Medellín Elopement Permits and Legal Requirements for Foreign Couples in 2026

Colombia's legal framework for foreign nationals marrying in the country applies consistently across Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. The Notaría system handles civil marriages, and the process, while bureaucratic, is manageable with appropriate preparation. This guide covers the 2026 requirements specific to Medellín and the Antioquia region, and the photography permits for the specific locations I use for elopement sessions here.

Required Documents for Foreign Nationals

To marry legally in Colombia as a foreign national, both parties must provide: a valid passport; a certified birth certificate with Apostille (from Hague Convention member countries) or legalisation (from non-member countries), translated into Spanish by a certified translator; a certificate of freedom to marry (Certificado de Soltería or equivalent document proving no existing marriage), apostilled and translated; and two adult witnesses at the ceremony. Divorced individuals add the divorce decree, apostilled and translated; widowed individuals add the death certificate. Document preparation typically takes four to six weeks, begin the apostille and translation process at least three months before your planned date.

The Notarial Process in Medellín

Several of Medellín's Notarías handle foreign national marriages; I recommend engaging one in El Poblado or El Centro that has experience with international couples and English-language communication. The notario reviews documents, posts the mandatory edicto notice (a public declaration of intent to marry, posted for five to ten business days), and then schedules the ceremony. The ceremony is brief and civil, fifteen to twenty minutes, and results in a Colombian marriage certificate. Once apostilled by the Gobernación de Antioquia, this certificate is recognised internationally.

Photography Permits

For sessions in El Poblado's public streets, no permit is required for a small personal elopement session. For Parque Arví, accessed via the Metrocable system, entry is charged at the normal park rate (approximately COP 10,000 per person) and standard photography, non-commercial personal sessions, is permitted. For drone photography within the park, a permit from the Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano (EDU) is required, which I coordinate in advance. For the cable car stations themselves, permission from Metrocable is needed for any photography that goes beyond standard tourist documentation; I handle this as part of session preparation. For Guatapé municipal spaces, a courtesy notification to the Alcaldía (municipal office) is standard practice, though not legally required for personal sessions.