rights. In the same way, if you want to get married fast, marrying in church is likely not the best move. Consulting your attorney is also advisable to help protect your interests as you make this important decision.
Marriage Requirements in Colombia for U.S. Citizens
When you apply for a marriage license, the notary public will review if you meet all the marriage requirements in Colombia. Typically, a U.S. citizen getting married in Colombia should meet the conditions below:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old to marry. However, under the Civil Code 1974, girls aged 14 and above can marry if they have approval from their parents, guardians, or other legal representatives.
- Residence: You do not need to live in Colombia to get married. But if you have lived in Colombia for a long time, marriage may not be possible, and you may have to choose a civil union. Liaise with your attorney to understand your options.
- Marital Status: Only single people can marry in Colombia, as the law does not allow polygamy. Those who have never married should obtain a certificate of no impediment to marriage. People whose previous marriages ended in death or divorce must present documentation certifying the same.
- Document Validity: All the documents you present to the Notario must be less than 90 days old. These include translations, apostilles, and your certificate of no impediment to marriage.
- Witnesses: You should have two people who know you as a couple who can attest to the validity of your relationship. In religious ceremonies, they may need to write a statement regarding the nature of your relationship.
- A Translator: If you do not speak Spanish, you must have an official translator at the wedding for the ceremony to be valid.
- Name Requirements: If you have changed your name such that your passport and birth certificate do not match, you must correct your documents or present legal documents that prove the name change. Otherwise, the notary public will not approve the marriage.
- Translations: Colombian authorities will only accept documents in Spanish. As such, you should translate U.S.-issued documents using certified translation services.
- Apostilles: Official documents must have apostilles from the states that issued them, e.g., birth and death certificates. TVP can help you with this.
The requirements for getting married in Colombia for foreigners often depend on the Notario and the church. It’s always best to consult your officiant when planning the wedding to avoid surprises.
What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Colombia?
Your officiant will review your legal paperwork before agreeing to marry you. So, what do you need to get married in Colombia?
- A valid passport: Your passport should be valid beyond your departure date and in good condition,
- A birth certificate: The name on this certificate should match your passport. If not, you should include documentation explaining the difference,
- A certificate of no impediment to marriage: People who have never been married should present this document, which should be notarized,
- A filled-out marriage application form (Solicitud de Matrimonio),
- A divorce decree: If you have married before, you should present this as proof that your marriage is no longer valid,
- A death certificate: If your previous spouse is deceased, you must present this document as proof,
- Apostilles: All official documents issued in the U.S. must have apostilles to verify the integrity of their stamps, seals, and signatures,
- Power of attorney: If one or both of you cannot submit the Solicitud de Matrimonio in person, you need to provide this document. You will also use it if one of you cannot attend the wedding.
Religious ceremonies have additional requirements which you should confirm with the church.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Colombia?
The legal marriage age is 18 in most countries. Is this the case in Colombia? How old do you have to be to get married in Colombia? Per the law, you should be at least 18 to enter a marriage. However, girls as young as 14 can marry with consent from their parents or legal guardians.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Colombia?
Planning a wedding in Colombia often appeals to people who want to combine luxury and affordability. So, how much does it cost to get married in Colombia? A 100-guest wedding usually costs $10,000 to $20,000. And with good planning, you can pay much less without compromising your vision.
How to Find a Wedding Planner in Colombia?
Weddings involve a lot of preliminaries, regardless of whether you go for civil, religious, or symbolic ceremonies. Thankfully, finding a reliable wedding planner is as easy as the following:
- Ask for recommendations from loved ones and online sources and compile a list of options,
- Select the planners whose previous weddings match your aesthetic,
- Consider planners who have extensive experience,
- Consult the planners and gauge their communication styles, availability, and client relationships,
- Review contract terms.
You will find the right person based on these factors and overall pricing.
