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Mariage Documents

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afarestegui
  2/2/2016 15:06 EST

Dear All,
I am currently in Colombia, and I need my birth certificate with the most current stamped date, it must also be APOSTILLED, and it must also be translated into Spanish. In addition, I also need an AFFIDAVIT of SINGLE Status, which must also be APOSTILLED, and translated into Spanish. I am currently in Pereira, and the local authorities have not been able to direct be to the proper entities. I am from the U.S.A, and I assume that such documents must be obtained either from a USA Consulate/Embassy, or from some entity in the U.S.A. Can anyone please direct me to the proper entities, and or share your experience in obtaining such documents. Thank you in advance.

scumbuster
  2/2/2016 15:41 EST

The birth certificate would come from the county you were born in and apostilled by the secretary of state in the state you were born in. Its easier to get the translation done in Colombia.

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bigjailerman
  2/2/2016 15:52 EST

What city and state were you born in the USA

guestuser
  2/2/2016 17:28 EST

The birth certificate doesn't create an issue but that affidavit of being single isn't so easy.
Shopping around notaries about what they will accept (for example a translated notarized divorce certificate/agreement from the US) if appropriate) may be necessary.
Here's the US Govt explanation of the situation

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/marriage.html

bigjailerman
  2/2/2016 17:45 EST

That is why he/she is from. In New York, its a simple step to go to the NYC Clerk Office for this

NON IMPEDIMENT CERTIFICATION

https://www1.nyc.gov/cityclerkformsonline/formslist.htm?recordType=NON_IMPEDIMENT

You give your name, SS number and any past marriages and they run a check. If it shows you arent married you get the certificate. I think it ws about 15 usd.

guestuser
  2/2/2016 20:03 EST

Does that certificate prove that you are not married ANYWHERE or just not in New York? Note that the example you gave is for New York CITY residents only - not even for the State of New York. We certainly found that notaries raised such points in particular as I had over the years lived in more than one state. As I said, if you talk to notaries you'll often find one that's more relaxed about what they need. In Medellin it wasn't in the prettiest area, and it wasn't the nicest looking notary, but they worked with us.

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LaPiranha
  2/2/2016 20:04 EST

"""Can anyone please direct me to the proper entities, and or share your experience"""

Well my experience was that I checked with the Colombian Consulate, everything I would need BEFORE I came.

Result: I arrived in Colombia with everything already done, and had absolutely no worries or problems whatsoever.

Sometimes I am amazed that people don't prepare for things in advance. It can save sooooo much hassle.

Now, ok, I have to say, that I don't know whether Afarestegui came, and didn't know he was going to get married, but there are very many who do, and never check what they need til they get here. Then its a long way to go back home, just to get a piece of paper.

bigjailerman
  2/2/2016 20:13 EST

Yes it's only for New York state. Bottom line is, as you pointed out the key is the notary. Many overlook everything if they are spoken to properly and perhaps sweetening the pot. Thats why the actual document they are requesting can become meaningless itself. On the other hand, if the original poster's state has that available tio him/her it might make his/her notary satisfied. After all, they dont query the world for marriage availability... just like providing a divorce document that only comes from one state.

timllowe
  2/2/2016 21:07 EST

More useless paperwork. Getting married once is stupid. Twice? I think you deserve whatever you get. ;)

Tyee44
  2/3/2016 18:53 EST

Have you checked the online availability of these doc's, on line from the State in question. As I recall I obtained all my docs necessary for marriage online and had my cousin DHL them to me.

Phillipjamesrogers
  2/5/2016 21:07 EST

Hola, I also lived in Pereira but now live in Medellin. You need to contact where you were born and get someone to have it apostilled and sent to you

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guestuser
  2/5/2016 21:22 EST

There are people who have services to get the documents for you - including getting the apostilizations - as I had left New York City I had one work on getting the documents for me. Obviously if you have friends and family this can be a solution but there are people who make a living out of this.

guestuser
  2/5/2016 21:22 EST

There are people who have services to get the documents for you - including getting the apostilizations - as I had left New York City I had one work on getting the documents for me. Obviously if you have friends and family this can be a solution but there are people who make a living out of this.

zak023
  2/6/2016 14:05 EST

I am from New Jersey USA and after much research I found a Notary in Medellin to marry me and my Colombian wife with the least ammount of documents other notaries require. I provided a apostilled divorce decree from Trenton which is the capital of New Jersey.. My Birth Certificate also apostilled and both translated into Spanish AFTER the apostille was issued..Both are good for 60 days..That was it as the certificate of singlehood does not exist in the USA as far as I know..If interested in traveling to Medellin to do this the Notary was Notaria 5 sector Unicentro..Calle 34 No.66A-50 Medellin.....Cell Number..316-560-8720..They also speak English there..I hope this helps ...

bigjailerman
  2/6/2016 15:27 EST

Excellent!

Chucklesg
  2/6/2016 16:26 EST

Why do folks from the US decide to get married in Colombia, given the document hassles? Is there an advantage of one location over another? I understand the emotion and romanticism but I would think the US less onerous.

thelocogringo
  2/6/2016 16:33 EST

Chuck,

Because they are stupid or just no thinking it through, one or the other.

I know how to get married leagly in Colombia with only a passport. No hassel and low cost.

I used this method personally back when I was more stupid than I am today. I know several others who did this with 100% success.

Anybody who wants to know, you just have to convince me that you are not stupid.

Bring it on........

guestuser
  2/6/2016 16:51 EST

Chuck,
Remember that the Colombian half of this wedding party is going to need to get a visa to enter the US. Any sort of visa other than a visitors visa is going to be long and difficult. Now you can come into the US and get married on a visitor's visa - but the problem comes if you ever want to change the status to a permanent visa. The way that US immigration see it is that if you come in on a visitors visa with the clear intention of marrying and potentially staying is visa fraud, and there's no way you want to go down that road. And even before we get there the presumption is that the happy bride to be is going to be able to qualify for a US Visitors visa.

guestuser
  2/6/2016 16:53 EST

Chuck - just reread your message and I might owe you an apology - you're using the case where both parties are US?

Chucklesg
  2/6/2016 17:15 EST

Good point, but the kind of Colombian lady I'd be looking for already has a visa, and usually it's for 10 years.

bigjailerman
  2/6/2016 17:18 EST

Good luck, Chuck :)

Chucklesg
  2/6/2016 17:20 EST

No, the lady would be from Colombia. And I know two gals that already have Visas and have traveled here and elsewhere.

zak023
  2/7/2016 10:00 EST

LOCO,
I got married in Colombia for my own reasons..My wife spent 23 years working for the Colombian Government and has visas for 4 countries..She did not want to come to the USA at all.. She has more in Medellin than I have here in the US...Estrada 5 apt. new car. family with money and many important friends.. I just wanted to do something different as My plan is to retire in Colombia in several more years... So why not marry my Girlfriend of several years in Medellin so the family can be present...I don't know where the stupid part of any of this is for me..Not that I need to explain myself to anybody..She agreed to come here to the USA for a set time period and if I do not retire and move there as I promised she will go without me and wait till I am ready..She could care less about the green card as she is in her late 40"s and is only here for me..It took me 14 months to get her here with the CR-1 visa .. I could have had her here in half the time with the I 129-f fiancee visa..but as I stated I had my reasons for doing it the other way..Not to mention I can get my AP-10 visa automatically when I get there because I am married and did it in Colombia....I rest my case....

thelocogringo
  2/7/2016 11:16 EST

Zak,

So tell me where the upside for you is? What are you getting out of getting married to her?

Alimony, future support, stability?

Please let me know.....

timllowe
  2/7/2016 11:25 EST

That's incredibly rude and inappropriate.

WhoaNellie
  2/7/2016 12:08 EST

If you have to ask "Why?" to marriage and don't already have the answer, then you may not be ready for it, or suited for it, or be able to benefit from it...and as they say, "mejor soltero que mal acompañado"...

As a general observation, marriage makes life easier and more enjoyable. That's the ideal, anyway. I think everyone's marriage is unique, with so many reasons and accomodations, there is no one size fits all.

For me married to a colombiana, we both benefit - she's an American citizen now and gets to experience life as few other Colombians do in the US, and I get to experience life in Colombia with her and as a member of a large family as few others do. We both benefit from having not just a window into each other's culture but by being immersed in it and living it day to day.

She gets to ask me the whys and wherefores about the US, some of which can be puzzling to an outsider, and I get to do the same with Colombian everyday life, on an intimate level and not just a superficial one.

Our lives together are richer than they might otherwise be. And it is a serious legal and moral committment we have made with each other, rather than an arrangement that can be broken on a whim, so we value it more.

YMMV.

suadel
  2/8/2016 01:00 EST

Not all americans in Colombia Have Class.
Several years ago I wanted to marry a European Girl. All I did was to apply for a Fiance Visa, and she was in California in 60 days. This visa gave us 90 days to get marry. Once married, she applied for "Green Card" and followed with Naturalization papers. Took a little time, but was no hassle at all. Hope this give you some ideas.

guestuser
  2/8/2016 06:03 EST

Having been through the green card process as a European (sponsored by an employer) I agree that the length of the process is the worst part. However that was a while ago and since then the backlog of people awaiting green cards and visas has soared. Waits vary by country of origin. I am not aware of the timelines for Colombians but I doubt they are the same as Europeans. With the current political climate I don't believe visa numbers or processing speeds are going to improve any time soon.

thelocogringo
  2/8/2016 06:33 EST

Tim,

I am sorry if my coments have ofended you.

I just do not see the antiquated version of marriage that has been pushed and shoved down our throats by the established church as any benefit to men.

I see lots of benefits for the woman and for the government, just not for men.

It is time for a new deal. One that recognizes where we are as a society, accepts that the roles of men and women have changed over the years and is balanced.

My Grandmother married my Grandfather almost 85 years ago.

They were immigrants from Hungry, looking for a new life.

They needed each other, both as a couple and to survive. She was dedicated to him and raising a family and making a home. A place where the family was safe, secure and could prosper.

My grandfather was dedicated to providing for his family. Making sure that they had a roof over thier head, food, heat, clothing, education.

He became ill at a young age however he lived long enough (58) to be sure to leave enough to take care of his family after he was gone.

Both my Grandmother and Grandfather were very dedicated. Focused on making a family and that the next generation will be better off.

That was a marriage!

Show me a young couple like that and I will gladly stand at thier wedding.

bigjailerman
  2/8/2016 11:20 EST

Paradise, the fiance visas for green card processing is faster (@least my attorney says) amd can take a variable amount of time bit can haven as fast as 6 months. In the USA, Obama is pushing hard on his side.

LocoMartin, when my fiance visa comes through, we are getting married in New York, you can visit whatever the reason! Just for me, I like being married. It's a me thing and makes me happy. My fiance and I have been living together almost three years, her benefit from me is my financial status, and my kitchen skills and my loving skills (!?). My benefit it's my children that she gave me and the way she treats me amd how I feel around her (including her youth).

guestuser
  2/8/2016 11:38 EST

I'll admit it was 18 months ago but the NY immigration attorney I spoke to gave estimates of 3 times the 6 months you suggest. Guess things must have approved. significantly.

bigjailerman
  2/8/2016 12:46 EST

Do you mean for whole process,'from first application or once you arrive into the state's and submit? I haven't yet gone through it personally, I'll check in once I get her to the USA

guestuser
  2/8/2016 13:20 EST

From first application.

zak023
  2/9/2016 10:41 EST

LOCO,
You are a Rude SOB aren't you?
I would like to meet you one day in person....What is in it for me? I like being married..I have a pre-nup in place..I am not getting any younger..Neither is she....It sounds like you may have been burned before by playing with the wrong Colombiana.. I don't know..Only you do..Thats why I said may [ you may have] There is nothing in it for me but a good wife and a place to retire.. She has a Finca near Guatape and a nice apt in Medellin..She has stabality..Not a gold digger type at all...But only I would know that for sure.. What else do you want to know ? I came to this post to offer information to the OP and I did....I did not expect to get questioned about my own personal life...

thelocogringo
  2/9/2016 13:21 EST

Zak, I do not know about being a rude SOB but I would also like to meet you and your wife too. Perhaps if you invite me, I can come to your house and your wife can cook us a nice meal.

We can have a couple of beers and you can show me in person whats in it for you.

I would welcome that.

What city do you live in. I will make the trip........

Thanks, Martin

zak023
  2/9/2016 14:12 EST

Martin,
Right now we are living in the USA ...in New Jersey...I am close to Big Jailer Man... I only come to Colombia when I have time until I retire..Are you in the USA or Colombia ?

zak023
  2/9/2016 14:12 EST

Martin,
Right now we are living in the USA ...in New Jersey...I am close to Big Jailer Man... I only come to Colombia when I have time until I retire..Are you in the USA or Colombia ?

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