Independent guide
Colombian procedures, explained step by step
What you need, what it costs in 2026 and where to do it, for residents and foreigners. Every guide links the official portal and shows when we last checked it.
Independent guide by Colombia Move. Not a government website: the procedure itself is done on the official portal linked here.
Migración Colombia · Online + in person
Colombian foreign ID card (cédula de extranjería)
How do I get a cédula de extranjería?
COP 294,000 in 2026 (general fee, Migración Colombia Resolution 0599 of 2026). Ecuadorians: USD 5 first time. Pacific Alliance scholarship holders: free.
Cancillería (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) · Online
Apply for a Colombian visa
How do I apply for a Colombian visa online?
In 2026 (Resolution 3969 of 2026): study fee USD 56 for V, M and R; issuance USD 138 (V), USD 204 (M) or USD 183 (R). Tourism: USD 52 issuance. Student: USD 16 + USD 21. In Colombia you pay in pesos at the current rate.
Migración Colombia · Online + in person
Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) for Venezuelans
How do I get or check the PPT for Venezuelans?
Free. Pre-registration, biometrics and PPT issuance cost nothing. A duplicate or reissue costs COP 20,000 in 2026.
Migración Colombia · Online + in person
Certificate of migratory movements (entry and exit record)
How do I get my certificate of migratory movements?
COP 89,000 in 2026 (single fee, Resolution 0599 of 2026). Free for Ecuadorian citizens.
Cancillería (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) · Online
Apostille a Colombian document
How do I apostille a document in Colombia?
COP 37,800 per apostille and COP 26,200 per legalization in 2026 (Resolution 3969 of 2026). From abroad: USD 11 or EUR 8 per apostille.
Ministerio de Educación Nacional · Online
Recognition (convalidación) of foreign university degrees in Colombia
How do I get a foreign university degree recognized (convalidado) in Colombia?
In 2026: COP 960,539 for undergraduate degrees and COP 1,091,474 for graduate degrees (Ministry of Education fee, updated 13 February 2026). Apostille and official translation are paid separately.
Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil · Online + in person
Replacing a lost Colombian ID (duplicado de cédula de ciudadanía)
How do I get a replacement cédula if I lost mine?
In 2026 (from 1 March, Resolución 1500 of 2026): COP 76,100 for the polycarbonate cédula with digital ID and COP 67,350 for the yellow hologram cédula. At consulates: USD 76.28 and USD 67.55.
Cancillería (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) · In person
Colombian ordinary passport
How do I get a Colombian passport?
COP $195,600 in Bogotá in 2026 ($116,600 fee + $79,000 stamp tax). Outside Bogotá, departmental taxes are added. The executive passport (48 pages) costs COP $335,400 in Bogotá.
Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil · Online + in person
Birth registration (registro civil de nacimiento)
How do I register my baby born in Colombia?
Registration and the first copy are free (Ley 1163 de 2007). Extra copies in 2026: COP 10,800 at the Registraduría and COP 18,750 for an online digital copy (Resolución 1500 de 2026, in force since 1 March 2026). Notarías charge their own current fee.
Policía Nacional de Colombia · Online
Colombian police background check (antecedentes judiciales)
How do I get my Colombian police background certificate?
Free
Procuraduría General de la Nación · Online
Disciplinary record certificate (Procuraduría)
How do I get the Procuraduría background certificate?
Free
Contraloría General de la República · Online
Fiscal liability certificate (Contraloría)
How do I get the Contraloría fiscal background certificate?
Free
DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales) · Online + in person
Registering for the RUT tax ID (individuals)
How do I get a RUT (Colombian tax ID) as an individual?
Free. RUT registration has no cost (DIAN).
DIAN · Online
Personal income tax return (declaración de renta)
How do I file my Colombian income tax return?
Filing is free. If you owe tax, you pay what the return calculates. Filing late triggers a late-filing penalty (articles 639 and 641 of the Estatuto Tributario).
Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social (SAT, Mi Seguridad Social) y ADRES · Online + in person
Joining an EPS health insurer (contributory regime)
How do I sign up for an EPS in Colombia?
Enrollment is free; what you pay are contributions. Self-employed: 12.5% of the contribution base (IBC), which is 40% of your monthly income and never less than one minimum wage. Employees: 4% of salary, with the employer covering the rest. 2026 figures.
Departamento Nacional de Planeación (DNP) — Sisbén · Online + in person
Sisbén IV: survey, group lookup and updates
How do I request the Sisbén survey and check my group?
Free. The survey and every Sisbén procedure cost nothing.
Colpensiones · Online
Check your pension weeks and work history (historia laboral)
How do I check my contributed pension weeks with Colpensiones?
Free online and at Colpensiones service points (PAC).
Ministerio de Transporte, RUNT y organismos de tránsito · In person
Getting a Colombian driver's licence for the first time
How do I get a Colombian driver's licence for the first time?
Varies by city. For reference, Medellín charges COP 82,800 in issuance fees (Ministry, RUNT, licence card and issuance). The CRC exam and CEA course are paid separately and are the biggest cost. Check the current fee at your transit authority.
Federación Colombiana de Municipios (SIMIT) · Online + in person
Check and pay traffic fines (comparendos) on SIMIT
How do I check and pay my traffic fines on SIMIT?
Checking and generating the SIMIT paz y salvo is free. The fine depends on the offence; with the curso pedagógico you get 50% off (first 5 business days, or 11 for a photo ticket) or 25% (up to 20 business days, or 27 for a photo ticket). The course has its own fee.
Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro (SNR) · Online + in person
Property title certificate (certificado de tradición y libertad)
How do I get a certificado de tradición y libertad online?
COP 23,000 for the electronic certificate and COP 24,300 for the paper one in 2026 (SNR fees in force since 2 February 2026).
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Colombia Move a government website?
- No. Colombia Move is an independent marketplace and guide. These pages summarize official requirements and link to the government portal where you actually do each procedure. Always confirm fees and requirements on the official site before paying.
- How current is this information?
- Each guide shows the date it was last checked against its official sources. Fees tied to the UVT or minimum wage change every January. Last full review: October 1, 2026.
- Can someone do the paperwork for me?
- Many trámites are personal, but you can hire help with appointments, translations, and document preparation. Browse Legal & Paperwork providers on Colombia Move and contact them directly, with no commission.
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