Getting married in Colombia can be genuinely simple — and also really special.

The paperwork is clear, the system is inclusive, and you can choose anything from a practical civil ceremony at a notary to a full destination wedding in Colombia with a religious celebration and a big Colombian-style party.

In this updated 2026 guide, you’ll learn:

• The types of marriage recognized in Colombia (civil and religious with civil effect)
  
  
• How common-law unions (Unión Marital de Hecho) work and how to declare one
  
  
• Requirements when one or both spouses are foreigners
  
  
• How to register a marriage celebrated abroad so it has legal effects in Colombia
  
  
• The M Spouse Visa and M Permanent Partner Visa rules (updated for 2026)
  
  
• Updated 2026 costs and notarial fees
  
  

Let’s start.

Types of marriage and cultural wedding in Colombia aspects

In Colombia, there are two main legal paths to formalize a marital union with civil validity:

1. Civil marriage (before a notary or judge)
   
   
2. Religious marriage with civil effects (only if properly registered)
   
   

Both can create the same legal rights and obligations as long as the corresponding civil registration is completed.

Civil Marriage

A civil marriage is performed before a notary (most common) or a civil judge (less common). It’s typically:

• fast and structured
  
  
• legally strong for binational couples
  
  
• widely used when a foreign spouse is involved
  
  

Any couple, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can marry civilly in Colombia.

Religious Marriage with Civil Effect

Colombia recognizes the civil effects of certain religious marriages — but only if you complete the registration step.

Here’s the practical rule:

• If you get a wedding in Colombia through a recognized church and then register the marriage certificate in the civil registry, it has the same legal effects as a civil marriage.
  
  
• If you marry through a non-recognized church (or skip registration), the ceremony may be meaningful — but it won’t produce civil legal effects in Colombia until formalized.
  
  

This is why many couples do both:

• a legal civil marriage (fast + secure)
  
  
• then a religious/symbolic ceremony for family and tradition
  
  

Common-Law Union (Unión Marital de Hecho)

This is a legal alternative for couples who live together permanently but don’t want (or can’t) get married.

Declaring a common-law union can grant protections similar to marriage — especially related to:

• property rights (sociedad patrimonial)
  
  
• social security and survivor benefits
  
  
• inheritance rights (depending on the case)
  
  

Colombia regulates this mainly through Law 54 of 1990 and its modifications.

Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex couples can marry civilly in Colombia with the same guarantees as any other couple.

This is based on Constitutional Court jurisprudence — notably SU-214/2016, which ordered that notaries and judges cannot deny civil marriage to same-sex couples.

Same-sex couples can also declare common-law unions under the same conditions.

What are the requirements for civil marriage in Colombia?

Civil marriage in Colombia is most commonly done through a notary office, and it can be quick — if your documents are correct and recent.

Requirements for Colombian citizens

• Recent copy of civil birth certificate (commonly requested as “recent,” often within 3 months)
  
  
• Valid cédula de ciudadanía
  
  
• If previously married: proof of dissolution (divorce annotation or death certificate)
  
  
• Marriage application before the notary (sworn declarations included)
  
  

When one or both spouses are foreigners (additional requirements)

Foreign spouses usually need:

1. Identification
   
   
   • Valid passport (legal entry) or cédula de extranjería (if applicable)
     
     
   • Some notaries may request migration movement records (especially for visa-related cases).
     
     
2. Birth certificate
   
   
   • Issued recently (many notaries use a 90-day freshness practice)
     
     
   • Must be apostilled/legalized and officially translated into Spanish if not in Spanish
     
     
3. Certificate of singleness / no impediment (or equivalent)
   
   
   • If your country does not issue it, you may replace it with a sworn declaration, depending on the notary’s criteria
     
     
4. Proof of prior marital status (if applicable)
   
   
   • Divorce judgment/record or spouse death certificate (apostilled + translated if foreign)
     
     
5. Two witnesses
   
   
   • Adults, usually not close relatives (notary practice may vary)
     
     
6. Official translator (if needed)
   
   
   • If the foreign spouse does not speak Spanish, many notaries require an interpreter who signs the deed.
     
     

Important: Notary requirements can vary slightly by office. The safest approach is always: confirm the checklist with your chosen notary before you travel or apostille documents.

Who sets the date for civil marriage in Colombia?

Once you submit all documents, the notary reviews them.

If everything is compliant, the notary coordinates a date based on their availability. In large cities, you may see waiting times of a few days to a couple of weeks.

On the ceremony day, you typically need:

• both spouses (in person)
  
  
• two witnesses
  
  
• original IDs/passports
  
  
• translator (if required)
  
  

What are prenuptial agreements (Capitulaciones Matrimoniales) and are they valid internationally?

Prenuptial agreements (capitulaciones matrimoniales in Spanish) are contracts signed before marriage to clarify how the assets you currently own and those you acquire in the future will be managed and divided.

In Colombia, if no prenuptial agreement is signed, a marital partnership (sociedad conyugal) is automatically created (community property regime). This means that everything acquired during the marriage will belong to both spouses and, in case of divorce, will be divided equally, regardless of who paid for it.

Having a prenuptial agreement helps avoid confusion, disputes, and problems when managing or dividing assets. It is especially useful if either spouse has pre-existing assets, their own businesses, or property abroad.

Types of Prenuptial Agreements in Colombia

• Total exclusion of assets:
  No marital partnership is formed; each person retains full control of their assets before and during the marriage.
• Partial exclusion:
  Certain assets are excluded from the marital partnership, while others are managed jointly.

When and How Are They Made?

They are signed before the marriage and always before a notary, through a public deed.

The deed details the agreed economic regime, how assets and debts will be managed, and any other financial conditions.

Important: Once married, you can no longer sign prenuptial agreements. If you want to make changes afterward, you must use other legal mechanisms allowed by law.

Legal Validity in Colombia

If properly executed before a notary, prenuptial agreements are fully valid and enforceable in Colombia.

In the event of divorce or death, the authorities will respect what was agreed upon at the time of dividing assets.

International Validity

Here, caution is needed:

Each country has its own laws for recognizing prenuptial agreements signed abroad.

An agreement valid in Colombia will not always be recognized abroad; you may need to have it legalized there or sign a new one according to local laws.

If you plan to live or own property in multiple countries, it is best to sign equivalent agreements in each relevant jurisdiction.

In practice, if a couple with Colombian prenuptial agreements divorces in another country, the local judge may apply their own law and not respect the Colombian agreement if there are legal conflicts. That is why it is essential to seek international legal advice if you want your agreement to be respected abroad.

Can They Be Modified After Marriage?

Yes, but they are no longer called prenuptial agreements.

Any later change must also be done through a public deed before a notary, using the legal mechanisms allowed to modify the marital property regime after marriage.

Difference Between Separation of Assets and Prenuptial Agreements

• Separation of assets: An economic regime in which each spouse manages their assets independently, and no marital partnership exists.
• Prenuptial agreements: The legal instrument used before marriage to establish separation of assets or any other agreed regime.

Can same-sex couples marry civilly in Colombia?

There are no extra or special requirements based on sexual orientation.

The documents and process are the same as for any civil marriage:

• Notaries and public offices cannot refuse or place obstacles; in fact, they are required to provide the service under equal conditions.

Before 2016, same-sex couples could only formalize their relationship through common-law unions or arrangements such as a sociedad patrimonial (domestic partnership).

Today, same-sex marriage has full civil effects:

• Inheritance rights
• Social security benefits (e.g., adding your spouse to your health insurance)
• The possibility of applying for a spouse visa for foreigners
• Joint adoption under the same conditions as heterosexual couples

Marriage to a foreigner: How does it work when one party is foreign?

If you or your partner are of different nationalities, you may be wondering if it’s complicated to marry in Colombia.

The short answer: it’s not. Colombia places no obstacles on mixed marriages (Colombian with foreigner) nor on marriages between two foreigners celebrated in the country.

The process is practically the same as for any civil marriage, with some additional details to keep in mind.

Key Points When Marrying a Foreigner in Colombia

• Apostilled and translated documents: The foreign spouse must present their birth certificate, certificate of singleness or divorce decree, all apostilled from their country of origin.
  If a document does not exist in their system (for example, there is no certificate of singleness), it can be replaced with a sworn declaration at their consulate.
  Everything must be translated into Spanish by an official translator.
• Migration status: The foreigner can marry as a tourist but must be legally present in the country.
  Some notaries may even request a certificate of migration movements.
• Language: If they do not speak Spanish, an official translator is required for the ceremony.
• Notary with experience: It is advisable to choose a notary in a large city accustomed to handling procedures with foreigners.
• Names in the record: Names are recorded exactly as they appear in the original documents, so review them carefully to avoid issues later.

In short, marrying in Colombia as a binational couple is entirely feasible.
The most important things are to gather all the documentation, be patient with international paperwork, and choose a notary you trust.

Colombia welcomes international couples with open arms. In fact, every year many arrive to get married here—either because one partner is Colombian or because they want a destination wedding in Colombia with unique landscapes and culture.

💡 Key tip: After getting married, the foreign spouse will receive a Colombian civil marriage record, which will be useful when applying for a spouse visa (a topic we will cover later).

Marriages celebrated abroad: How to make them valid in Colombia

If you were married outside Colombia and want it recognized here, you generally need to register the marriage in the Colombian civil registry (often via notary protocolization).

Colombian civil status must be recorded in the civil registry system under the rules governing civil registry proof and validity.

Commonly requested documents

• Foreign marriage certificate (apostilled/legalized + translated if needed)
  
  
• Civil birth certificates
  
  
• IDs/passports
  
  
• Any supporting documents (children’s records, prenuptial agreements), if relevant
  
  

After registration, the marriage appears in Colombian records and can be used for immigration and civil procedures.

FAQs About This Topic

• Does it matter from which country we were married?
  No. Colombia will recognize civil marriages from any country—Spain, the United States, Mexico, France, or even more exotic destinations—as long as the certificate is properly apostilled.
  The only exception is ceremonies that have no civil validity in their country of origin (for example, a religious rite that does not confer legal marital status there).
• What if the foreign marriage is same-sex?
  It is also recognized. Since 2016, Colombia records same-sex marriages celebrated in countries where they are legal.
  The notary cannot refuse; the process is the same, but at least one spouse must be Colombian to register it here.
  If two foreigners without Colombian nationality marry abroad, there is generally no reason to register it in Colombia, since the country only keeps civil records for its nationals.
• What happens to property when registering a foreign marriage?
  If two Colombians married abroad and then register their marriage in Colombia, separation of property is presumed unless they attach prenuptial agreements stating otherwise.
  This is because a marital partnership (sociedad conyugal) may not have been formed abroad.
  In practice, the important thing is that once registered, your civil status will be “married” in Colombia.
  If you want to modify the economic regime (for example, establish a marital partnership), you must do so through prenuptial agreements before registration or, in some cases, afterward through a notary or judge.

Marriage Visa (M-Type Visa for Spouse of a Colombian) — Updated Rules for 2026

Since we’re talking about binational couples, let’s move on to the next step: the spouse visa.

When a Colombian marries a foreigner, the latter can apply for the M-Type (Migrant) Visa under the category Spouse of a Colombian National, also known as the “marriage visa.”

This visa allows you to live, work, and work toward permanent residency in Colombia.

How long does the process take?

Normally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds within 15 to 30 calendar days after the complete online application is submitted.
In many cases, approval comes within 2 to 4 weeks.

If the authority requests additional documents, interviews, or proof of the relationship, the time will be extended until you provide what’s required.

That’s why submitting everything correctly from the start is key to avoiding delays.

Once approved, you must leave your passport for visa stamping before traveling outside Colombia.

Can I apply for the M marriage Visa immediately after getting married?

Yes. As soon as you have your Colombian civil marriage certificate (issued within the last 3 months), you can start the online application. There is no minimum waiting period after getting married.

If the certificate is more than 90 days old, you must request an updated copy from the notary or civil registry before applying.

In addition to the marriage certificate, you will need:

• A signed letter from the Colombian spouse requesting the visa and declaring cohabitation, with their contact details.
• A copy of the Colombian spouse’s ID card (cédula).
• Migration movement certificates for both spouses.
• Special power of attorney, if applicable.

Can I work in Colombia with the M spouse visa?

Yes! This visa grants open work authorization, which means you can engage in any lawful work activity in Colombia:

• Work as an employee.
• Be self-employed.
• Or even start your own business.

Best of all: you don’t need any additional procedures to do so.

However, you must comply with labor laws: a proper contract, benefits, and enrollment in the social security system.

Once the visa is stamped in your passport, you can:

• Apply for your cédula de extranjería (foreigner ID card).
• Start working or running a business immediately.
• Study, join the healthcare system, and contribute to the pension system.

How long does the M marriage visa last and can I re apply?

• Validity: Up to 3 years per issuance.
• Re-apply: Unlimited, as long as the marriage is still valid and you meet the requirements.
• Renewal requirements: Similar to the initial application (recent marriage certificate, spouse’s letter, etc.).

Path to Residency

Permanent Residency (R Visa) can be requested after 5 continuous years with the M Spouse Visa (it used to be 3 years).

⚠️ Note: If you let your visa expire, the time count resets.

📌 Recommendations:

• Renew at least 2 months before expiration.
• Visa continuity also counts toward nationality by marriage:
  • 2 years if you live in Colombia.
  • 3 years if you live abroad.

Can I apply for the marriage visa from abroad?

Yes. You don’t have to be in Colombia to apply.

In fact, the process is 100% online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs platform, from anywhere in the world.

This is especially useful if, for example:

• You got married in Colombia and then traveled abroad.
• The foreign spouse had to leave the country after the wedding in Colombia.

How is the process from abroad?

1. Complete the visa application form on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
2. Upload all scanned documents.
3. Pay the application fee online.

If the visa is approved:

• From abroad, you choose the Colombian consulate where you want the visa stamped in your passport.
• If you are in Colombia, stamping is done in Bogotá at the Visa Center.

Practical Details

• You can apply from abroad as long as you already have your Colombian civil marriage certificate (hence the importance of registering the marriage if it took place abroad).
• If applying from abroad, you do not submit the cédula de extranjería (this is only required for those in Colombia).
• Payment can be made with an international credit card.
• Once approved, you have 30 days to go to the chosen consulate or the Visa Center in Colombia for stamping. If you don’t do it within this period, the approval becomes invalid.

Advantage: You can enter Colombia directly with your visa already in place. For example, if you married during a trip, returned to your country, and later want to come back, you can arrange the visa there and return with your migration status in order.

In short: Yes, you can process it from any country—just make sure you have internet access, all required documentation, and schedule the stamping appointment.

If I get divorced, what happens to my M spouse visa?

The M Spouse Visa depends directly on the marriage.

If it ends through divorce or the death of the Colombian spouse, the legal basis for the visa disappears and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must cancel it.

By law, the foreign visa holder must immediately notify the Visa and Foreigners Registration Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the change in marital status.

Failing to do so can lead to sanctions and migration issues, since the databases of the Civil Registry and Immigration are connected.

Consequences of Divorce

• You cannot renew the M Visa if the marriage is no longer valid.
• You must change to another visa category (work, investor, student, etc.) or leave the country before your status becomes irregular.
• In the event of the Colombian spouse’s death, the same rule applies: the visa must be canceled and you must seek a new migration status.

Grace Period

The regulation does not set a fixed timeframe, but in practice the Ministry may grant a few days or weeks to allow you to apply for another visa or arrange your departure.

Important Exception

If you have already obtained the Resident Visa (R) after completing the 5-year period as a spouse, divorce does not affect your status—the residency is an independent right from the marital bond.

Recommendation: If you are going through a divorce and wish to remain in Colombia, seek legal or migration advice immediately.

M spouse visa vs. M permanent partner visa

In Colombia, there are two types of visas for couples with a Colombian citizen:

• Based on legal marriage.
• Based on common-law union (permanent partners).

In practice, both allow you to reside and work, but there are key differences:

Legal recognition of the relationship

• Spouse Visa: requires a Colombian marriage certificate (civil or religious registered).
• Permanent Partner Visa: requires proof of a common-law union (unión marital de hecho) declared before a notary, judge, or conciliation center, with at least 1 year having passed since it was formalized before applying for the visa.

Waiting time

• Marriage: immediate process; you can get married today and apply for the visa tomorrow.
• Common-law union: you formalize the union, wait 1 year, and only then can you apply.

💡 This is why many couples choose to get legally married to skip this waiting period.

Visa validity

• Spouse: up to 3 years per issuance.
• Permanent Partner: only 1 year per issuance (annual renewal).

Time accumulation for residency

In both cases, the waiting period to apply for permanent residency is 5 years.
The difference is that with a spouse visa, you may only have to renew once, while with a permanent partner visa you must renew annually several times.

Legal commitment of the Colombian partner

In both visas, the Colombian partner must write a letter declaring the cohabitation.
In the case of a common-law union, there is more emphasis on the relationship being unique, stable, and monogamous.

Conclusion:

• If you are already married, the M Spouse Visa is faster and requires fewer renewals.
• If you don’t want to get married, the common-law union also works, but it requires more time and procedures.
• Many couples have a civil wedding in Colombia to speed up the process and later, if they wish, celebrate a religious or symbolic ceremony.

Common-Law union (Unión Marital de Hecho) in Colombia

Now that we’ve seen in detail how civil marriage works in Colombia—its requirements, costs, and the impact it can have on immigration procedures such as the M Spouse Visa—it’s important to note that not all couples choose to get formally married.

In Colombia, there is also a legal figure that recognizes and protects couples who live together in a stable manner without getting married: the Common-Law Union (Unión Marital de Hecho).

Below, we will explore in depth what it consists of, how it is formalized, what rights it grants, and its key differences compared to marriage.

What is it and how does it differ from marriage?

The Common-Law Union (Unión Marital de Hecho, UMH) is the stable and permanent cohabitation between two people who form a family without being married. It is recognized by Colombian law and can generate rights and obligations very similar to marriage, although with key differences:

• Formality: Marriage is a solemn act that changes the marital status to “married” immediately. The common-law union only grants the status of “permanent partners” when it is declared before a competent authority (notary, judge, or conciliation center).
• Personal obligations: In marriage, there are explicit legal duties (fidelity, cohabitation, mutual support). In a common-law union, these are not codified in the same way, although in practice they are often fulfilled.
• Property: In marriage, the conjugal partnership is created from the day of the wedding in Colombia if there are no prenuptial agreements. In a common-law union, the de facto marital partnership is consolidated after 2 years of cohabitation from the declaration.
• Dissolution: Marriage requires a legal divorce; a common-law union ends when cohabitation ceases, although if there are joint assets, the partnership must be liquidated through a notary or judge.
• How is a common-law union declared?

The UMH only has full legal effects if it is formalized. This can be done in three ways:

1. By mutual agreement before a Notary (most common): both partners go to a notary, state their intent, and the notary drafts a public deed with the start date of cohabitation and other relevant details.
2. At a Conciliation Center: a conciliation act is drawn up with the same content.
3. Through court proceedings (Family Judge): when there is no agreement or one party denies the union. The judge, after reviewing evidence and testimonies, issues a ruling and orders its registration.

📌 In any of these ways, the union is legally recognized, and the couple acquires the civil status of permanent partners.

Required documents

To declare it before a notary (mutual agreement), the following are required:

• Identification documents:
  • Colombians: citizenship ID.
  • Foreigners: foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería) or valid passport.
  • At least one must be a Colombian or a foreigner domiciled in Colombia (proof of domicile may be required).
• Civil birth records:
  • Authentic copies issued within the last 3 months.
  • Colombians: with updated marital status.
  • Foreigners: apostilled and translated birth certificate. If previously married, proof of divorce or death certificate of previous spouse.
• Declaration request or draft: with start date of cohabitation, no legal impediments, and requesting the declaration.
• Birth records of common children (optional). If there are minor children with assets, a prior solemn inventory must be made.
• Special power of attorney (only if one party is not attending). Must be notarized in Colombia or apostilled if issued abroad.

💡 A lawyer is not required; the process is straightforward if the documents are in order.

Minimum cohabitation period

• There is no minimum time required to declare it; it can be done from the start of cohabitation.
• Property partnership: usually consolidated after 2 years of effective cohabitation from the declaration.

Legal benefits

Declaring a common-law union grants protections very similar to marriage:

• Property rights: after 2 years, assets acquired during cohabitation are presumed to belong equally to both partners.
• Social security and pension: allows you to enroll your permanent partner and access survivor’s pension (meeting requirements).
• Inheritance rights: the permanent partner is a compulsory heir, even without a will.
• Exemption from military service: for the recognized male partner as head of household.
• Other benefits: access to insurance, housing programs, immigration benefits, and recognition as a family unit.

Registration and validity

• In Colombia: registration is not mandatory, but highly recommended to ensure rights and avoid disputes.
• Abroad: recognition will depend on local laws; the deed can be apostilled to facilitate the process.
• Same-sex couples: can declare it under the same conditions as heterosexual couples, with the same requirements and benefits.

Dissolution of the union

• Personal: simply ceasing cohabitation ends the union; there is no “divorce” procedure.
• Property: if there are joint assets, the partnership must be liquidated (by mutual agreement at a notary or before a judge if there is disagreement).
• Timeframe: it is recommended to liquidate within a year of separation to avoid losing rights.

Ready to get married or formalize your relationship in Colombia?

At Nexo Legal, we can guide you every step of the way:

• Review and preparation of documents.
• Declaration of common-law union or civil marriage.
• Notarial and registry procedures.
• Visa applications for your partner (if foreign).

Contact us today and tell us about your case.
Nexo Legal – your trusted partner to ensure your union or marriage is valid, secure, and recognized both in Colombia and abroad.

Official Sources – Marriage in Colombia 2026

1️⃣ Civil Marriage & Registration Framework

Legal Basis

• Colombian Civil Code (Código Civil Colombiano) – Articles 113–182 (Marriage regulations)
• Decree 1260 of 1970 – Civil Registry Statute

Official Authority

• Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil
  Civil registry, marriage registration, and annotation procedures
  https://www.registraduria.gov.co
• Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro
  Annual notarial tariff resolutions (fees updated yearly by CPI)
  https://www.supernotariado.gov.co

2️⃣ Same-Sex Marriage Legal Recognition

• Constitutional Court of Colombia
  Ruling SU-214/2016 – Marriage equality decision
  https://www.corteconstitucional.gov.co

3️⃣ Religious Marriage with Civil Effects

• Law 25 of 1992
• Concordat between Colombia and the Holy See
• Agreements between the Colombian State and legally recognized churches

Official registration through:

• Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil

4️⃣ Common-Law Union (Unión Marital de Hecho)

• Law 54 of 1990 (as amended by Law 979 of 2005)
• Colombian Civil Code provisions on patrimonial partnership

Formalization before:

• Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro
• Family Courts

5️⃣ M-Type Spouse Visa (Marriage Visa)

Governing Regulation:

• Resolution 5477 of 2022 (Visa Regime)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa manual updates 2025–2026

Issued by:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
  https://www.cancilleria.gov.co

Migration control:

• Migración Colombia
  https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co

6️⃣ Divorce & Liquidation of Marital Partnership

• Colombian Civil Code
• Law 962 of 2005 (Notarial divorce by mutual consent)
• Family procedural regulations

7️⃣ Notarial Fees 2026

• Annual tariff resolution issued by the Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro
  Adjusted annually according to CPI published by DANE

DANE
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
https://www.dane.gov.co