Colombia Club

[Brian and Yenys 0]

This question arose during a conversation between my wife and I, and I was just wondering if anyone had an answer. If my wife and I have a child in the United States, can we apply for Colombian citizenship for the child, so that the child can have both U.S. and Colombian citizenship? Or would the child have to be born in Colombia in order to do that?

Dont Worry you can apply for the Colombian Citizenship for the Child, According with the Politic Constitution of Colombia in the ART. 96 .. Should be not problem for that.

Brian and Yenys

[Bill y Bella 0]

Hi folks. I am in Bogota and just stopped in to VJCC to catch up.

First of all, a belated Happy Holidays to everyone!

Next, good luck to Byron & Leidy and MV & JR! With all the information available here in the Colombia Club I know you must be better prepared than 99% of other couples so try to relax.

Our petition arrived at the embassy today (14 days after the NOA2) and we will be faxing in our package 3 response tomorrow.

Has anyone who has been through the interview had to deal with a less than ideal situation in regards to a common language? Bella speaks very little English and my Spanish is adequate for us to communicate because she goes slowly and is patient with me while I try to figure out what she is saying. On the other hand, if someone hits me with some rapid fire Spanish I can get lost very quickly.

This is the one area that worries me. I think we are very strong on everything else. I keeping seeing a scenario in my head where I get called into the interview and the CO makes no effort to help me understand the questions and my Spanish is judged to be inadequate. My biggest fear is that we are denied on the basis of a lack of a common language.

And finally, Bella already has her Certificado Judicial and it is dated June 21, 2007. Will this be acceptable for a February interview? I think I read several times that it is good for one year, but I can´t find confirmation that the embassy will accept one that old.

Thanks!

[Brian and Yenys 0]

Hi folks. I am in Bogota and just stopped in to VJCC to catch up.

First of all, a belated Happy Holidays to everyone!

Next, good luck to Byron & Leidy and MV & JR! With all the information available here in the Colombia Club I know you must be better prepared than 99% of other couples so try to relax.

Our petition arrived at the embassy today (14 days after the NOA2) and we will be faxing in our package 3 response tomorrow.

Has anyone who has been through the interview had to deal with a less than ideal situation in regards to a common language? Bella speaks very little English and my Spanish is adequate for us to communicate because she goes slowly and is patient with me while I try to figure out what she is saying. On the other hand, if someone hits me with some rapid fire Spanish I can get lost very quickly.

This is the one area that worries me. I think we are very strong on everything else. I keeping seeing a scenario in my head where I get called into the interview and the CO makes no effort to help me understand the questions and my Spanish is judged to be inadequate. My biggest fear is that we are denied on the basis of a lack of a common language.

And finally, Bella already has her Certificado Judicial and it is dated June 21, 2007. Will this be acceptable for a February interview? I think I read several times that it is good for one year, but I can´t find confirmation that the embassy will accept one that old.

Thanks!

Hi Bill, Congrats, Your Process is speeding up Now... It's very awesome!... Bella's Certicado Judicial Should be not problem, I had Mine Dated Old Too, We did not have any problem with that. If You send the Package 3 Tomorrow You may get a January Interview.

Happy New Year.

God Bless You,

Brian and Yenys

[Matt y Fernanda 0]

This question arose during a conversation between my wife and I, and I was just wondering if anyone had an answer. If my wife and I have a child in the United States, can we apply for Colombian citizenship for the child, so that the child can have both U.S. and Colombian citizenship? Or would the child have to be born in Colombia in order to do that?

Hi Matt

Your kid will be able to have dual citizenship, because of your wife, if you want to do it here in the US you call the closest Colombian Embassy and find out what you need to bring, It won't be necessary (my opinion) unless you're planning in having the baby or later in life "the kid" to spend more than 3 months in Colombia.

I was born in Colombia and had my daughter here in the US, I went back to Colombia after my divorce and lived there for 8 yrs, I didn't know at the time I needed her to have a Colombian passport to travel out of Colombia, she was then "Illegal", I had to go and take a passport for her, but I went through a lot during the yrs. she was flying back and fort, make your life simple and save money.

Once again, it's just my opinion, because what I went through, I’ll not do it again unless it’s necessary.

Ana

First I want to thank everyone for their help.

Ana,

It is basically just my wife that wants the kids to have the dual citizenship. I have no objections to it, but I really do not see the need for it. She thinks it will make travel easier, but after reviewing the Dept of State site it said individuals holding dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Colombia need a Colombian passport to enter/exit Colombia and a U.S. passport to enter/exit the U.S.. Is this the trouble you ran into? So you would only recommend the dual citizenship if the children planned on spending more than 3 months in Colombia? I just want to do what is best, and I guess if them having dual citizenship makes her happy that is the right thing to do.

[SteveSandyHill 0]

Hi folks. I am in Bogota and just stopped in to VJCC to catch up.

First of all, a belated Happy Holidays to everyone!

Next, good luck to Byron & Leidy and MV & JR! With all the information available here in the Colombia Club I know you must be better prepared than 99% of other couples so try to relax.

Our petition arrived at the embassy today (14 days after the NOA2) and we will be faxing in our package 3 response tomorrow.

Has anyone who has been through the interview had to deal with a less than ideal situation in regards to a common language? Bella speaks very little English and my Spanish is adequate for us to communicate because she goes slowly and is patient with me while I try to figure out what she is saying. On the other hand, if someone hits me with some rapid fire Spanish I can get lost very quickly.

This is the one area that worries me. I think we are very strong on everything else. I keeping seeing a scenario in my head where I get called into the interview and the CO makes no effort to help me understand the questions and my Spanish is judged to be inadequate. My biggest fear is that we are denied on the basis of a lack of a common language.

And finally, Bella already has her Certificado Judicial and it is dated June 21, 2007. Will this be acceptable for a February interview? I think I read several times that it is good for one year, but I can´t find confirmation that the embassy will accept one that old.

Thanks!

Hello Bill,

Sandy and I share the language problem as well. In my opinion our case is also very solid (thanks in part to this forum)!

Yet I also have in the back of my head, being called upon to answer some questions in Spanish or her in English. We are learning eachothers languages and using translation software along the way! I have in fact created a tabbed section in our "additional evidence of a solid relationship" folder, with a copied link to the software website as well as some sample translations! But yes it would be nice to know how others have handled this, if in fact it has been an issue or not!

Steve & Sandy

[HAL 9000 96]

Hi folks. I am in Bogota and just stopped in to VJCC to catch up.

First of all, a belated Happy Holidays to everyone!

Next, good luck to Byron & Leidy and MV & JR! With all the information available here in the Colombia Club I know you must be better prepared than 99% of other couples so try to relax.

Our petition arrived at the embassy today (14 days after the NOA2) and we will be faxing in our package 3 response tomorrow.

Has anyone who has been through the interview had to deal with a less than ideal situation in regards to a common language? Bella speaks very little English and my Spanish is adequate for us to communicate because she goes slowly and is patient with me while I try to figure out what she is saying. On the other hand, if someone hits me with some rapid fire Spanish I can get lost very quickly.

This is the one area that worries me. I think we are very strong on everything else. I keeping seeing a scenario in my head where I get called into the interview and the CO makes no effort to help me understand the questions and my Spanish is judged to be inadequate. My biggest fear is that we are denied on the basis of a lack of a common language.

And finally, Bella already has her Certificado Judicial and it is dated June 21, 2007. Will this be acceptable for a February interview? I think I read several times that it is good for one year, but I can´t find confirmation that the embassy will accept one that old.

Thanks!

Hi Bill,

As long as its within 1yr, the Judicial will be OK.

The language issue is important as it is part of the CO repertoire in detecting fraudulent marriages. Make sure you highlight your Spanish skills and how she'll be learning English.

Happy Holidays!

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I was born in the US and my parents are from Colombia. I have gone to Colombia well over fifty times as a child and was never even registered as a Colombian citizen until a few years ago.

My parents went to the Colombian consulate with me and filled out some paperwork. Later, I applied for my cedula but i have not gotten a Colombian passport. I still enter and exit Colombia with my US passport. There is no detriment to getting dual citizenship. I believe that a male child born in the US could be exempted from military service. You can always buy his "libreta militar" which will definitely keep him out.

First I want to thank everyone for their help.

Ana,

It is basically just my wife that wants the kids to have the dual citizenship. I have no objections to it, but I really do not see the need for it. She thinks it will make travel easier, but after reviewing the Dept of State site it said individuals holding dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Colombia need a Colombian passport to enter/exit Colombia and a U.S. passport to enter/exit the U.S.. Is this the trouble you ran into? So you would only recommend the dual citizenship if the children planned on spending more than 3 months in Colombia? I just want to do what is best, and I guess if them having dual citizenship makes her happy that is the right thing to do.

Edited December 27, 2007 by ColombianoGringo

[HAL 9000 96]

This question arose during a conversation between my wife and I, and I was just wondering if anyone had an answer. If my wife and I have a child in the United States, can we apply for Colombian citizenship for the child, so that the child can have both U.S. and Colombian citizenship? Or would the child have to be born in Colombia in order to do that?

Hi Matt

Your kid will be able to have dual citizenship, because of your wife, if you want to do it here in the US you call the closest Colombian Embassy and find out what you need to bring, It won't be necessary (my opinion) unless you're planning in having the baby or later in life "the kid" to spend more than 3 months in Colombia.

I was born in Colombia and had my daughter here in the US, I went back to Colombia after my divorce and lived there for 8 yrs, I didn't know at the time I needed her to have a Colombian passport to travel out of Colombia, she was then "Illegal", I had to go and take a passport for her, but I went through a lot during the yrs. she was flying back and fort, make your life simple and save money.

Once again, it's just my opinion, because what I went through, I’ll not do it again unless it’s necessary.

Ana

First I want to thank everyone for their help.

Ana,

It is basically just my wife that wants the kids to have the dual citizenship. I have no objections to it, but I really do not see the need for it. She thinks it will make travel easier, but after reviewing the Dept of State site it said individuals holding dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Colombia need a Colombian passport to enter/exit Colombia and a U.S. passport to enter/exit the U.S.. Is this the trouble you ran into? So you would only recommend the dual citizenship if the children planned on spending more than 3 months in Colombia? I just want to do what is best, and I guess if them having dual citizenship makes her happy that is the right thing to do.

It will be their right to claim Colombian Citizenship... maybe they should be given the option to choose it?

I was born in the US and my parents are from Colombia. I have gone to Colombia well over fifty times as a child and was never even registered as a Colombian citizen until a few years ago.

My parents went to the Colombian consulate with me and filled out some paperwork. Later, I applied for my cedula but i have not gotten a Colombian passport. I still enter and exit Colombia with my US passport. There is no detriment to getting dual citizenship. I believe that a male child born in the US could be exempted from military service. You can always buy his "libreta militar" which will definitely keep him out.

First I want to thank everyone for their help.

Ana,

It is basically just my wife that wants the kids to have the dual citizenship. I have no objections to it, but I really do not see the need for it. She thinks it will make travel easier, but after reviewing the Dept of State site it said individuals holding dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Colombia need a Colombian passport to enter/exit Colombia and a U.S. passport to enter/exit the U.S.. Is this the trouble you ran into? So you would only recommend the dual citizenship if the children planned on spending more than 3 months in Colombia? I just want to do what is best, and I guess if them having dual citizenship makes her happy that is the right thing to do.

Also true!

[MV-JR 0]

Hello all! Tnks for the words of support, I am really nervous specially because I am going to the interview alone !!! Regarding the Pasado Judicial, since I went to the embassy last week to pick up package four I ask the lady if it would be ok to bring the one I had which expires on February, and she said it should be fine but It wouldn’t heart to get a new one.... so today I got a new one good for a year just in case!!

[Bill y Bella 0]

It looks like we are having 3 interviews on Dec 31. Byron-Leidy, Neophi & MV-JR.

I already wished good luck to Byron & MV-JR so I need to also send some good thoughts to Neophi. Knock em dead Felipe & Silvia!

Best of luck to everyone. It will be so exciting to read about 3 approvals when I get back to the states on the 31st.

[neophi 5]

This question arose during a conversation between my wife and I, and I was just wondering if anyone had an answer. If my wife and I have a child in the United States, can we apply for Colombian citizenship for the child, so that the child can have both U.S. and Colombian citizenship? Or would the child have to be born in Colombia in order to do that?

Sure... and if its a boy you can count on the young man being expected to do military service in Colombia... 18 months of it unless he got out of it.

lol I've had dual citizenship ever since I can remember and I did high school (except for senior year) in Bogota and never had to do military service. If that would ever happen just renounce the Colombian citizenship or defect back to the U.S. If you ever get caught on the street just play it as a gringo.

And now that I think about it, as far as I know, none of my friends from school did military service ever (even as Colombian citizens only). Maybe by paying libreta militar or something as someone mentioned in a previous post.

Benefits? None in the short run that I can think of other than voting in both countries but what if the U.S. crumbled or something you'll always also be a Colombian. Plus, if you ever decide moving back to Colombia you need your citizenship to work (unless you have a foreign business or something).

PS: SEE YOU GUYS ON MONDAY AT 5:30AM. Let me cut in line if I get there late hahahaha.

PSS: Thanks Bill and Bella for remembering us! Heheh.

Edited December 28, 2007 by neophi

[neophi 5]

May God bless us all on Monday as well as the CO!

[HAL 9000 96]

Let me hear of Monday as a 100% day! Best wishes guys!

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

PS: SEE YOU GUYS ON MONDAY AT 5:30AM. Let me cut in line if I get there late hahahaha.

PSS: Thanks Bill and Bella for remembering us! Heheh.

Felipe y Silvia,

OMG...THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU GUYS ON THE 31st TOO !!!

We didn't you forget guys...just a slight delay is all !!!!

[neophi 5]

Haha no problem. Thanks.

Btw, my wife went to the medical exam today with Dr. Roa and it went fine. Rumors on Dr. Roa seem to but just that. Myth is bust imo.

She did have to get undressed and in the robe, but she never felt uncomfortable and he didn't give her any bad vibes, nor weird looks. That goes a long way because my wife is very discerning.

Edited December 28, 2007 by neophi