amnother good trip over, and I'm back at the computer. After another 11 days in Manizales, I can tell you that the colombian legal/marital system is difficult!
First, my fiancee tried to make arrangements with the notaries there, and each one had a different story and was extremely unhelpful. BUT...
we went to a notary in Chinchina, and his niece is married to a gringo! So guess what.. he actualy took time and effort to explain the requirements, to tell which requirements were minor, and which were major.
If you plan to marry in Colombia in a civil ceremony, you have to get your certificate of bachelorhood-- either from the marriage licence division, or a notarized statement that you take to the Colombian consulate in the US. Birth certificate, with apostille and official translateion, a notarized letter saying your intent, and a copy of some US identification that has the apostile's stamp as well.
Translations? Well, the Colombian Department of State does official translations in Bogota-- another bridge to cross, and I'll let y'all know.
I heard about five different stories from three different notaries, all of whom were too busy (hey, it was time to take a tinto) to actually open their lawbooks. They (the notaries I talked to inb Manizales)made up requirements on the fly, and then when quesitoned, said, " i fyou don't have it, you can't get married," without consulting the law.
So-wedding plans are now in order for me and my prometida- Nov. 18 down there. It'll be a small affair, only 50-100 of her relatives, and maybe my mother...
So what's a 'big' wedding like?
BTW, while I was there, ELN set off a number of bombs in Medellin, and were once again kidnapping people. ELN is upset that the gov't broke off talks and isn't interested in negotiating with the terrorists/extortionists/kidnappers who hide behind a 'revolutionary' label . It's about time, Pastrana! Let the police do their work, and let the airmobile brigade hit ELN in hte countryside!
All in all a great visit, if anyone's interested, I'll tell more...
