in Colombia
Marrying in Colombia
A beautiful step — if the legal side is done right
Couples marry in Colombia for all kinds of reasons. Here's what makes the legal side worth handling with care.
Three ways to marry
Civil, religious, or a common-law union (unión marital de hecho) — each has its own process, paperwork and legal effects. Choosing the right one matters.
Documents that must line up
Papers issued abroad need to be apostilled, translated and legalized — and most are only valid for a short window. Getting the sequence right avoids restarting.
What's yours, what's shared
By default, Colombian law treats property built during a marriage as shared. A prenuptial agreement (capitulaciones) lets you decide that on your own terms.
A path to residency
A civil or religious marriage can support a marriage-based Migrant Visa — your marriage becomes your spouse's right to stay in Colombia.
Why couples trust us
Our role
How we help you marry
We handle the legal complexity so the day you've planned for goes smoothly — from the first document to the signed deed.
Documentation, apostille & translation
We tell you exactly which documents you need, then coordinate the apostille, certified translation and legalization — so the notary accepts your file the first time.
Prenuptial agreement (capitulaciones)
We draft your prenuptial agreement — basic, to keep your property separate, or a detailed version — and coordinate the signing at the notary.
The marriage itself
We coordinate with the notary, file the formal marriage request and date, and stand with you in person to sign the marriage deed — civil marriage, end to end.
Solemn Inventory (Inventario Solemne)
If either of you has minor children from another relationship, we prepare and register the asset inventory the notary requires before the marriage.
Your marriage-based visa
Once you're married, we handle the Migrant Visa that lets your spouse stay — the marriage and the visa, both under one roof.
Not sure where you stand?
Tell us about your situation. We'll tell you exactly what your marriage needs.
Free Pre-CheckThe process
Getting married, step by step
Every couple's situation is different, but a typical civil marriage for a foreigner follows this path.
Choose your path
Civil, religious or common-law — we help you decide which fits your situation and goals.
Gather & legalize documents
Birth certificate, single certificate, any divorce decrees — apostilled, translated and legalized.
Documentation review
We confirm everything the notary will require before you commit to a date.
Prenuptial agreement (if any)
We draft and finalize your capitulaciones and coordinate the signing at the notary.
Solemn Inventory (if minor children)
We prepare and register the Inventario Solemne the notary requires before the marriage.
Marriage at the notary
Formal request, marriage date, and in-person signing of the marriage deed.
Registration & marriage visa
The marriage is registered, and we start the Migrant Visa for your spouse.
About timing: the full process can take anywhere from about 1 month to more than 3 — the notary and government offices set the pace, not us. We move as fast as the file allows and tell you what's realistic from the start.
Service packages
Choose the level of support you need
Pay only for what your case requires. Government and third-party fees are always separate, listed upfront, and never marked up.
Prenuptial Agreement
Protect what's yours before you marry. We draft your capitulaciones — basic or detailed — and coordinate the signing. A Priority track is available if you're on a deadline.
Civil Marriage
The full marriage process at the notary, handled end to end — documentation, notary coordination, the formal request and in-person signing. A Priority track turns key phases around in one business day.
Common-Law Union (Unión Libre)
Declare your unión marital de hecho before a notary or mediation center, with the documentation handled for you. Basic and Priority tracks available.
Solemn Inventory (add-on)
Required when either partner has minor children from another relationship. We prepare and register the Inventario Solemne the notary asks for before the marriage.
Transparency
What it costs — government & third-party fees
Our fees cover the legal work. On top of that, marrying in Colombia involves government and third-party fees. We list them upfront, in a written estimate, so there are no surprises.
| Fee | Typically |
|---|---|
| Notary / government fees (prenup and/or marriage) | [[VALIDATE: ~COP $280K–500K each · USD ref]] |
| Official translator (if not fully bilingual) | [[VALIDATE: charged by the hour]] |
| Solemn Inventory: public deed + curator | [[VALIDATE: deed + curator range]] |
| Apostille & certified translation (documents from abroad) | [[VALIDATE: per document / per page]] |
| IVA, when applicable | [[VALIDATE: 19% · on what]] |
A note on third-party fees: government and notary fees depend on location, the notary, and the value of any assets disclosed in a prenuptial agreement. We give you a written estimate with every cost itemized before you pay anything — and unused funds are returned.
Marriage + Visa
Your marriage can also be your visa
A civil or religious marriage to a Colombian national can support a marriage-based Migrant Visa — letting your spouse live in Colombia, with a path toward permanent residency.
We handle both sides under one roof: the marriage and the visa it unlocks. No bouncing between a family lawyer and an immigration firm.
Learn about the Marriage VisaTalk to a specialist
Get a free Pre-Check
Tell us about your situation — who's marrying whom, and where you each hold documents. A specialist reviews it and tells you exactly what your marriage needs — no cost, no commitment.
- We reply within one business day
- Bilingual team — English and Spanish
- No commitment — your details stay private
Prefer to chat? WhatsApp +57 321 720 4247
Why USP
Why couples choose USP
What sets us apart isn't marketing — it's how the work actually gets done.
Get your free Pre-CheckA real legal team, built for expats
Not a paperwork agency. Specialists by area, bilingual in English and Spanish — a family-law specialist handles your case.
Transparent from the start
Our fees and the government's, visible from the beginning. No markups, no surprises.
One team for the whole move
The marriage, the visa, a prenuptial agreement, US fiancé or spouse visas if you need them. The pieces fit because they're handled in one place.
Accessible
A Colombian phone line, WhatsApp, and people who actually reply.
.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? We're a message away — and the first review is free.
Ask us in a free Pre-CheckCan a foreigner get married in Colombia?
Yes. Foreigners can marry in Colombia through a civil marriage, a religious marriage, or by declaring a common-law union (unión marital de hecho). Each has its own requirements — we help you choose and prepare the right one. [[VALIDATE alcance]]
What documents do I need?
Typically a birth certificate, a certificate of single status, and any previous divorce decrees. Documents issued abroad must be apostilled, translated and legalized — and most are only valid for a limited window, so timing matters. We give you the exact list for your case. [[VALIDATE ventanas de validez]]
What is a prenuptial agreement (capitulaciones) and do I need one?
It's a notarized agreement that sets how property is owned and managed. A basic version keeps each partner's property separate ("what's yours is yours"); a detailed version spells out how shared property is divided. It's optional, but worth considering before you marry.
Do I need to be in Colombia to get married?
For most steps, yes — and you must be in the country legally to sign. If you can't be present for part of the process, a power of attorney may be an option, at the notary's discretion. We'll tell you what's possible for your case.
What's the difference between civil marriage and a common-law union?
A civil marriage is formalized before a notary or judge. A common-law union (unión marital de hecho) is a declared partnership for couples living together. They differ in process, paperwork and effects — including for visa purposes. [[VALIDATE diferencias clave]]
Can getting married give me a Colombian visa?
A civil or religious marriage to a Colombian national can support a marriage-based Migrant Visa for your spouse. We handle the marriage and the visa together. [[VALIDATE duración & tipo]]
What is a Inventario Solemne and when is it required?
A "solemn inventory" is required when either partner has minor children from another relationship. It lists the assets those children would inherit, keeping them separate from shared marital property. We prepare and register it before the marriage. [[VALIDATE supuesto]]
Do I need an official translator?
If you're not fully bilingual, Colombian notaries generally require an official (certified) translator to be present when you sign. We coordinate one for you. Translators charge by the hour, separate from our fees.
How long does the marriage process take?
It varies — typically from about one month to more than three, depending on documentation and the notary's schedule. We move as fast as the file allows and give you a realistic timeline from the start.
What does it cost, and who pays the third-party fees?
Our professional fees cover the legal work. Government and third-party fees — notary, official translator, apostille and translation, and any solemn inventory — are separate, listed upfront in a written estimate, and never marked up.
No cost, no commitment
Start with a free Pre-Check
Tell us about your situation. We'll tell you exactly what your marriage needs — and what it costs, from the start.
+57 321 720 4247 · info@uspconsultancy.com
USD figures approximate. Final pricing issued in Colombian Pesos (COP) at the day-of-invoice TRM (Banco de la República rate). Prices subject to change without notice. This page is general information, not legal advice — every case is different; contact us about your specific situation.
