HOW TO OBTAIN DUAL CITIZENSHIP IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN BORN TO COLOMBIAN PARENTS:
Did you know that if you were born in the United States and at least one of your parents is a Colombian citizen, you have the right to claim your dual citizenship?
The reason this is important for me to share is because I recently became a Colombian citizen, woohoo! So many paperwork and guidelines can be overwhelming so I want to share my experience and each step I took to make it easier for my fellow Colombian Americans. I really do hope this helps!
The above video explains the detailed steps to obtain your Colombian citizenship.
For example, I was born in Seattle, WA and my parents are both from Medellin, Colombia. After 26 years, I finally found the energy and time to get my Colombian passport for the first time. It’s never too late!
The 3 documents you will obtain are:
- Colombian Birth Certificate / Regsitro Civil de Nacimiento (even if you were born elsewhere)
- Identification Card / Cédula de Ciudadania por Primera Vez
- Colombian Passport / Pasaporte Colombiano
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What you must bring to your appointment at the Colombian Consulate:
- Apostille* your Original or Certified copy of your American birth certificate ($15)
- Know your blood type
- 3 photos (~$15, that will be taken near the Consulate)
- USD $140 in cash for the Colombian Passport. The Birth Certificate and ID are free for the first time.
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Below you will find the specific links I used for the Seattle area. If you were born in a different state, please search for your Secretary of State website to have your original or certified copy Birth Certificate Apostilled*.
1. Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate (born in King County of Washington State):
http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/vital-statistics/birth.aspx
2. Apostille your Certified Birth Certificate (find your nearest Secretary of State)
Washington State Secretary of State:
https://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/apostilles/HowtoobtainanApostilleorCertification.aspx
3. Colombian Consulate in Vancouver, BC:
http://vancouver.consulado.gov.co/
4. Vancouver Colombian Consulate Appointment Center:
https://tramites.cancilleria.gov.co/Ciudadano/inicio.aspx?oficina=CANVAN
5. General information regarding the Colombian Birth Certificate / Registro Civil:
http://vancouver.consulado.gov.co/tramites_servicios/tramites_exterior/registro_civil
6. General information regarding the Colombian ID / Cédula de Ciudadania (and photo dimensions):
http://vancouver.consulado.gov.co/tramites_servicios/tramites_exterior/cedula_ciudadania
7. General information regarding Colombian passport:
http://vancouver.consulado.gov.co/tramites_servicios/pasaportes
*What is an Apostille?
An “apostille” is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. A list of countries that accept apostilles is provided by the US State Department.
If the country of intended use does not participate in the Hague Convention , documents being sent to that country can be “authenticated” or “certified”.
The Office of the Secretary of State provides apostille and authentication service to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas. Types of documents include corporate documents such as company bylaws and articles of incorporation, power of attorney, diplomas, transcripts, letters relating to degrees, marital status, references and job certifications, home studies, deeds of assignments, distributorship agreements, papers for adoption purposes, etc. The U.S. State Department provides general information about document authentications and apostilles under the Hague Convention of 1961 .
The best part: they’re cheap!
They are so perfect for a movie night in, share at work or have a baking night with your kids or nieces and nephews (or by myself)!
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