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Getting married in Colombia involves several steps, whether you choose a civil ceremony, a religious wedding, or both. Understanding the requirements ahead of time saves stress and prevents last-minute surprises. This guide covers the procedures for Colombian citizens and foreign residents.
Civil Marriage Requirements
A civil marriage in Colombia is performed by a notary or a judge. The requirements include: original and copy of citizenship ID (cédula) for Colombian citizens, or passport and foreign ID for non-Colombians; certificate of birth (registro civil de nacimiento); proof of residency if marrying outside your city; two witnesses over 18 with valid ID; and prenuptial agreement (capitulaciones matrimoniales) if you want to separate assets.
Religious Marriage Requirements
For a Catholic church wedding, additional requirements include: baptism and confirmation certificates, premarital counseling course (curso prematrimonial) offered by the parish, marriage banns (amonestaciones) announced at mass for three consecutive Sundays, and a letter of freedom (to prove neither party is already married). Allow 3-6 months for the full process.
Step-by-Step Timeline
- 3-4 months before: Start premarital counseling (if religious), gather documents
- 2 months before: Submit documents to notary or parish, book the venue
- 1 month before: Confirm all documents are approved, order marriage certificate
- 2 weeks before: Final meeting with notary or priest, confirm witnesses
- Day of: Ceremony followed by notary signature (civil) or church registration (religious)
Costs
A civil marriage in Colombia typically costs between approximately $50 and $200 USD, including notary fees and certificate. A religious wedding varies by parish but usually ranges from $100 to $500 USD including document processing and church rental. Additional costs include the civil registration of the religious marriage.
