Apostille of Colombian documents

Informational guide · Always confirm details on the official portal

An apostille certifies that a Colombian public document is authentic so it is valid in another country that is part of the Hague Convention. In Colombia, the apostille is issued by the Foreign Ministry (Cancillería) and, in most cases, is requested and obtained online.

Key point: Colombian documents are apostilled on the Cancillería portal (online). Documents issued in the United States are apostilled by the U.S. state authority that issued them (for example, the California Secretary of State), not by the Colombian consulate.

What is an apostille?

It is an electronic seal or certificate that validates the signature and the authority of the official who signed a public document, so it has legal effect in another country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention. Without an apostille, many documents are not accepted abroad.

When do you need it?

To present a Colombian civil registration (birth, marriage, death) before U.S. authorities.
To use a Colombian academic degree or diploma abroad.
To process powers of attorney, background certificates or other public documents outside Colombia.
Immigration, marriage, study or international adoption procedures.

How to apostille a Colombian document (online)

Verify the document is apostillable. It must be a valid public document and, in some cases, carry prior signatures or legalization from the issuing entity.
Go to the official apostille portal of the Cancillería and create your request online.
Upload or identify the document following the system's instructions.
Pay the fee if applicable. Some documents are apostilled for free; others have an official cost.
Receive the electronic apostille with a verification code. In most cases it is downloaded in digital format.

Documents issued in the United States. If your document is American (for example, a U.S. birth certificate) and you'll use it in Colombia, you must apostille it before the relevant U.S. state authority. The Colombian consulate does not apostille U.S. documents.

Cost

The cost depends on the type of document; several civil registrations are apostilled for free and other documents have an official fee. Check the current amount on the apostille portal or in our fees guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are apostille and legalization the same?

Not exactly. An apostille is used between Hague Convention countries. Legalization is used for countries that are not part of the Convention and usually requires extra steps. The Cancillería handles both.

Can I apostille without going to the consulate?

In most cases yes: the apostille of Colombian documents is requested and obtained online through the official portal.

How long does the electronic apostille take?

The electronic apostille is usually generated shortly after the request is approved, though it can vary. Check timeframes on the official portal.

Does the apostille translate my document?

No. The apostille certifies authenticity, it does not translate. If you need the document in another language, you'll need an official translation separately.

Official service — Apostille and legalization

Request the apostille of Colombian documents only on the portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/apostilla-legalizacion