The following information was obtained from correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by the First Secretary in charge of Consular Affairs at the Consulate of Colombia in Ottawa on 24 June 2004. It should be noted that registration and birth certificate are synonymous for the purpose of this Response. Colombian law allows for a notary public to issue a birth certificate. Both parents must be present to give their signatures. The First Secretary provided the following unofficial translation of Article 118 of Decree 1260 of 1970:

Article 118 of Decree 1260 of 1970 states that the following officials are the ones authorized to issue civil status (birth certificates) documents:

In the country, Notaries Public. In the municipalities that do not have a Notary Public, municipal registrars of the civil status or, in [their] absence, municipal mayors.

The Superintendency of Notaries and Registry can authorize, exceptionally and fundamentally, the delegates of the municipal registrars and the correctors and police inspectors to be in charge of civil registry matters.

Outside Colombia, consular officials authorize birth certificates.

In order to acquire a birth certificate at a Colombian Consulate, one must follow the following steps. The Colombian Consulate that has jurisdiction over the city where a baby was born to either a Colombian father or a Colombian mother shall register the birth. In the event that a registration does not take place abroad, it may be done in Colombia. In this case, the birth certificate issued by the country of birth shall be submitted. This certificate is authenticated by the competent Colombian Consul, who signs the document (the Legalization Office of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifies this signature). Having satisfied these requirements, registration may take place before any notary public in the country. A sworn translator shall translate documents issued in a language other than Spanish.

The First Secretary listed three documents that must be submitted in order to acquire a birth certificate, which is free of charge:

1) Birth certificate issued by the hospital where the birth took place, stating the mother's name, her address, date and time of the child's birth.

2) Both parents shall meet with the Consul and bring their identification documents (citizenship identification card, in the case of the Colombia mother or father; or passport, if the parent is not Colombia)

3) The child must be brought to the Consulate for finger printing.

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

Consulate of Colombia in Ottawa. 24 June 2004. Correspondence from the First Secretary in charge of Consular Affairs.