Colombia
Latin America
Colombia has been a party to the Hague Convention since 2001 (accession in 2000). The Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is the sole competent authority for issuing apostilles on Colombian public documents.
Why people process documents for Colombia
Colombian nationals need apostilled criminal records (antecedentes judiciales), birth certificates, and university degrees for Spanish visas and work permits.
Some foreign universities, licensing bodies or employers may request apostilled Colombian degrees — requirements vary by recipient, so check theirs first.
Most commonly processed documents
These are the document types most often processed for use in Colombia — documents issued abroad that need an apostille or legalization. Documents issued in Colombia are apostilled in Colombia itself, by the authorities described above. Each guide link goes to a full guide; document types without a guide yet are listed for reference.
Official certificate proving a person has no (or has) criminal convictions. Required for immigration, employment, and residency applications.
Official civil registry document recording a person's birth. Foundational for immigration, citizenship, and family applications.
Academic credential awarded by a university upon completion of a degree program. Required for employment abroad, degree homologation, and graduate admissions.
Civil registry document recording a legal marriage. Required for spouse visas, family reunification, name changes, and inheritance.
Notarized document granting someone legal authority to act on another person's behalf. It may require an apostille when the receiving authority asks for authentication — and only then.
Civil registry document recording a person's death. Required for inheritance, pension claims, insurance, and estate proceedings abroad.
Requirements at a glance
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not pre-authenticating documents at the originating institution before submitting to the Cancillería.
- Submitting documents with expired criminal records (many procedures accept records no older than 90 days; some accept 5–6 months).
Example scenarios involving Colombia
Illustrative examples based on common situations; names and details are changed. Typical situations where the country appears as the document's issuing country or as the destination. See all cases →
The problem: Needed to apostille his university degree and transcripts for credential verification by a Miami employer.
Result: In this example, the documents would be ready in around 7 business days and the employment contract could then be signed.
The problem: Civil engineer with 10 years of experience in Bogotá. Needed to homologate his degree and find work in Madrid.
Result: In this example, the homologation process may take around 8 months; timing varies by case.
Relevant services
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get an apostille for a Colombian document?
Only the Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) can issue apostilles for Colombian public documents — and it handles apostilles and legalizations online through its official portal, so filing does not require a visit to a Bogotá office. Official information and application: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/apostilla-y-legalizacion. If you prefer not to deal with it yourself, we manage the online filing on your behalf as optional private assistance.
Can I apostille a Colombian document remotely?
Yes — the Cancillería’s official apostille channel is online, and we manage the entire process. Scan and send your documents; we handle submission to the Cancillería and courier return.
Reviewed by
Sofía RodríguezApostille Specialist
Expert in educational document certification and background checks for Latin America and Spain.
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