No, There Are No Mobile Notaries in Colombia

If you’re an expat coming from the United States, Canada, or the UK, you probably expect to call a mobile notary public to meet you at your home, hotel, or coworking space to witness a signature. That service does not exist in Colombia — and understanding why will save you hours of frustration.

In Colombia, a notario is not a private individual with a stamp. A Notaría is a public-function office authorized by the Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro, staffed by a state-appointed Notario and multiple clerks. Notarial acts must be performed inside the Notaría (with very narrow exceptions for the terminally ill or incarcerated, which require a formal request and additional fees).

What This Means in Practice

• You must go in person. The signer must physically appear before the Notaría with a valid ID (cédula for Colombians, passport or cédula de extranjería for foreigners).
• No “come to me” service. There is no equivalent of a U.S. mobile notary who drives to your location. Promotional websites offering “notario a domicilio” almost always refer to document-pickup couriers, not actual notarial authentication.
• Notarías have fixed schedules. Most operate Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings. Hours vary by notaría.
• Fees are standardized. Notarial tariffs are set nationally by decree each year and are identical at every notaría in Colombia.
• All 31 Medellín notarías are competent for most routine acts (powers of attorney, authenticating signatures, copies, affidavits). You can walk into the closest one.

Common Acts Expats Need a Notaría For

• Authentication of signatures on powers of attorney (poder especial / poder general)
• Authentication of copies of passports, diplomas, or marriage certificates
• Escritura pública (public deed) for real estate purchases, mortgages, and company formation
• Declaraciones extrajuicio (sworn declarations) for single status, dependents, or residence
• Apostille prerequisites — before the Cancillería apostilles a Colombian document, it usually must first pass through a notaría

Complete List of Notarías in Medellín (2026)

There are 31 notarías in the city of Medellín, numbered 1 through 31. Below is the current directory compiled from the Alcaldía de Medellín and notariasenmedellin.com. Addresses and phones can change — please call ahead.

Tips for Expats Visiting a Notaría

1. Bring the original ID the notaría will photograph or scan it. Foreigners should carry the passport plus the cédula de extranjería if they have one.
2. Arrive early. Numbers are handed out on a first-come basis; peak hours are 10:00 a.m. – noon and after 3:00 p.m.
3. Cash, debit and credit are accepted at most notarías, but the older ones still prefer cash for small authentications.
4. Bring extra copies. You will often be asked for two or three photocopies; every notaría has a copy shop within 20 meters.
5. If you don’t speak Spanish, bring a bilingual friend or hire an accredited translator. The notaría staff generally does not speak English.
6. For documents going abroad, remember the chain: Notaría → Gobernación or Cancillería → Apostille. Plan 3–5 business days.

Need Help Navigating Colombian Notarías?

Our team guides expats through every step, from drafting a bulletproof Spanish-language power of attorney to coordinating apostille and international shipping. Contact us and we’ll take the paperwork off your plate.

Sources: Alcaldía de Medellín – Listado de Notarías · Notarías en Medellín. Guides for Bogotá and Cali are coming soon.