Obtaining a Colombian Consular ID card (Tarjeta de Registro Consular) in the United States can be challenging if you have no documents at hand. This card proves that a Colombian citizen is registered at their local consulate and serves as an accepted form of identification for various purposes (for example, some U.S. states accept it to get a driver’s license). It includes your photo, fingerprint, signature, and other key info in English and Spanish, and is valid for five years. We’ll follow a Colombian citizen’s journey (let’s call her Ana) as she navigates the step-by-step process to get her Consular ID without any initial documents. Though written from her perspective, it’s told in third person. This guide also provides practical tips for consulate visits, solutions for obtaining a birth certificate from Colombia, and general guidelines that apply to all Colombian consulates in the U.S.
A Colombian consulate building in the U.S. – the starting point for Ana’s journey to obtain her Consular ID.
Step 1: Understand the Consular ID Requirements and Benefits
Before heading to the consulate, Ana learns what the Consular ID card is and what she’ll need to get it. By law (Decree 642 of 2014), adults must personally visit the consulate and present a valid Colombian cédula (citizenship ID card) or passport, plus proof of current U.S. address. Since Ana has no Colombian ID or passport, she realizes she must first obtain proof of her Colombian citizenship to meet these requirements. She also notes that she’ll need a document like a utility bill or bank statement to prove her address in the consulate’s jurisdiction. Why is the Consular ID worth getting? Ana discovers that the Tarjeta de Registro Consular can help her in daily life abroad. Consulates have worked to get it recognized by local authorities and institutions. For example, she reads that it’s used as supporting ID for a driver’s license in the U.S. and even some bank transactions. It’s not a travel document, but it’s a handy local ID, especially for those without a passport. Knowing this motivates Ana to tackle the paperwork ahead.
Step 2: Obtain a Colombian Birth Certificate (Registro Civil de Nacimiento)
The first challenge Ana faces is proving she is Colombian without any ID. The solution is to get her Colombian birth certificate, which is the official proof of her citizenship. Colombian birth certificates are recorded in the Registro Civil; an authenticated copy of this record will be crucial. Here’s how Ana goes about it:
- Contact Family or Civil Registry: Ana contacts her relatives in Colombia to help get a copy of her birth certificate from the local notaría or the Registraduría Nacional (civil registry office) where her birth was registered. They will need details like her full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names to locate the record. If you have no family available, you can also hire a legal representative or request assistance from the Colombian Registraduría’s online services, if available.
- Request via Consulate (if applicable): In some cases, if the birth was originally registered at a Colombian consulate (for those born abroad), you can request a copy directly at that same consulate. However, Ana was born in Colombia, so her family must obtain the certificate there. They visit the local registry office and request a copia autenticada del registro civil de nacimiento in her name.
- Authentication/Apostille: Once the birth certificate is obtained in Colombia, Ana’s family has it apostilled (an official legalization for international use) by the competent authority in Colombia. This step ensures the U.S. consulate will accept the foreign document. (In many cases, Colombian civil documents need an apostille for use abroad.)
- Sending the Document: Ana’s family then sends the original apostilled birth certificate to her in the U.S. (via reliable mail or courier). It’s important that she receives the original document with stamps/seals; consulates typically require original documents, not photocopies, for critical proofs.
Tip: If you’re in Ana’s situation, start this process early. It might take a few weeks for family to get the certificate and mail it. In the meantime, try to memorize or find out your Colombian ID number (Número Único de Identificación Personal, NUIP, which is the same as the cédula number for adults) if you ever had one, as it will be useful in the next steps.
Step 3: Apply for a Colombian Photo ID (Cédula de Ciudadanía or Passport)
With her birth certificate in hand, Ana’s next step is to obtain an actual photo ID issued by Colombia, because the consulate will ask for a cédula or passport to issue the Consular ID. Since she has neither, she decides to apply for a duplicate cédula (or a first-time cédula if she never had one) at the consulate. Colombian consulates can process cedulas for citizens abroad – either first-time issuance or replacements.
Here’s how Ana handles this step:
- Make an Appointment: Ana schedules an appointment at her nearest Colombian consulate for a “Cédula de Ciudadanía” service (most consulates allow online booking, though some also accept walk-ins for ID services – she checks the specific procedure on the consulate’s website). If the consulate requires prior registration online, she fills out any pre-application forms as instructed.
- Prepare Required Items: Ana gathers the requirements for the cédula application: her original birth certificate (with apostille) to prove nationality, and several passport-sized photos. According to the guidelines, first-time applicants or those without an ID can use a birth certificate or their old minor ID (Tarjeta de Identidad) as identification. She also notes she must know her blood type and RH factor for the application, so she makes sure to get that information (from old medical records or a blood test). For a duplicate (replacement) cédula, it’s required to pay a fee (around USD $64 as of recent consular rates, though first-time issuance is free).
- At the Consulate – Cédula Application: On the appointment day, Ana arrives early (see Step 5: Tips for Visiting the Consulate below) at the consulate. When called to the window, she explains that she needs a cédula and has no current ID. She presents her birth certificate as proof of citizenship. The consular officer locates her cédula number in the national database (if she had one assigned at birth or from a prior ID) or creates a new ID record for her if it’s a first-time cédula. Ana submits the required photos (typically 3 color photos, 4cm x 5cm, white background, unless the consulate uses digital photography) and provides her blood type. She fills out the application form with her personal details and has her fingerprints and signature taken. If a fee applies, she pays it (some consulates require a money order or credit card payment – no cash, so she came prepared with a money order just in case).
- Receive the “Contraseña”: After processing her cédula application, the consulate issues Ana a “contraseña”, which is a temporary document proving her cédula is in process. The contraseña includes her photo, name, and ID number, serving as a provisional ID for her. The officer informs her that the new physical cédula (a secure, credit-card-style ID) will be printed in Colombia and sent to the consulate, which may take 1 to 3 months. Ana will need to return to the consulate with the contraseña to pick up the cédula when it arrives.
- If needed, apply for a Passport: In Ana’s case, she decides not to wait months for the cédula to arrive, because she urgently needs an official photo ID. Since she now has the contraseña (and her old cédula number is verified), she can apply for a Colombian passport at the consulate as well. To do so on the same visit, she informs the officer she’d like to request a passport. For a passport, an applicant must show either a valid cédula or the original contraseña plus the birth certificate if the cédula is in process. Ana meets that requirement now. She quickly fills out the passport application, gets her photo taken (consulates typically have digital photo systems for passports), and pays the passport fee. The passport will be ready in a few days or weeks, depending on processing, and she can either pick it up or have it mailed. This step is optional, but having a passport will give her an ID to use while waiting for the cédula and Consular ID card.
By the end of this step, Ana has taken the crucial actions to re-establish her Colombian identification: her cédula is in process (with a contraseña as proof) and possibly a passport on the way. She’s now ready to finally apply for the Consular ID card itself.
Step 4: Apply for the Colombian Consular ID Card
Now that Ana has initiated her Colombian ID (and has at least a temporary proof of identity), she proceeds to register for the Consular ID card. In some consulates, you can apply for the Tarjeta de Registro Consular during the same visit as other services. In Ana’s case, after her cédula paperwork, she asks to register herself in the consular registry and get the Consular ID.
What the process involves:
- Registration Form: The consulate staff provides a Consular Registration form for Ana to fill out (or she had filled it online beforehand, as some consulates allow online pre-registration). This form will ask for her personal details, Colombian ID number (she uses her cédula number as given on the contraseña), contact information, and U.S. address.
- Documents Submission: Ana submits the required documents for the Consular ID:
- Her Colombian identification – she shows the passport she just received, or the contraseña along with her Colombian birth certificate (to reinforce her identity). Officially, a valid cédula or passport is required for adults. In practice, since Ana’s cédula card is being processed, the consulate accepts her passport (or the combination of contraseña + birth certificate) as proof.
- Her proof of address in the consular jurisdiction – Ana provides a recent utility bill and a bank statement mailed to her U.S. home, which cover the last 3 months as required. This proves she lives within the area that the consulate serves.
- Issuance of the Card: The consular officer verifies everything and proceeds to issue the Tarjeta de Registro Consular. They capture Ana’s photograph (some consulates use the passport photo on file or take a new one) and print the card, which includes her photo, name, Colombian ID number, and residence. The card also features a unique registration number, and according to the consulate, it includes security elements like a fingerprint and signature on file. The Consular ID card is issued free of charge to the citizen
– Ana doesn’t have to pay for this service. - Receiving the Card: In many cases, the card can be made on the spot or the same day. Ana waits for a short while and is then handed her brand-new Colombian Consular ID card. It’s valid for 5 years from the issue date, after which she would need to renew it (similar process, presenting updated proof of address and valid Colombian ID).
Ana has now successfully obtained her Consular ID. This card, along with her passport and eventually her new cédula, means she finally has proper identification.
Step 5: Practical Tips for Visiting the Consulate
Visiting a consulate can involve long lines and wait times. From Ana’s experience, here are some practical tips to make your consulate visit smoother:
- Schedule an Early Appointment (or Arrive Early): If your consulate uses an appointment system, try to get the earliest slot of the day. If it’s first-come, first-served, arrive before opening time. Consulates can get crowded, and early birds avoid a backlog.
- Bring Copies of Everything: Photocopy all important documents (passport, birth certificate, IDs, address proof, etc.) before going. Consulates often require you to submit copies, and having them ready saves time and stress. Also bring extra passport photos in case they’re needed for any application.
- Prepare Required Forms: Check the consulate’s website for any downloadable forms (passport application, consular registration form, etc.). Filling these out at home can speed up your visit.
- Have Proper Payment Methods: Research how you must pay for fees. Many Colombian consulates in the U.S. only accept money orders or cashier’s checks, not cash. Some accept credit/debit cards. Bring the correct form of payment to avoid a return trip.
- Pack Snacks and Water: Expect to spend several hours at the consulate, especially if doing multiple transactions. Ana brought a bottle of water and some snacks (a sandwich and fruit) to stay comfortable during the wait. Not all consulates have cafes or vending machines, so come prepared.
- Bring Entertainment: Long waits can be tedious. Bring a book, download some music or podcasts, or have a fully charged phone with a charger or battery pack. This helps pass the time calmly. If you have children with you, pack toys or activities to keep them occupied.
- Dress Comfortably (but presentably): There’s no strict dress code, but remember you might have an ID photo taken. Ana chose a casual but neat outfit (and avoided wearing white, since ID photos are often on a white background). Comfortable shoes are a good idea if you’ll be standing in line.
- Check Parking and Transit Options: Consulates are usually in city centers. Plan where to park (and bring enough coins/card for the meter) or figure out public transportation routes beforehand. Ana took public transit to avoid downtown parking hassles.
- Stay Patient and Polite: Consular staff handle many cases a day. Being courteous and patient goes a long way. If you prepared well, your turn should go smoothly. If there’s a mistake in your paperwork, stay calm and ask for guidance – they are there to help.
- Language: You can speak Spanish at the Colombian consulate (in fact, it’s preferred). If you’re more comfortable in English, you can use it too, but all documents will be in Spanish. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand something on a form.
By following these tips, your visit will be much less stressful, just as Ana found her second visit to pick up her passport was a breeze compared to the initial one.
Step 6: Follow Up and Next Steps
After obtaining the Consular ID (and applying for her cédula and passport), Ana makes sure to follow up on any pending items:
- Track the Cédula Status: Ana regularly checks the status of her cédula on the Registraduría website as instructed. When the status shows it’s ready or shipped, she contacts the consulate to confirm it has arrived. (Consulates may also notify you by email or phone when your cédula is ready for pickup.) She then goes in person to retrieve her cédula, bringing her contraseña and Consular ID for identification.
- Passport Pickup: If Ana’s passport wasn’t given the same day, she returns to get it (or receives it by mail, if that was an option she chose). Having the physical passport now gives her an internationally recognized ID.
- Keep Documents Safe: Now Ana has multiple forms of ID – Consular ID card, passport, and soon her cédula. She makes photocopies of each and stores them in a safe place at home. She also scans them and saves encrypted digital copies. This way, if she ever loses her documents again, it will be easier to prove her identity and get replacements.
- Renewals and Updates: Ana marks her calendar for the expiration dates: her Consular ID in 5 years, passport in 10 years (usually), and cédula (which technically doesn’t expire, but Colombia may update the format periodically). She also knows to update her address with the consulate if she moves, by simply contacting them or re-registering – keeping your consular registration updated ensures you receive important notifications (e.g., voting info, emergency contact in disasters).
- Using the Consular ID: Ana can now use her Consular ID card as a form of identification locally. For example, if she needs to identify herself to local authorities or open a bank account, she can present the card. She recalls that in a meeting, police in Houston recognized the Colombian consular card as a valid official ID. She still carries her passport or state ID for backup when needed, but the consular card adds convenience for everyday situations.
General Guidelines for All Colombian Consulates in the U.S.: While Ana’s story is personal, the process and requirements described are standard across all Colombian consulates in the United States. Every consulate (New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, etc.) follows the same national regulations for issuing passports, cédulas, and Consular ID cards. Here’s a quick recap of universal guidelines:
- Personal Presence: You must go in person to the consulate for these identification services – no one else can obtain these documents on your behalf (except for minors, who need a parent present).
- Identification Requirements: To get the Consular ID, adults need a cédula or passport. If you lack both, you must first get a cédula (or at least the application in process with a contraseña) as shown above. Consulates can assist with duplicate cédulas if yours was lost or stolen. First-time cédulas for those who turned 18 abroad are free of charge, while duplicates have a fee. A Colombian birth certificate is mandatory for first-time cédulas – without it, the consulate cannot proceed.
- Proof of Address: All U.S. consulates require proof that you live in their consular jurisdiction. Only residents of that area can register at that consulate. Always bring a recent bill or lease with your name and address.
- Appointments: Most consulates offer or require appointments for passports and cédulas (some also for Consular ID). Check the official consulate website for the “Agendamiento” (appointment scheduling) link or instructions by city. In some cities like New York, as of recently, consulates have even processed applicants without prior appointments by implementing queue systems, but it’s best to verify current policy.
- Operating Hours: Consular offices typically operate during regular business hours on weekdays. Some consulates host occasional “Consular Saturdays” or mobile consulate days in distant cities – useful if you can’t visit on a weekday. Keep an eye on announcements for such events.
- No Expedite Services: Remember that Colombian documents (cédula, passport) take time to process – there is no same-day cédula issuance, since the card is produced in Colombia. Plan ahead; do not wait until the last minute if you need identification for something important.
- Cost and Payment: The Consular ID card is free. Passport and cédula fees are set in Colombian pesos but payable in USD at the consulate (they adjust the rate periodically; as a guideline, in 2023 a passport was around $145 and a cédula duplicate around $65). Check the consulate’s “Costos y Medios de Pago” page for exact fees and accepted payment methods before you go.
By following these guidelines and the steps above, any Colombian in the U.S. – even one starting with no documents – can successfully rebuild their documentation and obtain their Colombian Consular ID card. It may require patience and some legwork (as Ana’s story shows), but the end result is worth it. With her Consular ID (Tarjeta Consular) in hand, Ana now has peace of mind and a form of identification she can use proudly as a Colombian living abroad.