Married In The Philippines

[SuperDuper! 230]

Hello everyone. Last month in May(5/13-5/24) I went to the philippines to visit my fiancee for the first time. While I was there we decided to get married. We got married in am on the 24th, as I had to be there 10 days to legally process this. At the present we are awaiting our marriage contract so I can process the petition for her to be here in the USA. I just read something from another post about a "Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage", which I haven't an idea about this. Can someone help me to understand where i stand and what needs to be done at this point in order for us to be together? I really wish this was a whole lot easier. When do i file? What are the fees look like? PLEASE...what are the next steps? I miss her so much:(

If this is necessary, I visited Digos City, Davao del sur, in Mindanao. Her mom works in the superior court of Bansalan which is her hometown and the court we got married at. If you need more info, please ask me. I'm desparate for some guidance. I'm trying to remain positive. Thank you all in advance.

oh mannn... legal capacity to marry is required before getting married specially here in phils...

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwha009.html

Just file for a K1 visa, and marry her within 90 days of arrival in US. I guess momz job at the court did not get you pointed in the right direction for LCM. Gud Luck!

check this site

How in the world did you get married with out it? "you" have to go to the US Embassy to get CCM it's like $30.00 sheeesh! This is not legally in the eyes of NSO.

You have to start over you will have to go back to the US Embassy no one can do it for you!!!! your the one who has to sign the form I would say NSO will void your marriage

[sjr09 155]

LCM is required by the Civil Registrar in the Philippines but is not required when you file I-130 or I-129f at USCIS or when the spouse has her interview in the embassy. There were instances that the spouse's family or relatives has "political influence" in the Civil Registrar office and they do not require LCM anymore. I know of someone who used to posts here in VJ who got married and was not required to submit it when they applied for a marriage license. His wife and kids are now in the US.

Since the OP is already married without obtaining LCM, in my opinion all they can do right now is wait for the NSO copy of their marriage certificate and file the petition. Once the petition is filed, the USCIS will do a background check on the USC petitioner and they will find out if he was free to marry before getting married in the Philippines and if he is capable of supporting his wife when he gets to the US.

This is just my 2 cents, file the petition and when it gets approve and has a schedule for interview the OP can go back in the Philippines and have the interview with his wife. If it were me, I will not ask my husband to come fly all the way back and spend money for plane tickets just for the LCM. The important thing that the embassy is looking for are proofs of bonafide relationship.

What year did they stop LCM requirement? Very true about the background check she will have one to.

[raquel_1208 1]

It is the requirement at Civil Registrars Office when you file for marriage license. Its still is being implemented but there are instances that the future spouse's family or relatives has "political influences" in the Municipal Hall and the government employees do not ask for it anymore. If you are not familiar with how the "palakasan" system works in the local government in the Philippines, please ask your wife about it as it happens most of the time. Most of the government employees I know and used to work with goes by the book but unfortunately some of them don't.

Edited June 8, 2009 by raquel_1208

[raquel_1208 1]

Oh and I just want to add that LCM is not a requirement in filing for the petition because I have followed the guides her in VJ and its not included there.

[sjr09 155]

Oh and I just want to add that LCM is not a requirement in filing for the petition because I have followed the guides her in VJ and its not included there.

True

[booger 0]

Oh and I just want to add that LCM is not a requirement in filing for the petition because I have followed the guides her in VJ and its not included there.

Raquel.... it isn't VJ to decide their fate right? we only give advice and opinions... It is the Embassy that makes or breaks you (so to speak) BUT, the LCM is a REQUIRED step to be LEGALLY married.. i still see problems for them , unless they cancel the petition now before it is approved and start over and do it right this time........... personally i don't see how the OP got their papers filed in the first place ... oh wait i just remembered part of his original post........ "Her mom works in the superior court of Bansalan which is her hometown and the court we got married at". ................ HMMMM i think his new MOM-in law did som string pulling at that place .....in my opinion ....

[sjr09 155]

It is the requirement at Civil Registrars Office when you file for marriage license. Its still is being implemented but there are instances that the future spouse's family or relatives has "political influences" in the Municipal Hall and the government employees do not ask for it anymore. If you are not familiar with how the "palakasan" system works in the local government in the Philippines, please ask your wife about it as it happens most of the time. Most of the government employees I know and used to work with goes by the book but unfortunately some of them don't.

Yes my wife has told me. and have seen some of this. I'm only talking from a legal point of view on this topic not all of us will have this advantage. One thing that is true is it will all come out in the wash.

[forestrose 0]

Hello everyone. Last month in May(5/13-5/24) I went to the philippines to visit my fiancee for the first time. While I was there we decided to get married. We got married in am on the 24th, as I had to be there 10 days to legally process this. At the present we are awaiting our marriage contract so I can process the petition for her to be here in the USA. I just read something from another post about a "Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage", which I haven't an idea about this. Can someone help me to understand where i stand and what needs to be done at this point in order for us to be together? I really wish this was a whole lot easier. When do i file? What are the fees look like? PLEASE...what are the next steps? I miss her so much:(

If this is necessary, I visited Digos City, Davao del sur, in Mindanao. Her mom works in the superior court of Bansalan which is her hometown and the court we got married at. If you need more info, please ask me. I'm desparate for some guidance. I'm trying to remain positive. Thank you all in advance.

you could have gotten 'legal capacity to contract marriage from the embassy immediately after your arrival , it is a prerequisite before you are given a marriage license .

[booger 0]

But to all of us....... God Bless us all on this ... i hope us all the results we are looking for so we can be with with the one we love........ Wayne

[raquel_1208 1]

Oh and I just want to add that LCM is not a requirement in filing for the petition because I have followed the guides her in VJ and its not included there.

Raquel.... it isn't VJ to decide their fate right? we only give advice and opinions... It is the Embassy that makes or breaks you (so to speak) BUT, the LCM is a REQUIRED step to be LEGALLY married.. i still see problems for them , unless they cancel the petition now before it is approved and start over and do it right this time........... personally i don't see how the OP got their papers filed in the first place ... oh wait i just remembered part of his original post........ "Her mom works in the superior court of Bansalan which is her hometown and the court we got married at". ................ HMMMM i think his new MOM-in law did som string pulling at that place .....in my opinion ....

Yes, we can give our opinion to guide the OP. I just want to point out the phrase you post "the LCM is a REQUIRED step to be LEGALLY married." In my experience and having a father who used to work in Civil Registrar Office and the others who have posted here, LCM or no LCM once you have the marriage license and got married, it goes to their records and submits copies to NSO office in Quezon City and that is what I can refer to as LEGALLY married.

And they do not have to cancel the petition because that is not how it works in the USCIS. I just want to help the OP get his wife with less money and time involve. I have been a VJ member for 3 years now and I have never seen a post in the Philippine forum where a couple was not approved or given a visa because they did not get Legal Capacity to Marry before they got married. It is a requirement in the Philippine system but not in the USCIS.

My opinions are based on my experiences and posts that I have read from others. Its still up to the OP what he knows is best.

Edited June 8, 2009 by raquel_1208

[sjr09 155]

Hello everyone. Last month in May(5/13-5/24) I went to the philippines to visit my fiancee for the first time. While I was there we decided to get married. We got married in am on the 24th, as I had to be there 10 days to legally process this. At the present we are awaiting our marriage contract so I can process the petition for her to be here in the USA. I just read something from another post about a "Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage", which I haven't an idea about this. Can someone help me to understand where i stand and what needs to be done at this point in order for us to be together? I really wish this was a whole lot easier. When do i file? What are the fees look like? PLEASE...what are the next steps? I miss her so much:(

If this is necessary, I visited Digos City, Davao del sur, in Mindanao. Her mom works in the superior court of Bansalan which is her hometown and the court we got married at. If you need more info, please ask me. I'm desparate for some guidance. I'm trying to remain positive. Thank you all in advance.

you could have gotten 'legal capacity to contract marriage from the embassy immediately after your arrival , it is a prerequisite before you are given a marriage license .

Yup, i was in and out in about 40min.

[metro420 1]

Hello Chris and Joyce,

Legal capacity to Contract Marriage is a legal requirement to marry in the Philippines. Since you were not informed about it and you did not get it before you got the license, better to call the Us embassy in Manila to find out what you should do about this. I just hope it won't be a big problem for the NSO to release your Marriage Certificate/Contract. Good luck and God Bless

[Malyn67 0]

Hello,

Before we plan to get married here in Philippines, I did many inquiries

before we made our vows.

If you are single, you need to bring with you the birth cert., id's and etc.

but if you are divorce you need the divorce paper, Birth cert,

childrens birth cert., passport, id's & $30. Present all those in US,

embassy,Manila then they will give you the legal capacity to

marry paper. after that, i remembered we went to civil registry in our

City and present the requirements including my cenomar (Cert.of

being single) birth cert. then wait for 10days to release the marriage

licence and then we arranged our wedding. We enjoy so much as we did

the processing we get to know each other more, inside out..hahaha.

It was fun!

I got my marriage contract from NSO Phil, my hubby file for spousal visa/CR1

which they received last March 4 and approved last March 28,09. He recieved

form AOS filing & sent the payments last April and lately he got form to fill up.

I assume the papers are still in California service center for evaluation,

I dont know but I hope I could see America on summer time this year God willing,

coz I really miss my hubby.

Our patience is really tested..and truly all things work together for our good!

In His time truly God make all things beautiful!

God bless,

malyn

[Ken-Love 0]

i asked everyone i knew who got married here in philippines all of them secured a legal capacity to marry from US embassy in manila, so i am sure u are not exempted. u have to get it correct early as possible before it creates big trouble.

[Chris & Joyce 0]

i guess imma have to wait to see what happens with receiving my marriage certificate. once i know the results, i will contact US embassy manila and tell them my situation as i plan NOT hiding this. im sure there has got to be a way to obtain a paper without having to fly out. and if worse comes to worser i have no choice but to go see my honey afterall... either way its just not worth worrying about. shes in my heart and im in her heart and thats all that matters. we will soon get over this hump. i just thank Jesus for the peace He gives:)