Getting divorce in Colombia as a US citizen

Esteban Rada
Colombian attorney
www.lawyerscolombia.com
email: info@lawyerscolombia.com
telephone 57-311-7693976

During my 17 years of experience as Colombian attorney, I have been asked thousands of times how the process is of getting divorce in Colombia being a US citizen.

I always answer that it depends on the type of divorce but in general terms here are the requirements.

  1. Non contested divorce-mutual agreement divorce in Colombia for a US citizen

The process is done by the attorney and there is no need to come to Colombia in person. The attorney would send the agreement of divorce and the power of attorney to sign.

You need to send also copy of your passport and depending on the notary, certified and apostille copy of your birth certificate.

The estimate time when no children and no property in this type of Colombian divorce involving a US citizen, is around 30 days.

  1. Contested divorce or trial divorce in Colombia for a US citizen.

With the new law for virtual hearing, there is no need for you to come to Colombia as a US citizen and no need to have residence in Colombia to start the process of divorce. However, you need to attend the hearings online when judge orders to.

It is important that your attorney gets a certified Colombian translator to help you during the process.

In addition, you need to send notarized power of attorney and copy of your birth certificate.

The estimated time is difficult to predict because it depends on several factors such as the city of the divorce, the court, the agenda, and the time of the year. I have seen cases resolved in 60 days but also cases of 8 months.

  1. Contested divorce and as a US citizen I want full custody of my child who is in Colombia.

If the case is in family court, the hearing will be online but if the case regarding child custody is in administrative procedure, hearings will be in person.

I understand that each case is different, and the US citizen may have questions about the process and its requirements.

Please contact me for further information.

Esteban Rada
Colombian attorney
www.lawyerscolombia.com
email: info@lawyerscolombia.com
telephone 57-311-7693976

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