Utah Online Marriage and ROM [merged threads]

[top_secret 2,787]

2 hours ago, Theersink said:

San Francisco Consulate (I would imagine this is all of them since it looks to be an official process) is now asking for a notarized Affidavit of Explanation stating that the marriage was held online and the Filipino spouse was not in the US at time of marriage. This was not listed on their website list of requirements. I received a call from them asking to send this additional statement. They emailed me a current checklist for ROMs which I am sharing here. 

 

 

Interesting.  As of about a year ago they had dropped the previously existing requirement for the Affidavit of Explanation.  It seems it is back.

[Theersink 48]

On 4/8/2024 at 5:41 PM, top_secret said:

Interesting.  As of about a year ago they had dropped the previously existing requirement for the Affidavit of Explanation.  It seems it is back.

Well, I got busy and put it off for a week or so and they ended up processing it without the additional statement so it seems to be a "at the moment" thing if it is required or not. 

[Mccranny22 1]

Can anyone who has recently sent a ROM to San Francisco Consulate help me out here?

What do I need, the checklist mention negative certification or marriage , but the requirements page doesn't mention the need for this. The checklist also mention proof of citizenship at time of marriage wouldn't this be covered by marriage certificate, passport, and birth certificate and its not necessary? We did Utah Online Marriage for reference. Lastly does the cover letter need to be notarized, an example of explanation of what you sent would be amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Theersink 48]

Everything on the checklist is required unless it doesn't apply to you such as prev marriage ect. Use the checklist. When we filed I went by the website and had to submit additional documents later. You will need the CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) for the USCIS anyway so have your spouse get one and submit it as well. Citizenship item 5 is only required if your spouse is currently in the US, otherwise the passport should show current address within the Philippines. The cover letter does not require notarization but the other 4 ROM forms do, ALL 4 NEED WET SIGNATURES/notarized, don't just sign/notarize 1 and make 3 copies. I would email the embassy and ask if it is ok for only 1 notarized signature (yours) for the ROM form, technically in country it requires both parties but I was told by the person who processed ours to just get the 4 notarized and that would be fine. Saved a lot of shipping back and forth for signatures. Make sure the Utah certificate is Apostilled or it will be refused.

 

Quirk is the return envelope, you cannot get a priority mailer "prepaid" from USPS as they have to be weighed prior. I had to go to the post office and explain I needed something prepaid with a tracking number and the literally stuck stamps on the priority envelope to make it "prepaid". Evidently the labels can't be printed without being weighed first.  

The SF consulate is known for being a bit wishy washy with requirements so be prepared for a call or email asking for something else as it seems to shift according to the person actually processing it.