Currently both live in UK but want to Marry in Cali Colombia

benno0905

Member

Member since 26 April 2023

benno0905

26 April 2023 11:55:44

benno0905

26 April 2023 11:55:44

Hi Everyone,.

My Colombian Fiancé and I (GB National) have lived together for 6 Years in the UK. We were hoping to get married in Cali next July (2024) to celebrate with her amazing family. Both having UK jobs our holiday entitlements would not really allow for anything other than 3 weeks away visiting Colombia.

Looking at some threads here is it true that trying to get married in Colombia(Civil Ceremony) and then returning to the UK (to live) in this period of time be totally undoable?

I have my decree absolute from my divorce in 2019 and understand i would need to have that translated

I also know I have to take an Oath(and again have that translated) , can this only be done at the Consul in Bogata ?

Most importantly is it still a requirement for one of us to be resident in the country prior to marriage for a minimum of 6 weeks? If so I think this would totally change our plans and we would need to Marry here then go to Colombia for more of a celebration than actual marriage

Any help gratefully welcomed

Thanks!

Ben

cccmedia

Ecuador / Colombia Expert

Member since 14 March 2014

Quito, Pichincha

cccmedia

26 April 2023 20:02:08

10203

cccmedia

26 April 2023 20:02:08

10203

Quito, Pichincha

Dear Benno,

Welcome to the Expat.com Colombia forums.

Unless you have this all planned out under the supervision

of a visa specialist or Colombia-based immigration attorney,

it appears you are trying to do too much in too little time

(three weeks).

Your añternate plan to marry in the UK and unofficially celebrate

with your new bride's family in Colombia sounds workable

and delightful.

Please let us know how it turns out.

cccmedia

Medellin_bound

Active member

Member since 27 August 2011

Medellin_bound

22 May 2023 22:15:43

Medellin_bound

22 May 2023 22:15:43

@benno0905 Your Colombian fiancee is a resident/citizen of Colombia (meaning she was born in Colombia or is naturalized in Colombia), so unless the rule says that one of the people getting married must RESIDE in Colombia (and that obviously applies to the person who has legal papers to live in Colombia, that would be your girlfriend) for more than 6 weeks you are fine. If it actually says that one of the persons must be in Colombia residing/living in for more than 6 weeks, then your girlfriend must be in Colombia 6 weeks before the paperwork for the marriage is processed.

Lpdiver

Serial expat

Member since 08 August 2018

Lpdiver

30 May 2023 09:53:38

204

Lpdiver

30 May 2023 09:53:38

204

Ben, I would think it is absolutely doable. I did so with my Paisa wife awhile back. Marriage and not want a Colombian visa should keep it simple. What you need to do is have her speak to a Notaria and see what they require as the interpretation of the rules can widely vary.

lpd

Find more topics on the Colombia forum

Articles to help you in your expat project in Colombia