Colombia consular ID (Tarjeta de Registro Consular) + cédula digital — both, explained
Colombia is one of the few countries that gives its citizens in the US two government ID routes through its consulates: a true consular ID card — the Tarjeta de Registro Consular (TRC), free of charge — and, since April 2023, processing of the cédula digital, Colombia’s national identity document, at every consulate in the country. Here is how each works, as of June 12, 2026.
The Tarjeta de Registro Consular (TRC)
The TRC is Colombia’s consular identification card, created by Decreto 642 of 2014.
- Cost: free
- Validity: 5 years
- What it is: a Colombian-government photo ID documenting your registration (registro consular) with your consulate
Where the physical card is issued
The physical TRC card is produced at authorized consulates: Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, New York, Newark, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago. That authorized list may have grown since publication — confirm with your consulate whether it issues the physical card.
What the TRC is accepted for
Colombia’s official Gov.co description of the TRC says it has high recognition among local entities, supports US driver-license procedures, and “enables banking transactions in most countries.”
Treat that as the issuing government’s framing, not a guarantee by any US institution. Under USA PATRIOT Act Section 326 and 31 CFR 1020.220, each US bank decides for itself which foreign-government IDs it accepts — only Mexico’s matrícula consular has documented mass acceptance (GAO-04-881: 160+ institutions). Before relying on the TRC at a bank or DMV, ask that specific institution. See opening a bank account with an ITIN and the state ID and driver license guide by state.
The TRC does not confer or affect US immigration status, and it is not a REAL ID.
The cédula digital at US consulates
Since April 2023, all 11 Colombian consulates in the US process the cédula digital — Colombia’s national identity document — on behalf of the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil.
- Fee: US$63.13 (as of June 12, 2026)
- Process: biometrics are captured at the consulate; the document is picked up later
This means Colombians in the US can keep their national ID current without traveling to Colombia — useful for procedures with Colombian entities that require the cédula rather than a consular card.
Which one do you need?
These are separate documents with separate procedures:
| Tarjeta de Registro Consular | Cédula digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | The consulate (Decreto 642/2014) | Registraduría, via the consulate |
| Cost | Free | US$63.13 |
| Validity | 5 years | — |
| Where | Authorized consulates (physical card) | All 11 US consulates |
| Main use | ID inside the US | Colombia’s national identity document |
Many Colombians in the US hold both: the TRC as a no-cost local ID, the cédula as the national document Colombian institutions require.
Related information
- All Colombia consulates in the US
- Colombia passport renewal
- ITIN bank account opening
- State DMV access without SSN
- Find pro bono immigration legal help
Authoritative sources
- Colombia Ágil (Gov.co) — Tarjeta de Registro Consular: https://colombiaagil.gov.co
- Embassy of Colombia in the US — cédula digital at consulates: https://estadosunidos.embajada.gov.co
- Decreto 642 de 2014 (creates the Tarjeta de Registro Consular)
- USA PATRIOT Act Section 326 / 31 CFR 1020.220; GAO-04-881
Last verified: 2026-06-12. General procedural information for educational purposes. Consular fees, document requirements, and acceptance policies change. Verify directly with your Colombian consulate and the specific US institution accepting the document before relying on it. Not legal advice.