EN 
ES What is a common-law marriage (UMH)?
The De Facto Marital Union (UMH) is the same free union, formed by two people who, without being married to each other and without legal formalities, create a permanent and singular community of life, in order to take care of and protect each other. The name Unión Marital de Hecho is due to the denomination given by the law [...].
What are the benefits of UMH?
It is a figure that recognises the existence of family ties from the cohabitation of a couple without the need to resort to any formal contract or agreement, since the union exists from the moment in which the cohabitation begins, not from the moment of its formal declaration. The declaration of the [...]
What is the difference between UMH and equal marriage?
Marriage and the UMH are the two figures existing in Colombian law through which the character of a family is recognised for a couple that would otherwise have no links with each other. Marriage is based on the celebration of a contract by which two people agree to [...]
If one of the two persons is a foreigner, can the foreigner have access to Colombian residency from UMH?
Yes, when a foreigner has a type M visa as the partner of a Colombian person, he/she must take into account several important differences compared to other visas for family ties: In order to apply for this visa, it is compulsory to accredit the common-law marriage, and the document that proves it [...].
How do I declare a common-law marriage (UMH)?
In order to declare the existence of a common-law marriage, it is necessary, first of all, to be a Colombian or foreign person with residence in the country and to present to a Notary or Conciliation Centre: An application for the declaration of UMH in which the following must be stated: The full name of the persons who make up the [...].
Can the UMH be dissolved? How can I dissolve it?
The Common Law Marital Union, as well as being established by cohabitation, is dissolved mainly by the separation of the couple. The grounds that the law has established for its dissolution are: Mutual agreement between the couple expressed in a public deed. The death of one or both partners. The marriage of one or [...].
What are the requirements to demonstrate UMH?
In general, the conditions that must be proven in order for a common-law marriage to be considered to exist are: It is between an adult couple: two cisgender men, two cisgender women, one trans man and one cisgender woman, one trans woman and one cisgender man, two trans persons, one man and one [....]
How can I prove the existence of UMH?
The existence of the UMH can be proved through the means available to each person. For example, testimonies, documents, photos, etc. In the event that the UMH has been declared, the evidence will be the UMH declaration deed, the deed of settlement or the court judgement. Additionally, in the case of an application [...].
