Passport renewal in Colombia
Renewing a Colombian passport involves submitting an application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) either online or in person. Applicants must provide current identification, attend a biometric appointment, and pay the established processing fee.
It is generally recommended to initiate the renewal process at least three to six months before a planned trip. This accounts for potential delays in securing an appointment at local offices or consulates and the standard administrative processing time.
Start 90 days ahead
Processing times are generally short once the appointment is completed, but appointment availability in high-demand offices can significantly extend the total wait time.
The process
- 1Register personal information on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal.
- 2Schedule an appointment online for a passport office or consulate.
- 3Attend the appointment in person to provide biometric data (photograph, fingerprints, and signature).
- 4Pay the passport fee using the provided payment options (online payment or authorized bank branches).
- 5Return to the office or consulate to collect the passport once notification of readiness is received.
What to bring
- Original current identification document (Cédula de Ciudadanía or equivalent)
- Existing passport (if available)
- Proof of payment receipt
- Digital photograph (if required by the specific office)
Who handles it
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fees vary based on whether the passport is ordinary, executive, or emergency, and whether the application is processed within Colombia or at a consulate abroad; confirm current rates directly on the official portal.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure all personal information provided online matches official civil registry records exactly.
- Failure to collect the passport within the timeframe specified by the office may result in cancellation of the document.
- Online appointment slots may become fully booked; monitor the portal frequently if immediate dates are unavailable.
Sources
No source page could be confirmed for this one, so treat every specific above as something to check with Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Other documents in Colombia
Passport renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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