Getting married in Colombia as a foreigner
Check the required documents and process to get a civil marriage in Colombia as a foreigner.
Every year, more and more foreign citizens fall in love with Colombia—and with a Colombian. Deciding to share your life together is a beautiful step, but when it comes to the legal part, getting married in Colombia through a civil ceremony requires some clear planning.
To help you prepare your paperwork without headaches, here is everything you need to know about the legal process and document requirements.
What documents do I need?
The Colombian notary requires specific paperwork to confirm both your identity and your marital status before granting a wedding date. All documents from abroad must be properly legalized with an Apostille and translated into Spanish by a certified official translator.
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Requirement
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For the foreign citizen
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For the Colombian citizen
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Birth certificate
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Official copy + Apostille + Official Spanish translation.
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Birth certificate (Registro Civil de Nacimiento) with marginal notes, issued within the last 30 days.
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Marital status
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Single Status Certificate (Certificado de Soltería) + Apostille + Official translation. If divorced, the official divorce decree + Apostille + Official translation.
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Marginal notes on the birth certificate will reflect single or divorced status.
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Children (if applicable)
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Birth certificates of any children + Apostille + Official translation.
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Birth certificates of any children (if under 18, an inventory of assets / Inventario Solemne de Bienes may apply).
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Document Validity
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Documents (including apostilles and translations) must not be older than 90 days when presented to the Notary.
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Birth certificate must not be older than 30 days upon submission.
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Once you have gathered and translated your entire folder, both of you must present yourselves in person at the notary office in the city where you reside in Colombia to officially request your marriage date.
During this initial step, the notary reviews the validity and expiration dates of every file. If the foreign partner does not speak fluent Spanish, Colombian legal protocol mandates that a licensed official interpreter be present throughout the formal procedure to guarantee full legal understanding. After the notary completes the verification, your wedding date is assigned, and you will receive your official Marriage Certificate (Registro Civil de Matrimonio) on the very day of your celebration.
Organizing international legal documents under strict validity timelines can quickly become stressful. At Capital M Law, we manage the legal complexities so you can enjoy this special moment with peace of mind. Our specialized assistance packages cover every stage of the process, including drafting pre-nuptial agreements (Capitulaciones Matrimoniales), managing document procurement and verification, and handling your post-wedding Marriage Visa application (Visa M de Cónyuge).
If you are ready to start your life together in Colombia, schedule a consultation with our legal team today here: https://calendly.com/capital-m-law-/initial-consultation-w-maria-fernanda-duarte?back=1&month=2026-09