What's the MARRIAGE process? (First post :) )

[Rennar 0]

Hi! I need some help!

 

My fiance and I are planning on getting married in the Philippines this year MAY, 2017. 

I am a US Citizen and she is a Filipino citizen residing in Makati, Manila

 

We plan on applying for a CR-1 visa, but before that we need to get married!

 

QUESTION: What is the process a Filipino citizen must take to marry a US citizen? What are the first steps? IE: trips to Manila City Halls and US Embassy? 

 

Background:  We are 23 years old, college graduates. I have visited her 5 times already since 2014, we have traveled together, I have proposed to her with a diamond ring (have receipt) and I am traveling in June for about 25 days to get married with her.

[geowrian 22,335]

Either apply for a K-1 visa or a CR-1 visa.

 

K-1 (Fiance visa): Lets you enter the US for the purpose of getting married and filing AOS (to get a green card). ETA: 6-8 months currently.

 

CR-1: Get married (anywhere) then apply for this visa. ETA: 10-12+ months. No AOS required...you get a green card after arrival automatically.

 

K-1 is a more expensive and complex process, but lets you enter the US more quickly. CR-1 is slower to enter the US, but cheaper and simpler overall.

 

Since you noted you have plans to marry in Philippines already it sounds like the CR-1 is the way to go. After getting married, you can apply for the CR-1 visa.

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

 

K-1 guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

CR-1 guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

 

 

[kythe 0]

17 minutes ago, Rennar said:

QUESTION: What is the process a Filipino citizen must take to marry a US citizen? What are the first steps? IE: trips to Manila City Halls and US Embassy? 

 

 

 

Before filing for a marriage license, a foreigner marrying a Filipino is required by the PH government to provide a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. This can be obtained from the embassy. 

For more info, check the website of US embassy PH https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/getting-married/ 

All the best! 

[Rennar 0]

Hi Geowrian,

 

Thanks for your quick reply. It's really appreciated.

 

Yes we believe the CR-1 Visa  is  the best option available to us.

 

My question is for others who have gone through the same process and on the practicality of it.

 

I arrive in Manila June 1, 2017 and my intent is to get married: Whats my first step?

 

If anyone can guide us we would greatly appreciate it, thank you! 

[Rennar 0]

9 minutes ago, kythe said:

 

Before filing for a marriage license, a foreigner marrying a Filipino is required by the PH government to provide a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. This can be obtained from the embassy. 

For more info, check the website of US embassy PH https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/getting-married/ 

All the best! 

Thanks Kythe for your help, we truly appreciate it.

The embassy page says that the US does not provide "  Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage but it does provide an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage".  Will this be accepted? Please only respond if you've gone through this yourself to save everyone's time

 

I really appreciate the help guys!

[Charlie_AnaLynn 2]

I am also a US citizen (from SoCal too) and got married to my wife in December 2015 before applying for our CR-1 in September 2016. Six months before the wedding I went back to the Philippines to celebrate my then fiancee's bday and while I was there I had an appointment to specifically get the Affidavit at the US Embassy in Manila. It is necessary to have it in order to get your marriage license. Book the appointment as soon as you can. 

[kythe 0]

12 minutes ago, Rennar said:

Thanks Kythe for your help, we truly appreciate it.

The embassy page says that the US does not provide "  Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage but it does provide an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage".  Will this be accepted? Please only respond if you've gone through this yourself to save everyone's time

 

I really appreciate the help guys!

Yes, they will accept it. I am a Filipino married to an American, and we got married in the Philippines. 

[Rennar 0]

5 minutes ago, Charlie_AnaLynn said:

I am also a US citizen (from SoCal too) and got married to my wife in December 2015 before applying for our CR-1 in September 2016. Six months before the wedding I went back to the Philippines to celebrate my then fiancee's bday and while I was there I had an appointment to specifically get the Affidavit at the US Embassy in Manila. It is necessary to have it in order to get your marriage license. Book the appointment as soon as you can. 

Hey Charlie, thanks for your help! 

 

How long should I be in the Philippines for to complete the whole marriage process? I have planned 25 ish days, do I need more time?

[Charlie_AnaLynn 2]

That should be enough time. Just make sure your fiancee gets all her requirements (birth certificate, certificate of no marriage, etc) ASAP. Obtaining simple things like a birth certificate can be a lengthy and slower process than what you are used to. 

[kythe 0]

How will you get married - civil or religious ceremony?

If you are getting married in a church, they may require additional documents. Just check with their office.

[Sagot 1,548]

1 hour ago, Rennar said:

Hi! I need some help!

 

My fiance and I are planning on getting married in the Philippines this year MAY, 2017. 

I am a US Citizen and she is a Filipino citizen residing in Makati, Manila

 

We plan on applying for a CR-1 visa, but before that we need to get married!

 

QUESTION: What is the process a Filipino citizen must take to marry a US citizen? What are the first steps? IE: trips to Manila City Halls and US Embassy? 

 

Background:  We are 23 years old, college graduates. I have visited her 5 times already since 2014, we have traveled together, I have proposed to her with a diamond ring (have receipt) and I am traveling in June for about 25 days to get married with her.

 

The process for getting married is all about the Philippines and where in the Philippines, your fiancee should be versed in the Philippine requirements, I would hope.  But one item you will need is from the embassy, and that is a legal capacity to marry certificate.   Below is a link that should help.

 

https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/getting-married/?_ga=1.220968536.1597946082.1481680230

[Brassballs 47]

Have your fiancé check the requirements at her LCO for their requirements prior to issuing a marriage license.  Most require both of you to attend a daylong pre-marriage seminar.  Also there is a 10 day cooling off period between issuing the license and actually being able to be married.  If you are planning for a Catholic church wedding there are many more hoops to jump through so your fiancé needs to start asking questions at her church now.

[Brassballs 47]

Couldn't find the EDIT button anymore.

 

LCO = LCR = Local Civil Registrar

[teddy k 35]

Hi, I got married to my wife in the Philippines in Dec 2013 this is how I planned my wedding. 1. I made an appointment at the Embassy so as soon as I arrived I went to my appointment paid the $50.00 for the document to marry. Then me and my wife went to the LOCAL city hall to file our marriage contract then you plan out your wedding but first make sure your Wife did her homework on getting all her documents ready and plan to party for a few days for your up coming wedding. Best of luck to you 

Edited February 11, 2017 by teddy k
Miss spell

[Rennar 0]

On 2/9/2017 at 5:08 PM, Brassballs said:

Couldn't find the EDIT button anymore.

 

LCO = LCR = Local Civil Registrar

Thanks for the clarification sir! It really is helping me a lot!

On 2/10/2017 at 4:50 PM, teddy k said:

Hi, I got married to my wife in the Philippines in Dec 2013 this is how I planned my wedding. 1. I made an appointment at the Embassy so as soon as I arrived I went to my appointment paid the $50.00 for the document to marry. Then me and my wife went to the LOCAL city hall to file our marriage contract then you plan out your wedding but first make sure your Wife did her homework on getting all her documents ready and plan to party for a few days for your up coming wedding. Best of luck to you 

Congratulations to you! Sounds exciting. And thanks for your help; I already purchased my ticket from May 22 to June 20. Will be going to the  US Embassy basically the day after I arrive because my plane lands at 9:30 pm  : - )