Information on the procedure for the recovery of Colombian citizenship [COL22464.E]

The information that follows was provided during an 8 December 1995 telephone interview by an information officer at the Embassy of Colombia in Ottawa.

Requests for recovery of Colombian citizenship are quite common because the old Constitution did not allow multiple citizenship and many people renounced or lost their Colombian citizenship while obtaining another.

To recover Colombian citizenship, individuals must first make an appointment with a Colombian consul. They must bring to the appointment a letter stating their desire to recover the lost Colombian citizenship and their willingness to obey and respect the laws of Colombia. They should also bring their old cédula or any other document still in their possession that proves they had previously held Colombian citizenship. However, presentation of old identification documents is not essential for recovering citizenship.

After the interview with the consul, and if the request is approved, the consulate will issue a certificate (acta) acknowledging the person as a Colombian citizen.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Embassy of Colombia, Ottawa. 8 December 1995. Telephone interview with information officer.