Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Philippines	Renew Passport in DC instead of area embassy	The Chicago consulate has a lot of out reach programs traveling to cities in the area they cover each summer. If you can wait, they may be coming to your city. You may want to call them to see when they will be back in your area. I know they come to Minneapolis every two years, which is where my wife renewed her passport in her married name. You can do the entire process of registering your marriage and getting a new passport all at one time.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-01-08 08:49:00
Philippines	sending electronics in balikbayan box.	I was going to say, we just shipped a box through Forex and they gave us a printout of this note, it also had a note about watches disappearing. We didn't read the note until after we dropped off the box though. And wouldn't you know it, we sent three watches as gifts. They were just cheap ones for kids, but we're hoping they make it now. I have sent a couple of gadgets before, luckily it wasn't checked by the US and Philippine Customs... However, here's an advisory on ALL shippers now: *** IMPORTANT NOTICE *** *** Shipping Electronic Devices *** Just recently, US Customs implemented a policy on electronic devices such as the following: Laptops, Kindle eReader, ipads, mobile phones and the like or those devices that can store information or that has installed software and applications. US Customs have been inspecting all electronic devices that would fall under that category. According to them, sending such devices is not prohibited. However, devices that may contain data are subject to scrutiny as they may compromise national security. That said, we are asking you to refrain from sending such items until we can resolve matters with the US Customs. If you want to continue to ship such electronic devices, you do so at your own risk. Please be warned that losses or damages that may result from Customs inspections will not be covered by insurance. http://shop.forexworld.us/ Its a risk, but if you're willing to risk it, then by all means,...	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2012-12-07 10:11:00
Philippines	Ok !!! Why are so Many Filipina's Connecting Up with American Men......???	Damn all the women who are becoming too independent.   That had to be some of the most ignorant, sexist, stereotypical nonsense I've ever read. I don't know what's more worrisome ... that it was written or that it's being praised as gospel.   What an interesting example of a woman totally invalidating the feelings of not one, but many men, because she doesn't like the message. It seems to me many men understand and relate to the message. But I guess we're wrong to feel those feelings, or to feel we've experienced such things. OK good for you, go on believing it. But maybe, just maybe, if so many men are reporting and feeling it, maybe its a lot more prevalent than you realize.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-07-31 22:07:00
Philippines	Ok !!! Why are so Many Filipina's Connecting Up with American Men......???	Great post Steve. I also think you hit the the nail on the head pretty good.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-07-31 12:52:00
Philippines	Ok !!! Why are so Many Filipina's Connecting Up with American Men......???	I can only speak for to what my own wife told me, on why she was open to a relationship with a foreigner. Her view was too many Pinoy cheat. It happened to her once with her only other bf, who she expected to marry, and she never wanted it to happen again. American men are viewed as more faithful, at least in her view. As to the green card, she'd ditch the green card and the better economic life in a moment if I'd move to the Philippines with her. And I mean there wouldn't be even one second delay, she'd be grabbing bags and packing while telling me to start the car.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-07-31 10:13:00
Philippines	Ok !!! Why are so Many Filipina's Connecting Up with American Men......???	Of course 99% divorce won't happen for filipinos/filipinas. They only do annulment    I'm not sure that separating and then finding someone new isn't almost as prevalent in the Philippines as divorce is in the USA. Not giving a low cost way for them to divorce, doesn't mean every married couple stays together for life.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-07-31 10:02:00
Philippines	Embassy Letter	she is going Tuesday -- but is having trouble getting her estranged fathers signature on the advice letter. She is calling CFO Monday to see if his signature matters   She only needs advice from one parent.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-09 14:19:00
Philippines	Embassy Letter	You needed your MNL number to set up your appointment for the K-1 interview. All you need is the appointment letter with the bar code to get in.  My wife never got anything from the embassy, until they sent her the approval package for her K-1.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-09 11:43:00
Philippines	How i met my American guy... future love of my life	I'm glad I'm the youngest of the siblings otherwise the sibling next to me will suffer and will get married at 48!!! hahahaha.   LOL that is funny. Glad you found each other.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-06 07:59:00
Philippines	Reporting Marriage in Philippine Consulate Chicago	and by the way how long is the waiting time for renewal? like how many weeks after can u get it?   Took us 5 weeks to get my wife's. But that was through the Chicago consulate.  Yes it does seem a bit weird they need 4 copies of everything to report the marriage. I guess they don't have a photocopier at the consulates. Funny thing is, your copy of the report of marriage abroad will be one of those copies with some notes on it and a rubber stamp. Very disappointing	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-15 07:17:00
Philippines	Reporting Marriage in Philippine Consulate Chicago	Hi VJ members! I would like to ask a few questions about ROM.    1) I have applied my AOS already, Got my AP/EAD card under my married name, No GC yet.   2) My passport will be expired on November 2013, and I am flying home to the philippines on October.   Since I can see that the ROM thing is toxic at the very least, I was planning to just renew my passport under my maiden name, bring over my Marriage Certificate when I travel and AP card.        what you guys think? Will I have problems in my POE or when I come home?  thank you for the opinions     I'm not sure what you mean about the report of marriage being toxic. It was very easy when my wife and I did it last year. We shortly followed it up with a renewal of her passport in her married name. The ROM and new passport can be completed at the same time, but Philippine Family Law allows you to continue to use your maiden name as you legal name if you wish.  Make sure your tickets are booked in your maiden name to match your passport. If your green card or AP is in your married name, make sure to bring a copy of your marriage certificate with you.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-06 07:50:00
Philippines	Being Judge By Other People	Don't you just hate when other people judge the person you love especially when they have not even met the person yet. They tell you "oh your making a mistake by petitioning him/her. he/she is just going to use you for the papers and leave you once he/she gets what he/she needs". How do most of you feel when your love one is being judge by family or friends?   The people that warned me the most about this, where immigrants to the USA. One was from Costa Rica, and the other from Russia. They just wanted me to be careful that I truly knew the person I was bringing over.  I guess it never bothered me that they brought it up. No family member or American born friend did.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-15 11:07:00
Philippines	petitioner married in the phil, but got divorced in US.	He may always be married to his first wife in the Philippines, but that does not make him married in the rest of the world or the USA. Just because the USA recognizes marriages taking place in other countries, does not mean the USA has given up its right to have jurisdiction on its own soil or its own citizens. The divorce was granted in the USA, the Philippines can cry and yell all it wants, it has no jurisdiction to say the divorce is not valid in the rest of the world. Should he return to the Philippines, they can say he's married all they want. They can ignore his new marriage and refuse to recognize it. In the rest of the world, this USC will be married to his second wife. Should he return to the Philippines, technically the Philippines government could charge him with bigamy after he remarries. If he plans to spend time in the Philippines, it might be a good idea for him to get an annulment there. But any repercussion about having divorced in the USA while still a Philippine Citizen is only valid on Philippines soil, in actions by the Philippine Government. As far as the USCIS and the US Embassy in the Philippines is concerned, he's a divorced man by virtue of US law. Had his fiancée gotten divorced in the USA under the same conditions then returned to the Philippines and try to return on a K-1, she would be unable to come because there, she would not be free to marry because she is currently on Philippines soil.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2012-04-25 08:26:00
Philippines	Filipino Fiancee after three weeks here wants to go home!	She's undergoing emotional breakdown and people with this decide terribly during this stage. You need not say anything or listen for anything even if she's begging to go home, just be patient and understanding. I wonder how old your fiance is, if you don't mind me asking, but begging to go home is an impulsive immature decision after everything you've done in this process!   My first few weeks was extremely difficult for me. I live in Ellsworth, Maine, absolutely NO Filipino community, nothing at all! Very different culture and most of all, language barrier (Down Eastern Mainer accents UGH terrible!). Not to mention my husband is not with me right now because he's stationed somewhere as he's in the Military! She's lucky to have you if I may say.   Try to make her feel home, cook Filipino food like Adobo or Sinigang which is the easiest. If she's Catholic, try to go to a Catholic Church there, the church would make her feel home too! And yes, enrolling her in some class is a very good way to divert her attention to avoid extreme homesickness.   I can give my number to you or I can call you, your fiance and I can talk any time. I am dying to talk in Tagalog. :-D   Good advice, my wife went through the same type of stuff. Down to the begging to go home. It was about 3 or 4 months in when it started. Lasted a long time to, for over a year she'd gets bouts of homesickness, but eventually she did get over it. She still misses home and family. Says when we return she's going to eat everything! Its not that she doesn't eat Filipino food, as that's about all we eat, but she misses the freshness of the fruits and fish. We don't have a huge Filipino community here, but its been growing pretty fast the last 5 or 6 years.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-10-24 07:32:00
Philippines	Filipino Fiancee after three weeks here wants to go home!	My wife had horrible homesickness, she still gets it after over two years. Some its easy to make the move for others its quite difficult of impossible. People come in every part of the spectrum. I've lived through many "I want to go home" tantrums and crying jags. I just try to understand and support her until she's over them. Its not easy on either side of this situation, and if you can't handle or she can't handle it, its not going to work. But if you can lend each other strength and work through it together then you can make it work. I wish you both the best and hope you can both find the strength to make it work.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-10-18 13:26:00
Philippines	Anyone Denied CFO Every Went to Other CFO?	We appreciate everyone advice and suggestions.  We won't stop, but as I said before "it is hard to change a kitten into a lion".   This counselor was very hard on my fiancée.  Not just about the age difference, but about my previous marriages.  She started out by asking her why she wanted to be with an old man? Because he's a wonderful man, and I love him  What about his other marriages--meaning that there must be something wrong with me.  We've talked about those, and I'm confident that won't be a problem. We've lived together for a year and a half and I know its a good marriage this time for him and I.   That I must be a bad or evil man.  Remember, my fiancée and I have lived together for over a year and a half, and if I really was a bad man, she would know it.   What are you going to do when he is old and sick and have to take care of him? I'll take care of him because I love him, and he means the world to me.    And more questions like this.   She started off attacking her and NEVER quit.  With the counselor's attitude and after saying that she would NEVER let her daughters be with an old man, my fiancée NEVER had a chance.   As I also said, too bad that there other options or ways to complain this type of treatment.       Not answering is where her problem came in. You've got a list of the hard questions they may throw at her again. Practice them, work on responses that feel right for her. My wife is also shy, and she got the he's divorced question. She got the he's older question, but not as large a gap as you. She got other questions that she could have viewed as being attacked, but in reality they're all just questions. There are not attacks unless you wish them to be so. Every question your wife was asked, my wife and I had talked about between each other long before we even thought about a CFO interview. The age difference of almost 17 years bothered me but didn't bother her at all. She told me if it doesn't bother her, why should it bother me? She was right and I haven't really thought twice about since. You wife doesn't need to be a lion, my wife isn't, except with family, but these are legit questions she should have already thought about and had answers for.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-10-21 08:46:00
Philippines	Anyone Denied CFO Every Went to Other CFO?	After talking more with my fiancée, I learned that she got the VERY worst kind of counselor.  A woman who thinks that she is helping or saving young women from their "mistakes".   The counselor was also a mother with daughters, and told my fiancée that she would NEVER allow her daughters to be with a old man.    I told my fiancée that she should have asked why she should be with a younger man who might lie, cheat, or abuse her when she knew how good her "old" man was after living with him for over 1 1/2 years.    Just being with someone younger doesn't mean it would be better.  Age isn't a factor in how good a person is.   She will try again, but is worried about going back to Manila CFO and having the same counselor or the counselor influencing another counselor.   It is sad that the counselors pretend or play God by deciding other people's fate or lives.  I am sure that wouldn't like someone else telling them who they could be with or where they could live.   The law states the CFO is to advise the citizen. They actually have no right to deny a citizen, but then this is the Philippines. The odds are rather slim she'll get the same person or have the same problem a second time. Advise your fiancee she has every right to get that stamp if she knows the material presented, and its also her right to tell an offensive counselor its not up to her to decide who she should love and marry, but to insure she knows what to do if things go bad.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-10-18 07:29:00
Philippines	Anyone Denied CFO Every Went to Other CFO?	If she failed once at Manila, what would be the use of going back there?  It seems like they would just fail her again.   Yes, my fiancée is shy and hesitant about speaking up or challenging someone, and she needs to do better.  But a shy person can't suddenly become assertive.   She knew going in they were going to question the age difference and that they would be negative about our relationship.  They did bully her, but you can't make a kitten into a lion.   So, I don't know what else to do.   Its not uncommon for the shy ladies to have to repeat at the CFO. Could be they get an easier less confrontational one on one, or they start to learn the subject matter better and/or answer the questions better because they've been through it before. Its hard to say why they finally get through, but they do and at the same location to. Going to Cebu isn't going to change anything any more than it was is Manila. There was a time some of the different outside groups doing the seminars had worse reputations, but now the CFO is doing them directly.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-10-17 14:06:00
Philippines	Anyone Denied CFO Every Went to Other CFO?	There have been age gaps over 50 years that have gotten through the CFO. She wasn't denied because of the age gap, she was denied because she lacked the confidence to stand up for herself and the relationship with you, regardless of the age gap. They filled her heads with doubts and she went into the one on one interview with no confidence. Or she didn't grasp the subject matter they taught her well enough. Those are the reasons someone gets denied.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-10-17 08:24:00
Philippines	Filipino Drivers License ok for Washington State ???	Similar dilemma. Valid Philippine driver's license. WA State. Would love to hear what happened.   In our case, we got married last week. But our marriage license won't be issued until after 2 weeks. We will be applying for my SSN this week in my maiden name (which I hope is okay) since we still don't have the marriage certificate and the name in my immigration docs are in my maiden name. Please do advise me otherwise.   After applying for my SSN, we'll drop by DMV (DOL) to inquire since there's one near our place.   I'll post some updates in case other VJ members would find it helpful.   In my own state, Minnesota, my wife came on a K-1, with a drivers license in the Philippines. We found getting a state ID first smoothed the to her getting a drivers license. She wasn't ready to drive on American roads, as she had only driven in Davao City and Mindanao. So before she was working she started studying the drivers manual and preparing to take the written test. When she went, she had her EAD, but they didn't even ask her for it, she just provided her State ID. Her permit had an Immigration check date on it, I never noticed it on the state ID, but I couldn't say it wasn't there. We didn't notice it on the permit either, but when she took the drivers test and got her license, she then was told about it and how we could get it removed when her green card came. It was getting the drivers license that they definitely asked to see the EAD. None of this is truly clear on the State's web site. Although they do have a list of valid proof of residency documents.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-13 11:35:00
Philippines	Filipino Drivers License ok for Washington State ???	My wife had her Philippine drivers license, but she didn't drive here until she got her permit. I know she could have drove for awhile on her Philippines license, but the rules are so vague, I didn't want us running into problems. They also now require at least the EAD to get your license in Minnesota. For CR-1's they'll accept the stamp in passport, but have no decent options for K-1s to drive quickly even if they were licensed drivers in their home country.  I recently heard some politicians in the state saying they wanted to let illegals get drivers licenses, but I'm not sure where that's going to go. I guess their point is if illegals could get licenses, they wouldn't be driving with no license and no insurance, which apparently has become a problem ever since they made proving Federal legal residency a requirement.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-08-09 11:01:00
Philippines	erasure/superimposition on affidavit of support	The K-1 affidavit of support is not an enforceable document. The one he will sign when you adjust status is. Given that is the case, they may be easy on the erasure. The worst case is they will request you send the new one before they issue the visa. Don't get too worried, you'll get through this and be together soon either way. They will not deny your over that.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-05 09:39:00
Philippines	On the Lighter side ( Is it Christmas Yet)	I always thought  it blasphemy  to put Christmas stuff out before St.Nick rode.down the Street in the Macy's parade.   And made my opinion known to stores that put Christmas stuff out in Nov.   Well guess who has a Christmas tree in His Her den as of today?   Sometimes you just got to let the  Pinoy flag fly and say what the heck..Right   Oh so funny. The Angel when in the window last weekend and the parol and tree went up yesterday at our house. I thought I did good to keep her waiting until November actually. Pinoy flag flies high in our home Mabuhay!	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-06 12:37:00
Philippines	Ki Pinay Cenomar problem	Maybe before, they could just remarry without getting an annulment but as far as I know, nobody can do that anymore as the parties are now required to submit CENOMAR..Also whether you will get marry in church or in the court you will always get Marriage Certificate..   Which I think came about because so many separated people just got married again. Still it appears easy to get around this, with fixed papers. I'm aware of a many people who have done this. As long as they keep divorce illegal and annulment so expensive, I think it will continue. And if they do actually get a near complete lock down on this, people will just live together and claim they're married.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 09:00:00
Philippines	Ki Pinay Cenomar problem	yes, correct responses, the I129f form states it is to be used by people free to marry. She hid that from me, thinking that it was maybe not recorded. Now that we know that, we have lost 7 months, over $400 and lessened my chances of approval for another 129f. Yes, she was married about 25 years ago, marriage union ended in separation, nothing was done about the legality of it, she is still married,  her husband is a bigamist.   Its very typical for couples to separate then remarry without getting an annulment in the Philippines. Nothing is generally done about it, read that as in charges of bigamy. Often those marriages are ceremony only, with no marriage certificate. The government doesn't bring charges of bigamy, the aggrieved party does, and they have to pay to prosecute the crime. Therefore is often is only brought up when there's money to made, like when one of them marries foreigner. This is the problem if she marries you after a divorce in her current country and then you two decide to go to the Philippines.    As to lessening your chances, I kind of doubt it. But you will need to request an IMBRA waiver because it would be a second I-129F within two years, if the annulment is processed that fast.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-06 14:22:00
Philippines	Ki Pinay Cenomar problem	I might be wrong about this.   BOTH of you need to be free to marry DURING the I-129F filling.    According to the line highlighted in red, she is still married as of now? Sorry, I may be confused by your wording.   You're correct. Both need to be free to marry at the time the I-129F is filed. The petition is dead, ask that the petition be withdrawn.  She's going to need to get an annulment in the Philippines or a divorce in her current country. The divorce option leaves some potentially serious complications if she ever returns to the Philippines.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-06 11:00:00
Philippines	Frauder married twice in Philippines, once in US. Who is she married to? Can she get jailed for Bigamy?	Thanks for all of the responses.  I have, for the most part, moved on.  I am happily remarried (not to a Filipina).    The reason why I am bringing this up is that, according to US Law, since she "legally" obtained the two divorces before marrying me, then our marriage was valid (in the US) and I am obligated to follow U.S family court rules and have to abide by the rules of the US.   For purposes of this discussion, it doesnt matter how or why she was able to obtain these divorces.    I am retiring from the military and US Law states that she is entitled to a percentage of my military retirement.  Now if she goes back to the Philippines, it would be as if her FIRST marriage never ended, right?  (even though that is already true in the eyes of Philippine Law)  Which would then mean our "marriage" was never legal (in the eyes of US Law)  Which means I should not be obligated to share my retirement pay with her.    Is there a clause that says if she remarries she no longer has a claim on your retirement? If so, you may be able to get a NSO copy of her marriage record, that shows her as currently married in the Philippines. She may or may not have a hard time countering that from the Philippines.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 09:35:00
Philippines	Frauder married twice in Philippines, once in US. Who is she married to? Can she get jailed for Bigamy?	Filipina's status in the US is "divorced", but in the Philippines she is still married (to guy #1).   She's married to all of them in the Philippines. The second two could annul the marriage with her because she was not single in order to get married, if they were Philippine citizens and needed to. Failure to follow the law and report the marriage abroad to the Philippine consulate, does not mean the government considers them not real. They're just not recorded. So she could just get away with getting an annulment for the first marriage.  If her first spouse was pissed, held a grudge, and had the money, he could seriously put some hurt on this woman.   But how all this affects the USC OP in the USA, her divorces were completely legal in the USA and she was free to marry him. It doesn't matter where she is in terms of her still being married to the first husband by Philippine law. They've considered that the case the entire time she was in the USA.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-06 10:39:00
Philippines	Frauder married twice in Philippines, once in US. Who is she married to? Can she get jailed for Bigamy?	Hi Folks, Very long story.  If you would like a background, go here:  http://www.visajourn...emoved-from-us/     1.  Filipina marries Filipino in Philippines. 2.  Filipina hides that marriage and marries US Citizen in the Philippines Philippine Citizen is now a bigamist by Philippine law. 3.  Filipina and US Citizen go to the US. 4.  Filipina obtains divorce from US Citizen in US (Philippine Citizen is petioner) Philippine Citizen still is considered married to two people by Philippine law 5.  Filipina obtains divorce from Philippine Citizen in US (Philippine Citizen is petioner) Philippine Citizen can only annul any marriage, still married to two people by Philippine law. 6.  Filipina marries another US Citizen Philippine Citizen is now married to three men by Philippine law. Still a bigamist 7.  US Citizen obtains divorce from Filipina Citizen (US Citizen is Petitioner) Philippine Citizen can get this divorce recognised by the courts, but she's still considered married until she does. 8.   Filipina gets deported back to the Philippines Philippine Citizen is a serial bigamist and adulterer. She may be imprisoned is someone brings charges against her.    Big question:  Who is Philippine Citizen married to, according to Philippine Law?    Even though the U.S recognizes divorce, what happens when she returns to the Philippines and she is presumably married to the first Philippine Citizen?  Does the U.S still recognize the divorce even though she is now in the Philippines?  How can they recognize Philippine Law that doesnt allow divorce and enforce a US law that does allow divorce at the same time?  US Citizen was not able to get marriage annulled why Philippine Citizen remained in the US, but since she is no longer allowed in the US, does the U.S HAVE to annul the marriage now?   Thanks! Ed         Philippines law is rather strange, in that in order to charge and convict someone of these type of crimes, the aggrieved party must make the charges and the case. This party will pay the expenses of proving the case and getting them convicted. The accused party can sit and rot in jail during this time unless they are given the opportunity to bail themselves out. The Philippines does recognize marriages in other countries, they will not recognize the divorces if brought by a Philippine Citizen. More than likely none of these USA marriages have been reported to the embassy, so proving them in the Philippines would get more difficult. This is a touch of a grey area in proving a bigamy case. In order for the marriages to be recognized, they must be reported to the consulate with jurisdiction over the territory. What is completely clear cut though, is the first marriage to the Philippine Citizen is fully valid until such time as an annulment is obtained in the Philippines.   No USC is required to get their divorce recognized by the Philippine courts. It does not matter if the Philippine citizen filed for divorce or the USC did. As long as they have the divorce papers, they are considered divorced in the Philippines. This is one of those strange but true situations of Philippine law where the Fil citizen is married, but their USC spouse is divorced from them.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-06 10:25:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	It's OK to ignore Darnell sometimes... especially if he hasn't had his Ovaltine!	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-11 16:08:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	I can understand ignoring you...........    (devil made me say it)	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-08 12:18:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	Thanks!   My husband is upset that I left understandably. His family was also insisting on me staying and just doing the AOS route but I didn't want to risk being flagged for visa fraud and getting banned and separated for YEARS from my husband and kid. He hates that I made it 10x more complicated but I just can't take the risk. And I don't want to be looked at as one of those chicks that's green card hungry. Let's admit it, southeast asian women have that stereotype.   The latest delays in the CR-1 processing is disheartening though :'(       I would not have blamed you for staying and adjusting status. You had intentions of returning and doing the K-1. Wanting your child to be born with his or her parents married is understandable.  As to a wedding the Philippines being real, you're actually married when the marriage license is signed by the officiator and the witnesses. Even when that happens 15 minutes before or after any vows are said. If your real wedding ceremony is delayed so you can have it in the Philippines, its still the real wedding ceremony to you.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-08 10:34:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	I was curious too ... I just thought then that she's an LPR.     Sis, you might have a bigger problem. I am not a pro here, and sorry to say this, but I think you have committed visa fraud. A tourist visa doesn't entitle anybody to get married at the visited country.    Maybe others that are more experienced here can give you advice on how you can go about this legally. You might have a difficult time going back to US.    She committed no fraud. It is not fraud to marry on a tourist visa while in the USA. It is fraud to come with the intent to marry and stay. But its difficult to prove intent. She on the other hand, did not stay in the USA, she returned home to follow a normal process of the CR-1, even though she still would have been entitled to stay and adjust status after she was married. I'd say getting married because you got pregnant can hardly be planned on. That's an interesting note. Thanks for correcting me, Darnell.    But normally, isn't the intent at POE for a tourist visa is just for "holiday", unless specified as "business" (B1 / B2). In what circumstance/s can a tourist visa be fine for a right to marriage?   Sorry, I have this general impression that a tourist visa for any country is very strict about their purpose of visiting. I have at least 5 tourist visas in different countries, and during application for these visas, there is no way, anybody can get through the embassy without establishing the actual purpose of the visit. And they do strict scrutiny on the submitted documents.   You can even come on a tourist visa with the intent to marry, if your intent is to return home. The border agents might not let you in for fear you're going to stay, but it is legal.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-08 09:02:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	I was actually going to do the green card thing after we report the marriage in LA. Isn't the I-1551 stamp on the passport valid for a year?   So our plan was actually to get the CR-1 rolling, use our existing Texas marriage license for the interview and the CRBA and passport application for our baby (due on April), re-enter/enter the US through LA, report the marriage at the Philippine Embassy and then have my passport updated.   I guess there really is no way around it. It's just added expenses and they ask for so many copies of the documents it's annoying. And if you mail it in it has to be notarized. Govt procedures here are so medieval lol.   The issuing of the CR-1 visa, means you will get a green card. There is an immigration fee you need to pay after the visa issuance, which failure to pay would cause your green card to be delayed, but the name the green card will come with, is the name in the passport you used when the visa is issued. The CR-1/IR-1 isn't a K-1 with an AOS application required later.    You can use the Texas marriage certificate to file, but they're more than likely going to want to see the CEMAR later in the process.    Yes all the required copies for the report of marriage contracted abroad is a pain, but the fee is only $25. Getting signed and notarized forms is going to be a pain with you two living apart to. Too bad you didn't do this before heading back to the Philippines.     Last question.   My husband and I are planning to have a civil wedding here in the Philippines too at 2015 or 2016. If I report the marriage in the US, will we still be able to have that civil wedding? Our families are of different denominations so a church wedding will just be awkward all around (and which church will we use? lol) so we thought a civil wedding is the most neutral thing we can do.   Again thanks for everyone's help!     You don't actually get married again, as you're already married. You have a second marriage ceremony without the marriage license, sometimes called a renewal of vows, or a blessing. Many people do this, but I believe its more common to have a civil ceremony and then return to have a church ceremony.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 12:23:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	I'm so confuseddddd it says marriage certificate there. What is it then? They make it so complicated   I wasn't planning on reporting our marriage to the embassy until next year when I fly back to the US since my POE is gonna be in LA and we'll be staying there for a couple of days... I thought might as well do the reporting in person and update my passport   You really should update your passport and report the marriage. Your green card will be issued in the name on your passport. I'm not sure how Texas handles changing your name after marriage, but failure to start using the married name after getting married, can mean you loose the right to use it in the future.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 11:21:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	Yes your marriage is valid in the Philippines.  Not reporting it doesn't change the reality.         it has to be reported to be properly recorded, but failing to do so doesn't make you single in the Philippines.  As to attempting to use the the Texas marriage certificate in the interview, do you really want to be delayed for months or worse yet denied because you don't have a CEMAR?	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 11:04:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	Lets us put in other situation like myself am legally married from philippines and am not legally married here in US unfortunately I was petition by my mother as LPR, single child 21 years under then during my stay and having job for more year then I went back to Philippines to pursue my studies. When at age of 21 as I remember I proposed to my only one sweetheart to be with me in my life,we get married but then went back here in US my status hasn't changed as a single, whenever there is such things like application when filling in or attached for some reason I haven't declared as a single I always put married. .for future purposes So I guess pretty the same on your be half. Infact if you're still an LPR your status as a filipino still filipino unless you naturalized then you can be a former filipino in that country.   Filipinos who become naturalized citizens in the USA, can still be Philippine Citizens, as long as they retake an oath of allegiance to the Philippines.      Republic Act No. 9225             August 29, 2003   Section 1. Short Title ? this act shall be known as the "Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003." Section 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State that all Philippine citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions of this Act. Section 3. Retention of Philippine Citizenship - Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, natural-born citizenship by reason of their naturalization as citizens of a foreign country are hereby deemed to have re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the following oath of allegiance to the Republic: "I _____________________, solemny swear (or affrim) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines; and I hereby declare that I recognize and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto; and that I imposed this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion."	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 10:44:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	ROM may have to be filed in a consulate, but one thing is for certain the marriage needs to be reported, as they have to have the CEMAR during the CR-1 process.   Yes, they certainly do need to report it for the CEMAR! I just don't want them wasting time attempting to report the marriage through the wrong venue. Or worse yet, filing the papers to only have them ignored because the venue is wrong.     Edited by Caryh, 07 November 2013 - 10:20 AM.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 10:15:00
Philippines	Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?	You will have to file your marriage in the Phils to complete the CR-1 process as they will be asking for an NSO CEMAR.   Can she even file her marriage direct in the Philippines? Filing abroad requires you to file with the consulate with authority in the place you were married. Say you marry in Australia,  but are living in Singapore, the report forms need to be filed in the proper consulate in Australia, then forwarded to the NSO. I've always presumed this was because the consulate with jurisdiction of the marriage location would best be able to judge if the marriage was completed legally and the certificate was real.   http://www.osg.gov.p...ion-of-marriage	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-07 10:02:00
Philippines	Delta airlines?	A little over two years ago Delta required the purchaser to go to an airport to confirm the credit card and the ticket purchase.	Caryh	Male	Philippines	2013-11-15 11:46:00