In accordance with article 127 of Decree Law 960 of 1970, which determines the number of notaries that a municipality can have according to its population, currently the notarial circle of the District of Medellín has 31 offices of this public service.
Unlike other agencies that are distributed by communes or neighborhoods, the notaries assigned to a municipality can be concentrated within an area with massive human mobility or with a high number of notarial records.
For decades, most of the notary offices assigned to Medellín were located in the city center. However, for reasons associated with security, public space, vehicular traffic and accessibility difficulties, for some years now many notaries decided to move their offices from commune 10, La Candelaria.
“When I received the notary we were in El Palo with Bolivia. In seven months we were victims of robberies, including me. The lurking crime and road problems in the area became unsustainable, so we looked for another location. We were the first notary office on the Golden Mile. Now, many others are coming to the sector,” describes Beatriz Elena Castaño Alzate, notary 11 of Medellín.
At this time, El Poblado has 14 notary offices; until less than four years ago there were only eight. “This is an area that has grown a lot, where the financial, commercial and business sectors converge, with a high number of properties and people seeking our services,” added the notary.
Of the 14 notary offices in El Poblado, six are concentrated between Monterrey, where 22 operates, and El Poblado Avenue. On 10th Street are 12th and 20th; in Astorga, 2 and 25; and in the Palermo sector, 17.
“In Colombia, the notary office is transversal to the life of the citizen: from when he is born in his civil registry registration, when he establishes a marriage bond or divorces, when he acquires his first home or sells it, even when he dies. We, representing the State, are guarantors that those acts carried out in the notary’s office comply with all legality control.”
Beatriz Elena Castaño Alzate, notary 11 of Medellín. The notary’s office is located in the Caja Social de Ahorros building on El Poblado Avenue.
Last notary offices to arrive in El Poblado
First: Oviedo shopping center; arrives from Berrío Park.
Third: River City; It was near the Exhibition station.
Quinta: Premium Plaza; It was near Unicentro (we included it due to its proximity to El Poblado, given that the Premium shopping center is on the entire border between communes 10 and 14).
Blackjack: Las Palmas Avenue; before, in the Stadium sector.
Twenty-two: Monterrey. He moved from Carabobo Norte.
Thirty: Key point; comes from the center.
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Beatriz Elena Castaño Alzate, Notary 11 of Medellín. Thank you for joining us, Beatriz!
Beatriz: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss the role of notaries in our community.
Interviewer: The notarial system in Medellín has seen some significant changes recently. Could you tell us a bit about the current structure of notaries in the city?
Beatriz: Absolutely. According to Decree Law 960 of 1970, the number of notaries in a municipality is determined by its population. Currently, Medellín has 31 notary offices. Unlike other public agencies that might be spread across various neighborhoods, notaries often concentrate in areas with higher demand for their services due to factors like population density and ease of access.
Interviewer: That’s interesting. I understand that many notary offices moved from the city center to areas like El Poblado. What prompted this shift?
Beatriz: The move was mainly due to safety concerns and accessibility issues. For many years, notaries were located in El Palo with Bolivia, but we faced persistent security threats and traffic congestion that made it difficult for clients to access our services. Moving to El Poblado not only improved safety for our staff and clients but also placed us in a rapidly growing financial and commercial hub.
Interviewer: It sounds like El Poblado has become quite the notary hotspot! What can you tell us about the growth of notary offices in that area?
Beatriz: Yes, El Poblado has indeed transformed into a vibrant area for notarial services. Just four years ago, there were only eight notary offices, and now there are 14. This growth reflects the increasing number of properties and businesses in the locality, signaling a higher demand for services like property transactions and other legal documentation.
Interviewer: Your office is one of the pioneers in the Golden Mile sector, right? Can you share your personal experience?
Beatriz: Certainly. When we first relocated, we were among the first notaries in that area. The decision came after experiencing several robberies and increasing crime in our previous location. Establishing our office in El Poblado has allowed us to serve a larger and more diverse clientele, especially in this economic hub.
Interviewer: You mention that notaries play a crucial role in people’s lives. Can you elaborate on the functions you serve within Colombian society?
Beatriz: Definitely! In Colombia, notaries are essential to many life events—starting from civil registry at birth, to marriage licenses, real estate transactions, and even managing estates after death. We act as representatives of the state, ensuring that these important acts are documented and comply with legal standards, providing security and trust for all parties involved.
Interviewer: It’s impressive how your role intersects with so many critical moments in citizens’ lives. How do you ensure that your office remains accessible and efficient for your community?
Beatriz: We prioritize convenience and efficiency. We focus on creating a welcoming and secure environment for our clients, and we strive to manage appointments and services better to minimize wait times. Additionally, we continually evaluate our processes to ensure that we meet the changing needs of our community efficiently.
Interviewer: As a final thought, what message would you like to convey to the citizens of Medellín regarding the importance of notarial services?
Beatriz: I’d like to emphasize that notarial services are a cornerstone of legal and civil security in our lives. Whenever you need to formalize an important life event, know that we’re here to support you and ensure everything is handled with the utmost integrity and legality. It’s our privilege to serve the community.
Interviewer: Thank you, Beatriz, for sharing such valuable insights about the notarial profession in Medellín. It’s inspiring to hear about the positive impact you and your colleagues are making.
Beatriz: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to discuss our work and its importance.
20-year newsroom veteran, former Reuters foreign-desk chief. Oversees editorial strategy and standards at Time .News. Multiple Society of Professional Journalists awards.
