passport and cedula help

elkfarmer says on Feb 7, 2009, 21:06:

no that is not true. You are an American citizen now with an American passport. that is all you need.

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viajero123 says on Feb 7, 2009, 21:10:

Even though it might be a hassle, I think you should just obtain you Colombian passport and cedula from your nearest consulate if you still consider yourself Colombian. Americans don't let dual citizens enter or leave the US on a foreign passport and Colombian authorities are not supposed to allow it either (although they sure do).

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viajero123 says on Feb 8, 2009, 04:43:

Her US pasport would say she was born in Colombia. And it is not a travel restriction, it is just about applying the same principle as the US applies to any American dual citizens. If you are American and French citizen, and live in France, you can't enter the US for a short visit with a French passport, even if you've been living for 25 years in France and don't currently hold a US passport. Why would Americans then expect their citizens to act differently towards other countries?

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teeo9111 says on Feb 8, 2009, 06:32:

You are a U.S. citizen with a U.S. passport it doesn't matter where you were born,you can travel freely to and from Colombia,end of story....

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honey says on Feb 8, 2009, 07:23:

Nanita-

It does matter.

I am also naturalized and I came to the US when I was seven months old. When a Colombian (which you are) enters Colombia, he/she must do so with a Colombian passport, "...en calidad de Colombiano..." -- I believe are the exact words. Even when I used to show my US passport first I was always asked for my Colombian passport AND cedula. Of course you might "get over" but it's a risk. Like Viajeros says, the authorities don't always do what they are supposed to do.


THIS IS FROM THE COLOMBIAN CONSULATE WEBSITE:
"De otra parte el nacional colombiano que posea otra nacionalidad, en el territorio colombiano deberá someterse a la Constitución Política y a las leyes de la República. En consecuencia su ingreso y permanencia deberá hacerse siempre en calidad de colombiano y se identificará como tal, para todos los actos de carácter civil o político."


Now, what I have never understood is why when I present my Colombian Passport, I am asked for my "residencia." When I say I don't have one, they ask for my US Passport. It happens every time. Why is that since I am Colombian entering Colombia with a Colombian passport?

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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honey says on Feb 8, 2009, 08:59:

tomtom:

I hope we are talking about the same thing. The USCIS website does call it the "Naturalization Process." But to indirectly answer your McCain question, I am a naturalized American Citizen born in Colombia and I still consider myself Colombian.

The U.S. Government recognizes that dual citizenship exists, but does not endorse it

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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edpeluffo says on Feb 8, 2009, 09:22:

My passport says I was born in Colombia, however I hold Panamanian Citizenzhip as well as U.S. They always ask me for a cedula or passport and they always look at me funny when I tell them that I am not a Colombian Citizen; they just look at me and I have to explain that I left at 5 years of age to Panama and never returned until recently; Then I show my Panamanian Passport.

I tried to get a cedula but the requirements seem overly complicated. So far I haven't have any "Legal" problems, they just look at you weird and make feel like a traitor of some sort ;)

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Gator says on Feb 8, 2009, 14:41:

McCain's sitution was different he was not "born"in Panama. The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, Article III The Republic of Panama grants to the United States all the rights, power and authority within the zone mention and described in Article II of this agreement and within the limits of all auxiliary lands and waters mentioned and described in said Article II which the United States would possess and exercise if it were the sovereign of the territory within which said lands and waters are located to the entire exclusion of the exercise by the Republic of Panama of any such sovereign rights, power or authority. 8 U.S.C. 1403(a) Any person born in the Canal Zone on or after February 26, 1904, and whether before or after the effective date of this chapter, whose father or mother or both at the time of the birth of such person was or is a citizen of the United States, is declared to be a citizen of the United States.

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

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tcollins says on Feb 8, 2009, 15:32:

Nanita...Colombia accept the dual citizenship...It is your choice to have both.
Also consider to pay taxes in Colombia when you are here and have an income
in the USA.
The benefits..will be to vote and pay taxes...=)

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edpeluffo says on Feb 8, 2009, 16:58:

I believe John McCain could choose the Panamanian citizenship if he would like to. It is my understaning Panama sees anybody born in Panama as Panamanian; including the Canal Zone. The guy the signed that treaty was not Panamanian if I remember correctly.

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nanita35 says on Feb 8, 2009, 19:27:

Thanks everyone! From what you guys have said and some research on my part it looks like I'm going to have to get either get the docs or renounce my Colombian citizenship :- / I do consider myself a Colombian as well as an American. Colombia es mi tierra natal is siempre estara en mi sangre, corazon y alma.

P.S. Its obvious I need to be a better Colombian citizen and keep up with my stuff!! :-)

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roloenNJ says on Feb 9, 2009, 03:26:

I really dont get your comment to renounce to your Colombian Citizenship, your passport should said US ur entenring the country as a USC therefore why would you get a Cedula and a Colombian passport if there is no record of your been a citizen of Colombia. You confuse me!

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nanita35 says on Feb 9, 2009, 06:56:

Ok, roloenNJ let me see if I can clarify for you: My US passport says that I was born in Colombia. Being born there I am an automatic/natural citizen of Colombia. I am a naturalized citizen of the US. I have dual citizenship one in Colombia and one in the US. Once I am in Colombian territory I have to abide by the laws and rules of Colombia and they require that I have a Colombian passport and cedula as forms of Id when traveling. If I decide to renounce or say that I no longer want to be a Colombian citizen then I don't need any paperwork from Colombia since then I will only be a US citizen not a have dual citizenship. But in order to renounce my Colombian citizenship I have to file some paperwork anyways.
Does that help??

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roloenNJ says on Feb 9, 2009, 07:01:

ohh ok yea go to the Colombian consulate get a cedula and than you colombian Passport dont renounce to ur Colombian citizenship, they would treat you like crap once you got there and tell them that. They going to tell you that is going to take a long time to apporved you renouncing ur colombian citizenship......they do it on purpose is better just to get your cedula and colombian passport

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Gator says on Feb 9, 2009, 09:10:

Same as Mrs.Gator's-might be a USA Passport but her place of birth is listed as "Colombia" No way to avoid this information. If you want to renounce, which is stupid, your consulate can accommodate you very quickly and it is a fairly simple process. To do this you must submit certain paper work including the original of your Colombian passport and cedula. Most consulates have this information on their web sites

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

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Feb 9, 2009, 09:15:

nanita, The law does state that you are supposed to enter the country with a Colombian passport. However, they won't stop you from entering the country with your US passport. The immigration agent may chastise you, but he will stamp your US passport and let you in. My parents were born in Colombia, but they occasionally use their US passports to enter the country.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Former President of the Galaxy and inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

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vicshere says on Feb 9, 2009, 09:45:

CG you make have a bigger problem on exiting colombia if they notice you were born here

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Feb 9, 2009, 09:47:

Vic, In my experience, I've never seen it be a problem. The DAS agents will give you some grief, but they won't stop you from boarding your flight. They just like to talk smack. I am a dual citizen and although I was born in the US, they still ask me why I don't carry a Colombian passport.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Former President of the Galaxy and inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

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vicshere says on Feb 9, 2009, 10:06:

yes but you were born in the US they cant touch you....but a colombia is bound to carry a colombian passport.....it was in a thread a couple of months ago where someone got held up and had to stay and get a colombian passport before they could board

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viajero123 says on Feb 9, 2009, 10:07:

I wonder what would happen to a US citizen trying to enter the US for a visit with a foreign passport. Anyone had any experiences?

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vicshere says on Feb 9, 2009, 10:09:

i think as of this year you cant enter the US unless you have a vaild passport>>>>correct??

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Feb 9, 2009, 10:14:

Vic, I was referring to my parents' experience as well. They were born in Colombia and they often enter Colombia with a US passport. They only use the Colombian one when they intend to stay for more than a month.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Former President of the Galaxy and inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

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Gator says on Feb 9, 2009, 15:39:

depending upon the country you would need a visa with a foreign passport-i.e. travelling with a Colombian passport to the USA without a visa I doubt you would be allowed to board the plane.

Mrs. Gator holds dual citizenship and has had grief from DAS but always allowed entry or exit from Colombia.

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

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