Requirements for equal marriage in Colombia

For equal marriage in Colombia, it is necessary, in the first place, to be Colombian or foreign couples with more than 6 months of residence in the country and to present, before a Notary or Municipal Civil Court, a request for marriage in which it is stated:

1. Full names of the persons making up the couple.
2. Identity documents of the couple.
3. Places of birth.
4. Ages.
5. Occupations.
6. Address or place of residence of the contracting parties.
7. Indicate whether you have children of legal age or minors.
8. Affirm that they have no legal impediment to marriage.
9. That it is their free and spontaneous will to do so.

The application must be signed by both partners and, in the event that one of the two persons is unable to be present, they can leave the power of attorney to another person to sign the application for them or even to express their consent on the day of the marriage for them (this is known as marriage by proxy).

They must also present authentic copies of the civil registers of birth of the contracting parties (valid for no more than 3 months, with a valid note for marriage or as proof of civil registration), photocopies of citizenship cards or identification documents and, in the case of sons or daughters, add their civil registers of birth. If they are minors, a solemn inventory of assets must be made beforehand.

If one or both persons are foreign nationals: all documents issued abroad, in order to be valid in Colombia, must be apostilled or legalised in the country where they are issued. The documents to be included are: 

1. Civil registry. 
2. Certificate of unmarried status issued by the authority designated by each country.
3. Photocopy of passport. 
4. In the case of the existence of sons or daughters, the civil registry of their birth must be provided and if they are minors, a solemn inventory of assets must be made beforehand.

If these documents are in a language other than Spanish, they must be translated and cannot be valid for more than 3 months.

Note: Please note that a civil marriage is an act that can be done directly by the couple, there is no need for a lawyer to represent them.

If you are an LGBTIQ+ person and have problems getting married, please do not hesitate to write to us at consultasjuridicas@colombiadiversa.org