Colombian Passport 2026: How to Get It, Renew It, Schedule an Appointment, and How Much It Costs

Getting or renewing a Colombian passport has always had a reputation for being a headache, but the rules of the game have changed quite a bit this year. If you are planning a trip abroad or a permanent move, having this document up to date is step zero. Since April 1, 2026, Colombia has a new biometric, high-security passport design (manufactured in partnership with the Casa da Moeda of Portugal), which has raised many questions about whether it is mandatory to change it right away.

The good news is that you don't have to rush to renew it if yours is still valid. Honestly, I would skip the unnecessary lines unless your booklet is expired, damaged, or has less than six months of validity left before your trip. Below, I explain exactly how much it costs, how to take advantage of current discounts, and how the new service system works. If you want to see real options right now, you can see pets and accessories on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

How much does a passport cost in Colombia in 2026?

Passport prices depend directly on where you process it. If you are in Bogotá, the official 2026 rates established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are as follows:

• Ordinary Passport: $190,000 COP. This is the one most people get. It consists of a base fee of $111,000 COP plus $79,000 COP for the national stamp tax.
• Executive Passport: $323,000 COP. It has more pages, ideal if you travel constantly for business.
• Emergency Passport: $192,000 COP. It is only issued in exceptional and verifiable cases.

Heads up: if you process it outside of Bogotá, the price will be higher. Departmental governments charge additional taxes (known as stamps) that are added to the base rate. For example, in Valle del Cauca, the total cost of an ordinary passport is around $349,300 COP. If you live outside the country and are wondering how to send money to Colombia from the USA to help a family member with this process, keep these regional variations in mind when calculating the final amount.

How to get a 10% discount or get it for free

It's not all about paying the full rate. There are two main ways to reduce the cost of your passport in 2026:

First, the famous electoral discount. If you voted in the recent elections (such as the presidential runoff on June 21, 2026), you are entitled to a 10% discount. You just need to present your original electoral certificate at the time of the process. Keep in mind that this benefit is personal, non-transferable, and can only be used once per certificate.

Second, the payment exemption for Sisbén IV. Citizens classified in groups A and B can obtain the passport for free if they meet very specific conditions. It applies if you need to travel for specialized medical treatment, if you are under 25 and going to study abroad, or if you have a formal employment contract outside the country. As with other state benefits, such as the Mi Casa Ya housing subsidy, you must present the official documentation that proves your situation.

Requirements to get or renew a passport

The paperwork is quite straightforward, but you cannot improvise. For adults, the only document required is a valid citizenship card (in physical format or the digital ID). If you lost it and have a temporary receipt (contraseña), make sure it is the official one from the Registrar's Office with a photo and fingerprint.

For minors, things change. They must be accompanied by at least one of their parents or a legal representative. You must present the original civil birth certificate (authentic copy from the notary) and, if the minor is between 7 and 17 years old, they must also bring their identity card. If you are doing several procedures at once, such as getting or renewing your driver's license, you will realize that the requirement for original documents is the same in almost all state entities.

Step-by-step to request an appointment (and how to do it without an appointment in Bogotá)

Traditionally, scheduling an appointment in the Ministry's SITAC system was almost an extreme sport. Appointments are enabled for free on the official website every day at 5:00 p.m., and they usually sell out in minutes.

However, the big news for 2026 is that in Bogotá, you can now process it without an appointment. The Ministry enabled this option from Monday to Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., at two key locations:

• Centro Office: Calle 12C No. 8-27.
• Norte Office: Carrera 19 No. 98-03.

My recommendation: arrive very early. Although you don't need an appointment, service is subject to the daily capacity of the offices, and lines form from dawn. If you are in another city, you will have to follow the usual scheduling process through your local government's website.

Are you traveling or moving abroad?

If you are getting a passport because you are leaving the country to study, work, or just for a change of scenery, it is very likely that you have things to sell before getting on the plane. Selling a car, a motorcycle, or clearing out an apartment always takes time, but the market is moving fast.

According to internal data from Colombia Move (June 2026), 20 recent searches on the marketplace found no results in the temporary housing category. Demand exceeds supply at this moment. If you are leaving your apartment empty or need to sell your vehicles without paying abusive commissions to intermediaries, you are in the right place to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it mandatory to change my current passport for the new 2026 design?

No, it is not mandatory. Passports issued before April 1, 2026, remain completely valid until the expiration date printed on the booklet (usually 10 years). You only need to renew it if it is expired, damaged, or if it has less than six months of validity left and you have an international trip scheduled.

❓ How much does it cost to get an ordinary passport in Bogotá in 2026?

The ordinary passport in Bogotá costs $190,000 COP in 2026. This value includes the base fee of $111,000 COP plus the national stamp tax of $79,000 COP which is administered by the DIAN. Payment can be made online via PSE or directly at authorized bank branches at the offices.

❓ Why does the passport cost more outside of Bogotá?

Outside of Bogotá, the cost of a passport increases because each departmental government adds local taxes or stamps to the base value set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For this reason, the final price varies by region; for example, in departments like Valle del Cauca, the process can exceed $349,000 COP.

❓ How is the 10% discount for voting in the 2026 elections applied?

To obtain the 10% discount on your passport, you must present the original electoral certificate from the recent elections (such as the presidential runoff on June 21, 2026). This discount is strictly personal, non-transferable, and the law states that it can only be applied once for each electoral certificate you present.

❓ Can you get a passport in Bogotá without an appointment in 2026?

Yes, in Bogotá, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has enabled walk-in service without an appointment from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Centro (Calle 12C No. 8-27) and Norte (Carrera 19 No. 98-03) offices. However, you must keep in mind that the service is subject to the daily capacity of each office, so it is vital to arrive early.

❓ Who can obtain a Colombian passport for free?

Citizens belonging to groups A and B of Sisbén IV who can demonstrate specific travel conditions are entitled to a free passport. This includes travel for specialized medical treatment abroad, international studies for those under 25, or having a formal employment contract outside the country that has been duly legalized.