Getting married in Colombia is legally straightforward for foreigners, with no residency requirement and a clear notarial process that applies equally to opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Whether you are planning a civil ceremony at a local notary or a Catholic church wedding, both carry full legal weight provided the marriage is properly registered. This article covers every stage of the process, from gathering your documents and understanding apostille requirements to filing for a spouse visa once the ceremony is done.
Marriage laws in Colombia
Colombian civil law defines marriage as a formal union recognized by the state, and foreigners are fully entitled to marry either a Colombian citizen or another foreign national within the country. Same-sex marriage in Colombia is constitutionally recognized and follows exactly the same administrative procedures as opposite-sex marriages: there is no separate process, no additional requirements, and no distinction in the legal outcome.
The minimum legal age to marry is 18. Minors between 14 and 17 may marry only with authenticated written consent from their parents or legal guardians.
Both civil marriages performed by a notary and religious ceremonies, such as Catholic weddings, hold full civil validity in Colombia, provided they are officially registered with the state. This dual recognition gives couples flexibility in how they choose to formalize their union, as long as the legal registration step is not skipped.
Conditions to get married in Colombia
One of the more accessible features of the Colombian system is that there are no minimum residency requirements for foreigners. A person visiting on a tourist entry stamp is legally eligible to marry in the country, provided they hold a valid passport and can demonstrate regular immigration status. There is no separate or mandatory marriage visa required before the ceremony takes place.
Once you submit your documents to a notary, a waiting period applies. The notary publishes a formal edict, known as banns, to confirm there are no legal impediments to the marriage. This process typically lasts between 5 and 15 days and is a standard part of the procedure for all couples, regardless of nationality.
Marriage configurations in Colombia
The document requirements vary depending on whether both parties are foreign nationals or one is a Colombian citizen. Understanding which category applies to your situation helps you prepare the right paperwork from the start.
When two foreigners are marrying in Colombia, both parties must provide valid passports, apostilled birth certificates, and apostilled certificates of single status. These civil documents must have been issued within 90 days prior to submission: the notary will not accept documents that fall outside this window.
When one partner is a Colombian citizen marrying a foreigner, the Colombian party must present a photocopy of their national identity card (Cédula de Ciudadanía) and a recent copy of their civil birth registry (Registro Civil de Nacimiento). Depending on the notary, the Colombian citizen's birth certificate must have been issued within the preceding 1 to 3 months. The foreign spouse remains subject to the strict 90-day validity rule for all civil documents, including the birth certificate and certificate of single status.
Good to know:
Document validity rules are enforced strictly and vary slightly between notaries. Confirm the exact timeframe directly with the notary you intend to use before requesting documents from your home country.
Civil vs. religious marriage in Colombia
A civil ceremony in Colombia is conducted by a notary or a civil judge. It is generally faster and more structured than a religious wedding, which makes it the preferred route for international couples navigating an unfamiliar bureaucratic system.
Religious ceremonies, most commonly Catholic weddings, carry civil legal effects under Colombian law. However, the parish marriage certificate issued after the ceremony must be taken to a notary or the National Civil Registry (Registraduría) to be transcribed into the official state system. Without that registration step, the religious ceremony does not produce a legal civil record. Couples planning a church wedding should factor this additional step into their timeline.
Prenuptial agreements in Colombia
Prenuptial agreements are legally recognized in Colombia under the local term Capitulaciones Matrimoniales. To be valid, they must be formalized as a public deed (Escritura Pública) at a notary before the marriage ceremony takes place. A verbal agreement or a private written document is not sufficient.
For international couples, Capitulaciones are worth considering to clearly define which assets each party held before the marriage and to reduce the complexity of cross-border jurisdictional issues if the relationship ends. Consulting a Colombian family law attorney before drafting the agreement is advisable, particularly when assets are held in multiple countries.
Required documents for marriage in Colombia
Gathering the correct documents is the most time-sensitive part of the process. Colombian notaries enforce strict validity periods, and a single expired or improperly authenticated document can delay the entire procedure. The following documents are generally required:
- Identity document: a valid passport for non-residents, or a Cédula de Extranjería for foreign residents, along with proof of legal immigration status such as an entry stamp or valid visa.
- Birth certificate: must be an original issued within the 90 days preceding submission.
- Certificate of single status (Certificado de Soltería): must also be issued within the preceding 90 days. If your home country does not issue this specific document, an equivalent sworn declaration or affidavit may be accepted by the notary.
- Previous marriages: if either party was previously married, a certified divorce decree or the deceased spouse's death certificate must be provided. If the Colombian partner was previously married, their birth certificate must include the divorce annotation.
- Children from prior relationships: if either party has minor children from a previous relationship, an official inventory of assets (Inventario Solemne de Bienes) must be presented.
- Apostille or legalization: all foreign public documents must be apostilled in the country of origin under the Hague Convention, or legalized by a Colombian consulate if the issuing country is not a member of the convention.
- Translations: any document not natively in Spanish must be translated by a government-certified Colombian Official Translator (Traductor Oficial). Informal or personal translations are universally rejected.
Role of embassies and consulates in Colombia
Most foreign embassies in Bogotá do not perform marriage ceremonies. The wedding itself must take place before a Colombian notary or a recognized religious authority. The role of embassies and consulates is primarily administrative, before and after the ceremony.
Before the ceremony, consulates assist by issuing sworn affidavits of single status for citizens whose home governments do not produce a formal Certificate of No Impediment. The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá provides notary services for affidavits of singleness when required by local authorities.
After the ceremony, your consulate plays a critical role in ensuring your Colombian marriage is legally recognized at home. This typically involves submitting the original Colombian marriage certificate, apostilled by the Colombian Cancillería, along with an official Spanish-to-home-language translation bearing an apostille on the translator's signature. Contact your embassy directly to confirm the current procedures and any additional requirements specific to your nationality.
Planning your timeline for marriage in Colombia
Timing is one of the most common sources of difficulty for expats going through the Colombian marriage process. Because notaries enforce a strict 90-day validity rule for civil documents, requesting your paperwork too early may result in it expiring before the ceremony can be finalized.
A practical approach is to begin requesting home-country documents around 2 to 3 months before the intended ceremony date. Keep in mind that obtaining apostilles and having documents officially translated into Spanish by a certified Colombian translator can add several weeks to the total timeline. Once all documents are formally accepted by the notary, couples should expect a further 2 to 3 weeks before the ceremony can take place, accounting for the edict publication period and scheduling.
Working backward from your target wedding date and building in buffer time for postal delays or apostille processing backlogs will help you avoid having to reorder documents at the last minute.
Marriage procedures at the notary's office in Colombia
The civil marriage process in Colombia follows a defined sequence of steps. The couple begins by choosing a local notary and confirming that notary's specific document format requirements, as minor variations exist between offices. Well-known notaries used by international couples include Notaría 19 and Notaría 73 in Bogotá, Notaría Sexta and Notaría 21 in Medellín, and Notaría Segunda in Pereira.
- The couple submits a written request along with the complete set of apostilled and translated documents.
- The notary reviews the file and publishes an edict announcing the intent to marry, a process that typically lasts up to 15 days.
- The civil ceremony is conducted by the notary, and the couple and their witnesses sign the marriage act.
- The notary registers the marriage with the National Civil Registry (Registraduría) and issues the final civil marriage registry document (Registro Civil de Matrimonio).
If one of the partners cannot be physically present for the ceremony, Colombian law permits marriage by proxy through a formalized Special Power of Attorney (Poder Especial). This is an uncommon route and requires careful legal preparation in advance.
Costs and fees for marriage in Colombia
Government-set notarial fees for civil marriage are relatively low. As of 2026, a ceremony held in a notary's office costs around COP 62,000 to COP 65,000, while a ceremony conducted at an external location typically costs between COP 166,000 and COP 175,000. These tariffs are set by the Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro and are updated periodically.
For foreign spouses planning to apply for a Colombian spouse visa (M-Visa) after the wedding, the visa study fee is USD 52. If approved, the issuance fee ranges from USD 230 to USD 270 depending on the applicant's nationality. Exchange rate conversions will vary depending on market conditions.
Good to know:
Notary fees cover only the legal ceremony itself. Translation services, apostille fees in your home country, and any legal advice you seek are separate costs that vary considerably depending on your situation and nationality.
Wedding traditions and customs in Colombia
Religious weddings, particularly Catholic ceremonies, remain deeply rooted in Colombian culture and are popular among local families. Wedding events in the country range from small, intimate gatherings to large celebrations with traditional music, dancing, and multi-generational family participation. For expats marrying into a Colombian family, some degree of religious or traditional ceremony is common even when the couple also completes a civil registration. Participation in local customs is a personal choice, and Colombian families are generally welcoming of guests from different cultural backgrounds.
After the wedding in Colombia
Once the ceremony is complete, the first priority is obtaining the Registro Civil de Matrimonio: the official marriage registry document issued by the notary. This certificate is the primary legal proof of your marriage and is needed for all subsequent administrative processes, including visa applications, name changes, and home-country registration.
Foreign spouses of Colombian citizens are eligible to apply for the Migrant Visa (Visa M, Cónyuge de Nacional Colombiano) through the Cancillería portal. This visa is valid for up to 3 years and includes an open work permit, allowing the holder to work or study in Colombia without additional authorization. After 2 continuous years under the M-Visa, the foreign spouse becomes eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident (R) Visa.
Registering the marriage with your home country is a separate step handled through your embassy or consulate in Bogotá. The specific documents required for transcription vary by nationality, so contact your consulate directly after receiving your Registro Civil de Matrimonio to confirm the current procedure.
Divorce in Colombia
When both parties agree to end the marriage, Colombia offers an administrative divorce route processed directly through a notary, referred to formally as the Cesación de los Efectos Civiles de Matrimonio. This process requires both spouses to be in full agreement and to work through a designated lawyer. It is generally faster than a contested court-based divorce.
If the couple has minor children together, the divorce filing must include an official inventory of assets and a ratified agreement covering child custody, visitation rights, and child support obligations. Couples facing disagreement on any of these points will need to pursue a judicial process rather than the notarial route. Consulting a Colombian family law attorney is recommended for any divorce involving cross-border assets or children.
Frequently asked questions about marriage in Colombia
Can a tourist legally marry a Colombian citizen while visiting the country?
Yes. Foreigners can legally marry in Colombia using a tourist entry stamp, provided they are legally present in the country and hold a valid passport. There is no minimum residency period required before submitting a marriage application.
How old can my foreign birth certificate be when applying for marriage?
Colombian notaries enforce strict validity periods. Your original birth certificate must have been issued no more than 90 days before you submit your marriage application. Documents older than 90 days at the time of submission will be rejected, so timing your request carefully is essential.
Do I need to translate my documents if they are in English?
Yes. Any document not written in Spanish must be officially translated by a government-certified Colombian Official Translator (Traductor Oficial). Informal translations, even professionally done ones from outside Colombia, will be rejected by the notary without exception.
Does marrying a Colombian citizen automatically grant me permanent residency?
No. After marriage, you must apply separately for an M-Visa through the Cancillería portal. Permanent residency through the R-Visa only becomes available after you have held the M-Visa continuously for at least 2 years. Marriage itself confers no automatic residency status.
How long does the civil marriage process take at the notary?
Once all apostilled and translated documents are formally accepted, the notary issues an edict that typically remains in effect for up to 15 days. After that publication period ends, the ceremony can generally be scheduled within 2 to 3 weeks. Plan for a minimum timeline of 4 to 5 weeks from document submission to the ceremony.
Are same-sex marriages legally recognized in Colombia?
Yes. Same-sex marriage is fully legal and constitutionally recognized across Colombia. The administrative process is identical to that for opposite-sex couples, with no additional steps, separate procedures, or distinct legal outcomes.
Can I get married at my home country's embassy in Colombia?
Generally, no. Most embassies, including those of the United States, Spain, and Italy, do not perform marriages involving Colombian citizens. The ceremony must be conducted before a Colombian notary or a recognized religious authority. Contact your embassy directly to confirm any specific consular services they currently offer, as availability can vary.
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