Bogotá Elopement Permits and Legal Requirements for International Couples in 2026

Colombia allows foreign nationals to legally marry in the country, and Bogotá's civil registry (Notaría or Registraduría) is the standard route for a civil ceremony. The process is bureaucratic but manageable with advance preparation, and the reward is a Colombian marriage certificate that is recognised internationally through the Apostille Convention. This guide covers the requirements for 2026; always verify with the specific notary or the Colombian Consulate in your home country before travelling.

What You Need: Documents

Both parties will need: a valid passport; a certified copy of the birth certificate, translated into Spanish by a certified translator, with an Apostille from the issuing country if Colombia is a signatory (Canada and most Western countries are); a certificate of no impediment to marriage (also called a Certificate of Freedom to Marry) from your home country, apostilled and translated; and two adult witnesses who are present at the ceremony. Divorced or widowed individuals will additionally need the divorce decree or death certificate, apostilled and translated. Prepare these documents at least three months before your planned date.

The Process

Once documents are in order, you engage a Notario (notary) in Bogotá, not all notarías handle foreign marriages, so confirm in advance. The notario will review your documents, post a notice (edicto) for a mandatory waiting period (typically five to ten business days), and then officiate the civil ceremony. The ceremony itself is brief, around fifteen minutes, and results in a Colombian civil marriage certificate. This certificate, once apostilled by the Colombian authorities, is legally recognised in Canada and most other countries. Many couples do the civil registration on a separate day from the photography session, though some notarías will allow a morning ceremony followed by the elopement session.

Photography Permits in Public Spaces

For photography in Bogotá's public plazas, parks, and streets, no formal permit is required for a small personal session. For the Botanical Garden, Monserrate, or any heritage site managed by the Distrito, advance permission is required; I handle this as part of session planning. The Gold Museum and most churches require advance arrangement for photography beyond standard tourist entry. Plan for these logistics two to four weeks before the session date, and confirm again within the week before travel.