Expert: MRZ - 1/24/2009

Question
Hello, I am 24 years old and i was born in Colombia but i came to live in the USA since i was 7yrs. I have never travel to Colombia or outside of Florida so I've never used a passport. As you can imagine my passport expired many years ago and i need to renew it because I'm getting married and going on a cruise for my honeymoon. I have my permanent residency alien card and need information on how to renew my passport. all i have as far as Colombian documents is my birth certificate and old passport. What are the next steps and how long will it take?

Paul Quintero
Miami, FL

Answer
Hello,
Since you are over the age of 18, first thing you need to do is apply for your cedula, which is Colombia's official ID. You need to get a recent copy of your notarized birth certificate. You need to get 3 passport size pictures and go to your nearest Colombian consulate. Applying for a first time cedula is free. You will be issued a temporary document called a contrasena, you will not get your cedula until a year from the time of application. Sometimes they will allow you to get a new passport with the contrasena, most often they will not allow it and you will have to wait for your cedula. Just ask at the consulate when you get your contrasena.
If you have any other questions let me know.
You can reach me directly at info@colombianpossibilities.com
Thanks
Marta