For Larry in Dallas

[Georgina]

Hi Larry,

I cut and pasted this info from the Alvena's site. I do not know if this would help you with the Direct Consular Filing Process:
I have never heard of "the Power of Attorney" but maybe you can ask Alvena about it:

Here is how the procedure goes:

1-You have an initial interview, BOTH the foreign and US spouse must be present at this interview, you will be filing an I-130 form, I-864 form, along with a G-325A form for each of you.
2-Consulate gives the foreign spouse a "packet 3" which includes the OF-169 and OF230, part I , plus they will also give you the information on the police certificates as well as a listing of doctors in the area for the medical exam. you can get your medical exam while you are waiting for your final interview date. (NOTE: This is where you can speed up this process even more, if you can get the consulate to give the foreign spouse a "packet 3" prior to this interview...if the foreign spouse can get the packet 3 EARLY, he/she can have all of the documents already completed and ready to submit at the initial interview rather than at step 3 below.)
3-The foreign spouse has the final interview at which time the visa is issued, the US citizen spouse does NOT have to be present at the final inteview.
4-The foreign spouse enters the US, and at the port of entry will receive in his/her passport an I-551 stamp which gives immediate conditional resident status (this is called a temporary green card stamp). The actual green card will arrive in the mail a few months later. The foreign spouse receives immediate work and travel authorization from the green card stamp, and will only need to obtain a social security card before starting to work.
Some people, especially Australia (and probably others), may be able to have the consulate mail them a packet 3 PRIOR to the marriage and go ahead and get the police certificate, medical exam, immunizations, and forms complete prior to the 1st interview. Anytime this can be done, it will speed up the process tremendously, because everything can be filed at the initial interview, and the visa is expected to be issued much faster, perhaps on the spot.

You can download FILLABLE versions of the I-130, G-325a, OF-230-1, and OF-230-2 here, and you can download an OF-169 here (but the OF-169 is not fillable...yet).

What to bring from the US....

For the I-864: last 3 years of tax returns, copies of recent paystubs (to prove you are still employed), a letter from the employer stating the salary, job, date of hire, full-time, etc, also a bank letter, and statements from any savings/stock accounts that you may want to list on the I-864 also.

You will have to have a certified copy of birth certificate and any divorce certificates. Of course, you will also have your passport, and after you arrive in your foreign fiance's country and are married, a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

BE SURE that you marry LEGALLY in the country where you will be marrying! Many countries have special guidelines regarding legal marriages. You can find these on some of the consular websites. Check to be sure of the requirements before marrying.

You will be filing an I-130 form, I-864 form, along with a G-325A form for each of you at the initial interview...you can download these forms off the net and look at them and the directions to see what else you need to obtain in the way of documents. You can find these in several locations, but the INS website should have them for sure. You will need the appropriate amount of money in US dollars for the I-130 and the immigrant visa.

It should have all the required documents in the instructions of the forms you are filling out. They may not ask for any supporting evidence of the relationship as far as pictures, letters, or anything like that... but make sure you bring that evidence anyway, just in case.

[Larry in Dallas]

... in response to For Larry in Dallas, posted by Georgina on May 4, 2001

Dear georgina:

   Praise for helpers such as Pete, Doug, and you, but this is different.
  I plan to marry this july and before I visit the colombia embassy in the USA This man who lives in cali told me that I have to get a power of attorney paper from the Colombian embassy in houston, then send it to my fiance Nidyan and then she must go to Bogota and file paperwork EVEN BEFORE I GET MY VISA FOR MARRIAGE.
  The man who is the translator for the judge  (notario) says that even with me getting this form immediately and Nidyan going next week after receipt of it that it will be probably too late to marry in the middle of July even though that date is 2 and a half months away.
  Is the notary judge creating unnecessary problems for me?
No one else on the board has a clue what or why this translotor says I and Nidyan must make these pre-marriage trips.  Please help me!!!!

                                 Thanks,

                                 Larry in Dallas

[Pete Eiguren]

... in response to This is not for the bogota interview, Ge..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 4, 2001

Larry,
Your getting some bad imformation from this guy.You do not need a power of attorney nor can Nidyan start the process at the Embassy untill you get there.This is the direct counsolar filing,which he doesn't seem to know about.
For what is needed for the Colombian Counsolate here they will fax you a list of what you need to do.Be carefull to get a translater with credentials,they want to see credentials.

Pete

[Red Clay]

... in response to This is not for the bogota interview, Ge..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 4, 2001

Larry,
    Not trying to butt in here, but I believe Gary Bala could tell you what you need to know. Have you consulted with or retained an immigration attorney with experience in Colombia? If not, Gary has helped alot of people here.

   When things get very confusing and you get too much "hearsay" advice, maybe best to use a pro. Just an idea if you haven't already tried. Costs a little, but you get peace of mind.

  I don't remember anyone on here needing to sign over power of attorney for matters like this, either.

[Georgina]

... in response to This is not for the bogota interview, Ge..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 4, 2001

For what I read from the other people in this board they didn't have to get a power of attorney or whatever it is called. If you read my second post, you will find what you need to get married in Colombia. It doesn't mention anything about a power of attorney. I got this info from the site of the American Embassy in Colombia. Neither of the guys who has married a Colombian lady and filed Direct Consular Filing has mentioned that they needed something like that or at least I haven't read that they needed it. Maybe this person that you talked to is a little confused. It happens.

I know you need to take many papers with you after you marry but did not know that you need them before marrying. It is really confusing. Have you call the Colombian Embassy in Houston? What did they say?

This man in Colombia. If you give me the phone number I can call him for you, if you want and see what is he talking about?

You can also contact the American Embassy in Bogota:

Immigrant visa unit (571) 315-4155
e-mail address: amcitzen@cable.net.co

There is guy who married a Colombia woman and he wrote a little bit about his experience in Alvena's website. At the end of the post says that he can be contacted at this address:

williamshipp@nospam.com

What was the reason that this person told you that you need a power of attorney?

It is my understanding that a power of attorney for example in California is a written instrument in which a person (the principal) designates to another person (the agent) the authority to act on the principal's behalf.

Is Nydian going to do something or sing documents on your behalf?

I am sorry, is this is confusing. I am just trying to help.

Good luck,

Georgina

[Larry in Dallas]

... in response to For what I know..., posted by Georgina on May 5, 2001

Dear madam:

  Thanks!  Yes doug Y and pete have been helping me but they have been scolding me to get Gary bala or another lawyer down there.  I am really thinking doug is righ!!
  Yes, this man Ramon told me that nidyan did not have enough time to get back documents to file in bogota BEFORE the wedding..  But that I would have to file a power of attorney letter separately before filing weeks later the marriage visa at houston, texas colombian embassy.  
  His telephone numbers are 011 572 513 3458 home and trabajo is 001 572 660 6390.
  he is a translator for weddings but does not understand english as well as a native speaker.
  Georgina.  thanks again and call me if possible tonight at 7:00 or 8:00 Texas time if you would like.
  my telephone number is 214 941 5659.  I would also like to talk to you to learn more about you.
  Thanks so much and I will reimburse your telephone call to colombia!!!

                                Larry in BIG "D"

[Larry in Dallas]

... in response to Re: For what I know..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 5, 2001

Hi Georgina:

  You are the next on my list!!! I have mercilessly pelted Doug Y. and Pete E. with endless questions until they crumbled into heaps on the canvas crying "No Mas preguntas
Larry!Por favor! Nosotros pensamos Larry es un gringo estupido!! "
  Seriously, thanks to all friends for helping me.  georgina, please call me at 214 941-5659 or e-mail me at sabbathkeeperLL@netscape.net or post on this board.  thank you for offering to call Ramon.  I think he is confused also.
  When my fiance Nidyan told me we could not get married in July and would have to wait until next year, I think my heart rate quadrupled in 2 seconds.
  She said that even with me getting the power of attorney immediately from the colombian counsel that it would be too late to marry in july because she had to take my power of attorney and then file papers in Bogota and then wait for 2 months to receive them back.
   That would mean that it would have been impossible to get all this work done before my marriage date in July, 2001.
   I think I am going with either Margareth at Latin Encounters for the notary if I can negotiate a price of $700.00 for the lawyers, herself, and the judge or I will hire Gary Bala and use his notary to marry us.
   thanks again to everyone.... I feel like Rocky when he went against Apollo in the first movie.  daaaa----ddaaa--daaaaa duummmm-ddummm goes the music!!!!

                                 Larry in Big "D"  

[Larry in Dallas]

... in response to Georgina,  It's a knockout !In ten round..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 5, 2001

Hi Georgina:

You are the next on my list!!! I have mercilessly pelted Doug Y. and Pete E. with endless
questions until they crumbled into heaps on the canvas crying "No Mas preguntas
Larry!Por favor! Nosotros pensamos Larry es un gringo estupido!! "
Seriously, thanks to all friends for helping me. georgina, please call me at 214 941-5659
or e-mail me at sabbathkeeperLL@netscape.net or post on this board. thank you for
offering to call Ramon. I think he is confused also.
When my fiance Nidyan told me we could not get married in July and would have to wait
until next year, I think my heart rate quadrupled in 2 seconds.
She said that even with me getting the power of attorney immediately from the
colombian counsel that it would be too late to marry in july because she had to take my
power of attorney and then file papers in Bogota and then wait for 2 months to receive
them back.
That would mean that it would have been impossible to get all this work done before my
marriage date in July, 2001.
I think I am going with either Margareth at Latin Encounters for the notary if I can
negotiate a price of $700.00 for the lawyers, herself, and the judge or I will hire Gary
Bala and use his notary to marry us.
thanks again to everyone.... I feel like Rocky when he went against Apollo in the first
movie. daaaa----ddaaa--daaaaa duummmm-ddummm goes the music!!!!

Larry in Big "D"

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[Georgina]

... in response to For Larry in Dallas, posted by Georgina on May 4, 2001

MARRIAGE TO A COLOMBIAN NATIONAL

The following is an informal interpretation of Colombian law regarding the marriage of a U.S. citizen to a Colombian national. One should always consult with the appropriate Colombian governmental and/or religious officials as to specific details and updated information. A marriage performed in accordance with Colombian law is recognized under the law of the United States.

COLOMBIAN CIVIL LAW REQUIREMENTS

The following documentary requirements must be completed to satisfy the civil law regarding marriage in Colombia. Please note that even if a religious ceremony is planned, the civil requirements must also be completed. According to the Colombian Immigration law a foreigner with a tourist visa should stay in the country only with the purpose of tourism. Therefore, a foreigner with a tourist visa cannot enter into contracts in Colombia. Civil marriage is a contract which takes effect upon issuance of the deed of marriage (escritura pública de matrimonio civil), which is issued by the notary. In order to process the deed of marriage the foreigner has to identify himself with his passport and either a valid visa or Colombian foreigner identification card.

U.S. Birth certificate: The U.S. citizen, if born outside of Colombia, must obtain a certified copy of his/her birth certificate, issued within three months prior to the wedding. The certified birth certificate, if issued in a language other than Spanish, must be translated into Spanish by an official translator and include an Apostille.

Certificado de Soltería: The U.S. citizen presents a notarized, written statement, executed by a family member or close friend who has known the U.S. citizen more than ten years, stating that the American Citizen has never been married. If issued in a language other than Spanish, the certificate (statement) must be translated into Spanish by an official translator with an Apostille.

APOSTILLE: The Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign documents dated October 5, 1961 entered into force for the United States on October 156, 1981. The Convention entered into force for Colombia on January 30, 2001. Documents originating in the United States require for recognition in Colombia an Apostille issued by competent U.S. authorities.

List of the competent officials in each state for the issuance of an Apostille.

If either the U.S. citizen or his/her Colombian fiancé(e) had previously been married in other than a Catholic ceremony, a Certificate of Dissolution must be presented, properly authenticated, depending on whether it was issued in Colombia or abroad, as indicated above.

When these documents have been prepared as indicated, they should be delivered to a Colombian Notary for processing. The Colombian spouse should at this time provide an authenticated birth certificate issued within one month prior to the wedding, as well as an authenticated copy of his/her cédula.

For civil ceremonies, the Notary will be able to offer instruction on petitioning a Colombian judge to perform the wedding service.

Please note that after the wedding, the U.S. citizen must provide the Colombian Notary who has processed the papers with confirmation that the municipality in the U.S. which earlier issued his/her birth certificate has been informed of the marriage. Additionally, the marriage certificate must be registered with the Colombian Notary.

CATHOLIC CHURCH REQUIREMENTS

As noted above, in the event of a Church marriage to a Colombian national, the U.S. citizen must comply with the following documentary requirements, in addition to the Colombian civil law requirements listed previously:

Baptismal Certificate: If the U.S. citizen is born outside of Colombia, and is Catholic, he/she must present a baptismal certificate, with an Apostille obtained within the past three months as with civil law documents discussed above. The certificate, if not issued in Spanish, must also be translated and an Apostille must be obtained following the same procedure as with civil law documents.

U.S. Citizens who are not Catholic must instead present their birth certificate (and translation, if necessary) with an Apostille.

Confirmation Certificate: U.S. Citizens who are Catholic must present their certificate of confirmation (with translation, if necessary) with an Apostille.

U.S. citizens who are not Catholic must instead present certification of the religion to which they belong (and translation, if necessary) with an Apostille.

Certificado de Soltería: U.S. Citizens who are Catholic must present a written statement, sworn to before a Catholic priest and authenticated by a Church official, executed by two family members stating: a) how many years they have known the U.S. citizen; and b) that the U.S. citizen has never been married in the Catholic Church or, if previously married in the Catholic Church, the reason for the dissolution of the marriage.

If the U.S. Citizen who is Catholic has been previously married in the Church, he/she must additionally present certification of the annulment of the marriage, certification of the civil law divorce, and, if applicable, certification of the death of the previous spouse. Please note that a person previously married by the Catholic Church and subsequently divorced from a still living spouse may not be remarried in the Catholic Church in Colombia, without first obtaining an annulment from the Church.

U.S. citizens who are not Catholic must instead present a written statement, sworn before a Notary, executed by two family members stating: a) how many years they have know the U.S. citizen; and b) that the U.S. citizen has never married, either in the Catholic Church or under civil law.

All documents must, once again, be translated if necessary and include an Apostille.

Premarital Course: All U.S. Citizens, regardless of religion, seeking to marry a Colombian national in the Catholic Church, must complete a Church sponsored premarital course, and present the course certificate along with the above documents.

It is important to note the Colombian national spouse must comply with his/her own documentary requirements.

All of the above referenced documentation should be presented at least one month prior to the anticipated wedding date to:

Parroquia San Alberto
Diagonal 69 # 54A-28
Bogotá, D.C.

Tel.: (571) 231-4062
Hours: Monday through Friday, 12:50PM-6:00PM

Along with the referenced documentation, the couple to be married must present themselves, and two witnesses of legal age (preferably family members), together with the identity documents of the couple and the witnesses.

The proposed marriage will be announced by the Church and, if no information which may prevent the Catholic marriage is presented within one month after the announcement, the wedding date will be set.

Following the wedding ceremony, the Church marriage certificate must be registered with a Colombian Notary.

Bogotá, D.C.
April 12, 2001

[Georgina]

... in response to More Info from the site of the American ..., posted by Georgina on May 4, 2001

Here is specific consular information about getting married in Columbia: http://usembassy.state.gov/colombia/wwwhacsm.html