Colombian Civil Records in the U.S. — 2026 Guide

Colombian consulates act as civil registry offices abroad, and the service is free: registering a birth, marriage or death costs nothing and the first original copy is included. What costs money is everything that has to happen first in the United States — the certificate, the apostille and the translation.

Quick facts

For a birth, the consulate wants the U.S. certificate apostilled by the state where the child was born and translated into Spanish, the Colombian parent’s identity card, and the child’s blood type.

Fees breakdown

For applicants over a certain age the registry may also require a response on full identity from the national registry office in Colombia, which is requested in advance.

How to file

1. Order the U.S. certificate of the event from the state vital records office.
2. Have it apostilled by the Secretary of State of the state where the event happened.
3. Arrange the Spanish translation.
4. Book the appointment for the specific registry act at the consulate covering your address.
5. Attend with the originals, the parents’ or declarant’s identity documents and photocopies of everything.
6. Collect the Colombian civil record, usually issued during the appointment.

Required documents

• U.S. certificate of birth, marriage or death, apostilled and translated.
• Colombian parent’s or declarant’s valid identity card, physical.
• Foreign parent’s valid passport, or the document used in the Colombian record.
• Blood type of the child for a birth registration.
• Photocopies of every identity document.
• Personal appearance of the declarant.

Where to file

At the consulate covering your address, or at a mobile consular day. Registrations are also possible before a notary in Colombia if someone there acts for you.

Additional notes

The record is the foundation

The civil birth record is what every later document rests on: the identity card, the passport and inheritance rights. Keep certified copies with a recent issue date.

Marriages abroad

A marriage celebrated in the United States takes effect in Colombia once registered, with consequences for property and succession.

Deaths

Registering a death abroad is what allows pensions, estates and bank accounts in Colombia to be settled.

Copies age

Several procedures require a copy issued within the last three months, so a record obtained years ago will usually need a fresh copy.