new regulations in Colombia?

[JeffA]

My novia and I have recently (as in this morning) hit a snag in marriage plans in Manizales.  The notario told her that our posting or publication of intent is not acceptible... so I'm looking for some advice.  She was told that there are new regulations in Colombia to stop mules and narcotrafficers, which require more time and effort during the process with the notario.  

I'm flying down next week, and if I can find any info, I'll post it here. Has anyone else heard of such problems?  Accirdung to my novia, these are recent regulations-- and these regs didn't exist in July, to her or my knowlege.  Any ideas?

[Doug Y]

... in response to new regulations in Colombia?, posted by JeffA on Aug 10, 2001

 I was married in Cali late last May and the bureaucracy from the Colombian side was indeed a moving target.  It seems as if the notarios basically make up their own requirements.  I think they carry some type of legal liability for the woman's well-being when she gets here.  Obviously the process can be simplified if your fiancee or her family or friends know someone "who knows someone".

 During our pre-marriage research we compared and contrasted 4 different notarios.  The friend of my wife's boss only wanted $150, but he asked for documents that basically don't exist.

 The next level of notario will loosen up a little but the two in this range were around $500-600

 I'm not exactly sure about this next level but the rumor mill has it that there's a guy in Cali that will sign ya off with only a photo-copy of your passport for $1,000, but we didn't speak to the guy personally.

 In the end we ended up with #1.  He jammed me for another $150 two weeks before the wedding.  I didn't feel like paying level 2 $200 more to teach him a lesson.

 Bottom-line: offer another $50-$100 or talk to someone else.  The only new requirements are the ones they make up to get another $100-$500 to remove later.  

 OTOH, Manizales doesn't exactly have the MOB infrastructure that Cali does.  You may be a victim of "we've never done this before!?!?!?"  You're probably among the first to take one of their beautiful, young ladies "up here".

 Give us a report about your dealings with the notarios and how it all turns out.

 Good Luck

 Doug Y

[cdrab]

... in response to new regulations in Colombia?, posted by JeffA on Aug 10, 2001

Man, like it wasn't hard enough to get something done in Colombia already. You realy have to learn to be patient to function there.
I'm planning to get married in october if you have any information I would greatly appreciate hearing it.
My fiancee has told me that there isn't going to be any problems and that everything is looked after. I guess we will see.
Good Luck
Clint

[Edge]

... in response to new regulations in Colombia?, posted by JeffA on Aug 10, 2001

JeffA - I do not know of any new regulations, etc. to advise you on.  I am going the K1 Visa route.  Although there are advantages to marrying down in Colombia that have been covered in previous posts, one disadvantage is that it seems hard to gain accurate information about what i's and t's need to be dotted and crossed to do it right.  What is needed can be a moving target.  You often have to deal with the notarios and Colombian officials and then the American embassy.  But many men have pulled it off so be patient and work through it and I hope you will be one of them.

[JeffA]

... in response to Re: new regulations in Colombia?, posted by Edge on Aug 10, 2001

since the requirements do appear to be a moving target, I'll try to give a timely update on what I encounter, in case someone else might face near-future marriage... let's hope it's still good info when I get back!

[Wasp]

... in response to I'll give a detailed report on what I en..., posted by JeffA on Aug 10, 2001

Sounds like someone is trolling for a little baksheesh.