Expert: MRZ - 2/12/2008

Question
I am dating a man from Colombia, South America. Before it becomes serious to the point of marriage, I have a couple of concerns. I wonder what we can do to have duo citizenship...in the United States and in Colombia. Where do we start?

Answer
Hi Carolyn,
Regardless of where you marry him your marriage will be legally recognized in both countries, which will give you both dual citizenship after a couple of years and much paperwork to file in both countries.
The paperwork you will need to prepare for the marriage depends on the type of ceremony you are planning on having. Church or Civil. if it is a civil ceremony what you will generally need, and I say generally because it also depends on the Public Notary that you choose, is a certificate of singlehood, a document written by at least 2 people that have known you for at least 5 years certifying that you are single and have never been married if that is the case, this has to be done within the last 3 months. You need this document notarized and apostilled. If you have been married, then you need your divorce papers, notarized and apostilled as well. You will need for both of you notarized birth certificates obtained within the last 3 months, for your fiance this certificate needs to be notarized and apostilled.
Our agency can help you gather your fiance's documents and get them legalized here in Colombia. We can also handle the apostille service for documents in the United States. If you require help in filing papers with the Immigration service for your fiance's updated status we can also help.
Hope this answered your question, and if you need any assistance please let us know. You can reach me by phone at 703-652-3850 or email at info@colombianpossibilities.com.
Thanks