So, you are in Colombia and realize your passport is about to expire: the perfect situation for a panic attack! Not really; renewing a passport in Colombia is fairly frequent.
Several readers asked about renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and if you can renew passports in any city. So, in this article, we first look at how to renew a U.S. passport, and then we look at how to renew passports from a few other countries.
Where Do I Go When Renewing Passports From the U.S. in Colombia?
Renewing a U.S. passport in Colombia must be done at the U.S. embassy in Bogotá or at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.
To do this yourself in Bogotá, you need to make an appointment at the embassy and be in Bogotá. Appointments are also needed at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.
Also, since 2022, US citizens in Colombia can complete the process through mail as long as they apply through Form D-28.
How Do I Get to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá?
There is a Transmilenio station near the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá – Quinta Paredes on the K line. Or provide the following address to a taxi driver: U.S. Embassy Address: Calle 24 Bis #48-2 a 48-98, Bogotá.
There are multiple entrances into the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. Coming from the Transmilenio, the first entrance gate you will see is for staff, official state visitors, or the like. Keep walking and look for the entrance gate for American Citizen Services (ACS).
Once at the entrance gate, the security guard will write down some information from your passport in their book and open the door for you. Then you walk into the first building to the right, where you will need to turn in your phone and an ID for a green plastic fob and a visitor’s badge before going through a metal detector.
Exit that building and walk 50 meters to the actual embassy building, where you will pass through another metal detector to enter.
You will then have to wait for your appointment. And there is a DHL booth to pay for the delivery of your passport. Once you apply, the passport renewal officially takes a few weeks, and your passport will be sent to you via DHL.
How Much Will I Pay for Renewing My Passport in Colombia?
When renewing your passport, you can do so through two different forms: the DS-11 and the DS-82 Form. The price will depend on the reason for the renewal. By 2026, the price of the service is between $65 USD ($233.000 COP approximately) and $165 USD ($590.000 COP approximately, with an exchange rate of 3,750 COP).
The passport renewal can be done in person or by an agency using the DS-82 Form only if your most recent U.S. passport:
- It is undamaged and can be submitted with your application.
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older.
- Was issued within the last 15 years.
- Was issued in the exact same name as your previous passport, or you can legally document your name change with an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, or other government-issued document evidencing your legal name change under federal or state law.
If you answered no to any of the above statements, you cannot use the DS-82 Form; instead, apply in person using the DS-11 Form.
If you want to optimize the process for obtaining your United States passport in Colombia, you can also use a visa agency. For example, Expatgroup.co offers this alternative in its catalog for people who want to save on trips to Bogotá, priced at $256 USD, with options that let you receive your passport in other parts of Colombia if needed.
What Do I Need When Renewing My Passport in Colombia?
The following are what is needed for a U.S. passport renewal using the DS-82 from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá:
- Your most recent passport
- One recent color photo with a white background that measures 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) and complies with all government guidelines.
- Passport renewal fee (between $130 and $165 dollars).
- DHL delivery fee (Prices may vary depending on where the passport is being sent).
- Your address in Colombia to deliver the new US passport. DHL will want a postal code in Colombia. See our article about finding Colombian addresses, including postal codes.
Also, you will need a secondary ID (e.g., a driver’s license or Colombian cédula) to serve as your deposit for the embassy visitor’s badge.
Where Do I Go When Renewing Passports in Colombia If I'm Not in Bogotá or Barranquilla?
Renewing a U.S. passport yourself in Colombia requires a trip to Bogotá or Barranquilla. But you can avoid taking it by using a visa agency to renew your U.S. passport.
Several visa agencies in Medellín and other Colombia cities offer U.S. passport renewal services. With this, they will courier your passport to Bogotá and apply for your passport renewal at the U.S. Embassy. So, you avoid the cost and time for traveling to Bogotá or Barranquilla.
Several of the visa agencies we reviewed in our article about visa agencies in Colombia offer services to renew a U.S. passport.
Medellin Guru has partnered with what we believe is the best visa agency in Medellín to offer Colombia visa services and passport renewal services: expatgroup.co. Features of this service include:
Online chat
Get visa questions answered fast.
Online quotes
get immediate visa quotes.
Free consultation
Expert advice for your needs.
Competitive price
With plans and options for expats.
American Passport Renewal from Colombia
- Avoid trips to Bogotá.
- Filling out the DS-20 Form.
- Review of the documentation required.
- Shipping to anywhere in Colombia.
- Offices in Medellín and Bogotá.
GET 25% OFF IN YOUR FBI BACKGROUND CHECK
The expatgroup.co anniversary offer is now open! Obtain your U.S. FBI Background Check with Apostille and Translations with our reliable partner and meet the Colombian regulations.
*Offer available until January 30th.
*Apply terms and conditions.
Get your American Passport Renewal from colombia with us! At expatgroup.co, we can help you renew your US Passport from Colombia, avoiding all the trips to Bogotá or Barranquilla. Click the button to check the requirements and costs for an efficient, stress-free process.
What Documents Do I Need for Renewing My Passport Using the Expatgroup.co Service?
The US passport renewal service in Colombia is designed for foreigners who want to avoid traveling to Bogotá or Barranquilla, or who want the guarantee of receiving their new passport at the desired destination, while avoiding many of the most cumbersome or uncomfortable procedures of this process.
To access the US passport renewal service, you must meet the following requirements
- Passport: It is in good condition, and the original can be delivered with the application.
- Age: Your previous US passport was issued when you were 16 or older.
- Issuance: It was issued within the last 15 years.
- Name Requirement: The passport was issued under the same name as your previous one, or you may need to provide a legal document that proves your name change.
If you use the Medellin Guru passport renewal service, your passport will be returned to the Expatgroup.co office in El Poblado, and they will notify you when you can pick it up. You can also request that the passport be sent to another location, though an additional fee will apply.
Do I Need to Transfer My Current Colombian Visa to My New Passport?
After renewing your passport, do you need to transfer valid visas from your old passport to the new passport? The answer is “yes” and “no”.
In most cases, you can carry both passports: your old passport with a valid visa and your new passport. This is because your visa is associated with your passport number. So there will be situations where migration authorities will verify your status using the information in your old passport.
In the case of residents in Colombia, according to Resolution 5477 of 2022, they must request a visa transfer every five years. But we are also in the Transition Regime: any foreigner holding a resident visa in Colombia must transfer their Visa (to modify it and comply with the law), and the deadline is up to October 31, 2026. So if you also need to renew your passport, this might be the perfect time to kill two birds with one stone. Expatgroup.co also offers help with the visa transfer service, providing the expertise and verifying that you have all the documents required to complete the process.
Transfer your visa without worries
Medellin Guru has partnered with expatgroup.co, the visa agency we trust to verify documentation, upload the documents, submit the application, and help you transfer your visa.
Renewing Passports from Other Countries in Colombia
You can renew passports from many other countries in Colombia. And this needs to be done at the embassies of the countries located in Bogotá.
Renewing a U.S. passport is one of the most common foreign services required in Colombia. So, visa agencies have alternatives for this. But for renewing passports from other countries, the visa agencies do not appear to be set up for this until there is greater demand.
Below, we look at renewing passports from Canada, Australia, and Germany in Colombia.
Renewing Passports from Other Countries in Colombia
You can renew passports from many other countries in Colombia. And this needs to be done at the embassies of the countries located in Bogotá.
Renewing a U.S. passport is one of the most common foreign services required in Colombia. So, visa agencies have alternatives for this. But for renewing passports from other countries, the visa agencies do not appear to be set up for this until there is greater demand.
Below, we look at renewing passports from Canada, Australia, and Germany in Colombia
Where to Go for Renewing a Passport from Canada in Colombia?
To renew a Canadian passport in Colombia, you must be a Canadian citizen and can do so at the Canadian embassy in Bogotá.
- Was issued within 15 years of the date you applied for your renewal.
- Was issued when you were at least 16 years of age.
- Has the same name, sex, date of birth, and place of birth that you would like to appear on your new passport
Fill out a passport renewal form, provide two photos, and the fee. The fee can be between $194 CAN and $266 CAN. Also, passport photos must meet these Canadian passport photo requirements.
Canadian passport renewals take about 20 business days. And you need proof of travel for more urgent service.
Canadian Embassy Address: Carrera 7 # 114-33, Bogotá
Renewing a Passport from Australia in Colombia
Australian passport renewal applications can be done in person at the Australian embassy in Bogotá or by mail.
- Your passport was issued when you were aged 16 or older.
- Your passport was issued on or after 1 January 2006.
- Your passport had, when it was issued, at least two years’ validity.
- Your passport has your current name, date of birth, place of birth, and gender, and has not been reported lost, stolen, or canceled.
- Be present when you lodge your application.
If you are eligible, you will only need to print and complete the form, obtain two new photos, choose a payment method, and then email [email protected] to request fee payment instructions. Then you follow the instructions to submit your renewal applications.
If you apply in person, you will only need to print the form, bring it along with two new photos and your previous passport, and apply. Your previous passport will be physically canceled when you apply.
Here are the Australian passport photo requirements. The fee for renewing your passport is $611 AUD ($325 AUD Passport fee + $146 AUD for the overseas surcharge)
Australian Embassy Address: Carrera 9 # 115-06, Bogotá.
Renewing a Passport from Germany in Colombia
German passport renewal applications can be done at the German embassy in Bogotá or at German consular offices in Cali, Barranquilla, or Medellín.
For a German passport renewal, a passport application, two biometric photos, and the fee are required. The passport fee is €101 EUR with an additional fee of €22 EUR for 48 pages added. Also, there is a surcharge of €86,61 EUR to use the German consular offices in Cali, Barranquilla, or Medellín.
German Embassy Address: Calle 110 # 9-25, 11th floor, Bogotá
For passport renewals in other countries, you can check the embassy websites, which typically include instructions for renewing passports. There are over 50 embassies in Bogotá. So, it’s possible to renew passports from many countries in Colombia.
Medellin Guru's comprehensive visa and passport series
The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in October 2022 were significant. So, on the Medellin Guru site, we have a comprehensive series of visa articles that are kept up-to-date and should answer most visa questions. These articles include:
- Colombia Visa Guide: Ultimate Guide How to Get a Colombian Visa
- How to Obtain a Colombian Visa with Up-to-Date Info – an overview of all the Colombian visas
- Popular Colombian Visas for Foreigners: Which Visa is the Most Popular?
- Coronavirus Impacts on Colombian Visas and Tourist Visas
- Visa Agencies: A Guide to Visa Agencies in Medellín and Colombia
- 9 Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
We have looked in detail at the nine most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Retirement visa
- Marriage visa
- Investment visa
- Business Visa
- Resident visa
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Visitor visa
Also, we have looked in detail at three additional Colombian visas, which are less popular for foreigners:
- Rentista visa (annuity visa) – for foreigners with a fixed income
- Beneficiary visa – for relatives of visa holders
- Expertise visa – for professionals
In addition, we have a guide to Colombia tourist visas and how to extend a tourist visa. Also, we have a guide to renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and a guide to obtaining a Colombian passport.
Furthermore, we provide information about travel health policy that meets the health requirements for Colombian visas. And we have a guide to how to apply for a cedula extranjeria in Colombia and a guide to using notaries in Medellín and Colombia. Finally, Medellín Guru has partnered with a visa agency to offer Colombia visa services.
All of our Colombia visa articles are up to date (2025) and will continue to receive updates in 2026.
The Bottom Line: Guide to Renewing passports in Colombia - 2026 Update
It is possible to renew passports from many countries while in Colombia, as there are embassies from over 50 countries in Colombia.
One of the most frequently renewed passports in Colombia is the U.S. passport, so several visa agencies in Colombia offer U.S. passport renewal services. Using a passport renewal service avoids a trip to the U.S. embassy in Bogotá, saving time and money.
We looked at renewing an adult’s passport in this article. There are other procedures to follow for getting a new passport if your passport is stolen or to get a passport for a child, which can be found on embassy websites.
Medellin Guru Social media
Be part of our community. Find out about news, participate in events and enjoy the best of the city.