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Got married, registered the marriage at the consulate, and then divorced in the U.S. what next?

Hi there!

I got married in the U.S. eight years ago and registered my marriage in the Colombian consulate right away, then three years ago I got divorced here in the U.S. as well. I hadn't worried about the Colombian "Registro Civil de Matrimonio" until now because I am going to get married again in December here in the U.S.

I won't have any problems getting married here because over here my divorce is legal, so I am not worried about that. I just want to get everything straighten out in Colombia because both my husband to be and I are Colombians, and I know if I don't fix this now it will come to hunt me down the line.

I just want to know if anyone has dealt with the same situation, and has been able to get a "sentencia de divorcio" valid in Colombia. I think all you have to do is go to the consulate and file your divorce, but I am not sure...

I don't want to have to go through a very complicated procedure.

I need advice please. I would really appreciate it!!!

Pixe

By pixelada on Oct 19, 2009, 00:48 in Visa & paperwork.

davidyamiga says on Oct 19, 2009, 05:40:

Pixelada...I am US citizen and was married to a Colombiana, whom I married in Colombia.. I got the visa for her to live with me in the USA. After she became a US citizen, she dumped me and have a legal divorce. As far as I know, I am divorced in not only in the USA, but in the whole world. I do not think you have to do anything.

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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suizo says on Oct 19, 2009, 06:19:

Usually the validity of a marriage registration in a foreign country is dependent of the validity of the original marriage certificate. However, you should consult a colombian lawyer to be sure; should not cost you too much...this is not rocket science.

Crackheads suck!

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davidyamiga says on Oct 19, 2009, 06:57:

Or you can contact he consulate where you live. They may just ask you to apostille the divorce decree, which may need to be translated to Spanish.

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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lawyer CO says on Oct 19, 2009, 07:42:

For David and Pixe.
Let me tell you that you are not divorced in Colombia, because each country has independent jurisdiction. Therefore you need to do a divorce in Colombia or ask for an exequator procedure ( which is the acceptance of the foreign divorce in Colombia)

Esteban Rada
colombian lawyer

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theflatline says on Oct 19, 2009, 08:40:

Actually,

Colombia recognizes the US divorce you just need to get it recognized. My father gets them done all the time.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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Rabeka says on Oct 19, 2009, 08:40:

I did not know about registering a marriage at the consulate. My husband is Colombian and i am American we live in the us. We are going to register our son but never thought to register our marriage....what are the pros and cons of registering the marriage? We may want to live in Colombia someday many years down the line.

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scumbuster says on Oct 19, 2009, 08:56:

I was married in the US but we had to register our marriage in Colombia so I can get a spousal visa. You may need to show diviorce papers in Colombia to prove your no longer married.

Tomas Jefferson “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

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Gator says on Oct 19, 2009, 10:59:

Esteban is, as usual spot on.

Rebeka, register you marriage with the consulate having jurisdiction where you live- you may need a current copy, aspostille and translation. No cons that I can think of-pro it will save you a lot of hassle if you try and do it in Colombia.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Rabeka says on Oct 19, 2009, 11:54:

thanks gator.

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davidyamiga says on Oct 19, 2009, 14:49:

Gator...R u saying I should register my US divorce in Colombia? If so, how do I go about it?

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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Gator says on Oct 19, 2009, 19:55:

Where did the marriage take place?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Gator says on Oct 19, 2009, 20:00:

If you got married IN Colombia then DIVORCED in the USA you have a problem- If this applies to your situation consult with a competent Colombian attorney

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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davidyamiga says on Oct 20, 2009, 05:51:

Yes. I got married in Colombia and divorced in USA.

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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Gator says on Oct 20, 2009, 10:40:

Then it becomes complicated

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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lawyer CO says on Oct 20, 2009, 13:23:

David has to request an exequator petition. Not an easy or cheap process but the only way that colombian law accepts foreign judgment decision over acts done in Colombia

Esteban Rada
colombia lawyer
email: lawyerscolombia at yahoo.com

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Gator says on Oct 20, 2009, 18:36:

Thanks, Estaban

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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