Some K1 Q's: Military member currently in Germany w/ Fiancee in Philippines

[Scott and Mhay 57]

They didnt ask for the marriage abroad thing from the commander. They just asked if i was military and I told them yes. That was all that was asked. If it would make you feel better by all means bring a letter from the commander, but that never came up when I went to the embassy for the affidavit.

[A&M-Forever 0]

Thanks again for the quick reply Scott....

I will indeed bring one just to be on the safe side...

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yeah it isnt that hard to get...I just had my Force Protection Plan with me which the commander signed off on...my reason to visit the philippines....to get married to my wife. I figured that would be enough to show the military knew about it and the commander had to sign off on the FPP. Dont know if you have to do one of those...supposidly it is all military, but it just seems to be a PACAF requirements to visit PACOM. Good luck on the wedding!

[A&M-Forever 0]

Well, I'm researching the whole "Commanders approval to marry abroad" approval letter thing and now I getting scared...

It seems that they might require;

A.) a background/security investigation on her

B.) A medical exam

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/afi36-2609.pdf

So, color me confused....I'm now I'm afraid to even ask my First Sergeant/CC or my Legal Office for guidance as I'm afraid they'll require me to do all this...which can take months just to get the Military approval (Background investigation and Med. Exam) completed. If this is really what has to happen...i think the K-1 Visa would be the better way to go...seems quicker...

Or, do I risk not getting this approval and seeing what happens...? My friend here in Germany (as well as you Scott) say I don't need this...EVERYTHING I read tells me I do. Help!

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yeah I read that in the AFI and it scared me off. I think the rule about having commander's approval was originally for people stationed in country (even though on the embassy's site it says no matter where you are stationed). I was a little worried about the embassy asking for the military approval letter at the time too..that would have been the only hold-up. The whole thing with the visa process...there will be a background check done on her along with a medical. (you could tell the shirt about that too...a lot of times they don't know it) I personally rolled the dice and won on this one.

In the end, it is your decision to get the letter or not. I think the military would be more concerned with you marrying someone from the middle east than from the PI. I know we are supposed to have special clearance to go to the more remote places in the PI....not that I have gone, but I was never asked about approval for travel to the PI (once going to the airport)....I just used my civilian passport and kept my military ID in the back of my wallet. If I was ever asked to show proof I was on leave.(which NEVER happened even when I was talking to retired military in Subic) I had it with me, but they dont seem to care about that.

Shoot, there were a couple of military guys with me in the embassy (I didnt know it until we went to give the info for the affidavit). They werent asked for anything but if they were in the military...one guy was active duty at Elmendorf and another was retired. I know you wouldnt want anything to hold you up, but it doesnt seem to be an issue like they make it sound.

Worst case senario...you come back and file the K-1...but I dont think that will be a problem. At least you can fill out all your paperwork for either visa and have your fiancee/wife sign it so you can send it in when you get back...actually you would be DCF right? Or would it just be military expedite through the whole process?

Edited April 25, 2010 by Scott and Mhay

[Tahoma 2,292]

1) Marriage License application: I read where 'in some cases' she can apply for the marriage license application at the local civil registrar BEFORE I get there. We would like to do/try this...as I am fairly low on available leave/vacation days I have from my job...we would like to get this ahead of time to eliminate the need for us to wait the required 10 days after I get there. is this indeed possible? Has anyone tried/done this? What I read said we could do this, and then I would just need to get the 'Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry' at the US embassy in Manila - once I arrive in June. Then we take thatto the same place she applied for the marriage license where they should hand us our approved marriage license immediately.

Like Scott said, I seem to remember a thread here where someone found a way to speed up the marriage license process. I searched for the thread but couldn't find it. You might want to start a new topic about this issue.

2) Since we plan (or are required) to apply for the Marriage License in her home Province (Davao/Tagum City), must we get married there in the same Province....or are we allowed/able to travel to Manila for the wedding...or perhaps even Boracay (we both love it there!)? Or must it be completed in davao/Tagum.

I believe this question also would get an answer if you started a new topic.

By the way, I hear that weddings at Friday's are fabulous. My wife and I loved Boracay too. We stayed 12 days at Friday's Resort and highly recommend it for the perfect romantic honeymoon.

3) What can she do now to help us ensure a June wedding happens?

I'm thinking:

CENOMAR

Birth Certificate

Baptismal Certificate

Passport Photos (2x2 w/ White background)

Get a Passport for her 3yo daughter

Passport Photos (2x2 w/ White background) for her daughter

CFO seminar (return after marriage for stamp/sticker)

We don't know at this time if we would like a church wedding or a civil wedding...would love to hear your experiences on both!

My wife and I are K-1ers, so we are not very familiar with the differences between a church wedding and a civil wedding in the Philippines other than by what we read here on VJ, but I'm sure if you started a new topic that you would get the answers you needed.

Thanks again everyone!

Walang anuman.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Worst case senario...you come back and file the K-1...but I dont think that will be a problem. At least you can fill out all your paperwork for either visa and have your fiancee/wife sign it so you can send it in when you get back...actually you would be DCF right? Or would it just be military expedite through the whole process?

[Filipinawife0210 15]

You'll be pushing it with 14 days in country. It takes 10 days to get the marriage license from City Hall. I had 16 days in country. It took all of the ten days to get the license, and I had to leave 3 days after the wedding. It also takes 90 days to get the official NSO certificate of marriage. You can get a certified xerox copy which will suffice for the I-130 petition. As stated above, they will need your Affidavit in lieu of Legal Capacity to Marry and your passport to file for the marriage license. Expect at least 2 to 3 hours in the Embassy. I'll tell you right now, when you enter the Embassy, you are going to go straight down the main hallway, and take the last left. You'll enter a huge room...to the right of the glass windows, there is another hallway, go down this hallway into the back room, and on your right, take a red number. Wait for your number to be called, and follow the COs instructions....it can get confusing in the Embassy...but just follow the instructions, and you'll be fine. They only do the Affidavits from 7-11 am, so plan ahead!

You should be able to have your wedding in Manila. She can ask the Registrar in Davao, they should be able to provide the right answer.

My wife and I had a civil marriage. It went very well. The minister that performed the ceremony was very kind, and helped me out by doing a mixed Tagalog/English ceremony. We married in Quezon City. The reception was cheap by US standards, but we had a blast!

As for the letter of Approval...I didn't get one. I'm stationed in the States though. I know that just to go over there requires a ton of paperwork. PACAF is #######. All I had to do here, was get a country specific brief from OSI. There is a website for military international travel requirements....not sure of the link right now, but I will forward it to your message box when I find it.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Filipinawife0210 15]

They didnt ask for the marriage abroad thing from the commander. They just asked if i was military and I told them yes. That was all that was asked. If it would make you feel better by all means bring a letter from the commander, but that never came up when I went to the embassy for the affidavit.

Yeah, the Embassy doesn't give one iota if you have approval from your commander. The reason for the approval notice is for accountability, and to make sure that we don't give away any national secrets. Depending on which MDS you work, you have to report all of this info to your Security manager as well, especially if you are ono the SAR program for the F-22. Went through that ####### at Nellis.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

Here you go.....

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yeah I had to report it to my security clearance..our security manager is #######, but he is civilian in my squadron. I am doing my 10 year renewal now and they want to talk to me, but havent called yet.

Try this link for military travel to the PI:

https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

It is only restricted from Mindanao. This is what it says from a military standpoint. You can look at it here: https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

If you go to Mindanao, you need an O-7 to sign off on it. This site was last updated on 7 Dec 09….just thought you would like the info.

B. LEAVE REQUIREMENTS

NOTE : Effective Immediately CDR USPACOM restricts unofficial travel for DoD military personnel traveling to the following areas in the Philippines due to current security concerns: Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Exceptions to this restriction for any travel to the Philippines must be certified mission essential by the requestor's chain of command and requires Antiterrorism (AT) Plan Approval by a General Officer (GO)/Flag Officer (FO)/Civilian Senior Executive Service (SES) in the traveler's/deployed unit's chain of command. Upon certification of travel and at plan approval, traveler(s) should then request exception to this travel restriction from USPACOM Chief of Staff (J02) via a Theater Clearance request in the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS).

Personnel on leave status do not have legal protection under the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Passport required for military and civilian personnel, eligible family members, and third-country nationals. Passport must be valid for six (6) months beyond date of entry.

Visa required for all military members, DoD civilians, and eligible family members, regardless of nationality.

For stays of 21 days or less , Philippine immigration authorities issue an entry visa valid for 21 days to individuals who arrive without a visa.

For stays of more than 21 days, obtain a visa prior to arrival or apply for an extension of the 21-day entry visa at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation's main office at Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, or at one of the provincial offices (http://www.immigration.gov.ph/).

Persons who overstay their visas are subject to fines and detention by Philippine immigration authorities. American citizens are urged to remain aware of their visa status while in the Philippines and to strictly follow immigration laws and regulations.

Visa not required for stays of one (1) year or less for former Philippine citizens, their foreign spouses, and foreign minor unmarried children, provided that they are nationals of certain countries (US included) and they are traveling together with the Philippine citizen. Visit http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org for additional information on this Balikbayan Visa Privilege.

Military and civilian personnel, eligible family members, and third-country nationals: See I.A.4, above.

A return ticket or an onward ticket is required.

Space-A travel is only authorized to the three following airports: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (RPLL); Subic Bay International Airport (RPLB) and Diosdado Macapagal Internation Airport (also known as Clark International Airport) (RPLC). Refer to Section II.F.8, below.

Personnel Clearance requirements for leave travel: Once the APACS request has been submitted, Country clearance is approved unless otherwise notified and Theater clearance is not required unless traveling to a restricted area (Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago, and tours with armed guards) of the Philippines.

Country Clearance is required for active-duty military personnel.

(1) Request Country Clearance from USPACOM REP PHILIPPINES MANILA RP.

(2) Travelers may assume Country Clearance unless otherwise notified.

Theater Clearance is required for leave travel by active-duty military personnel to any of the following areas, where CDR USPACOM restricts travel.

(1) Restricted-travel areas:

· Mindanao.

· The Sulu Archipelago

· In addition, USPACOM prohibits participation in any tours that require armed guards or escorts for protection.

(2) Note that Theater Clearance is not required for leave travel to any other part of the Philippines.

(3) Request Theater Clearance to visit the restricted areas listed above from HQ USPACOM J02.

(4) Do not assume Theater Clearance to a restricted travel area of the Philippines. In no case may any active-duty military personnel enter the restricted area (see I.B.6.b.(1), above) of the Philippines until Theater Clearance is granted. Theater clearance is not required to the non-restricted areas of the Philippines.

(5) Although Theater Clearance is not required for leave travel by DoD Civilians and family members of military personnel or DoD civilians, they are highly encouraged to adhere to USPACOM's anti-terrorism policy and procedures for their own safety and security.

(6) For a listing of all current USPACOM restricted areas by country, refer to http://psp-usa.hq.pacom.smil.mil/orgareas/J3/J34/J343/Travel%20Requirements/Pages/default.aspx on the SIPRNet. Use http://www.pacom.mil/web/Site_Pages/Staff%20Directory/J3/J34%20-%20ATCIP.shtml on the NIPRNet (click on USPACOM Country Information) for terrorism, criminal threat levels, the FPCONs by country, and requirements for each country in the PACOM AOR.

(7) Notification of whether the Theater Clearance request has been approved or denied for travel to a USPACOM travel-restricted country and/or area will appear in APACS. It will also appear at the HQ USPACOM J02 website, http://psp.hq.pacom.smil.mil/C18/J02/default.aspx. On the USPACOM J02 SIPRNET website, click on Theater Clearance Request Status (restricted areas only) on the SIPRNET website. J02 will post the notification as soon as it is available.

Lead-time if clearance is required:

(1) 15 days prior to the intended travel date unless the request is for emergency leave.

(2) Emergency leave: If requesting clearance for emergency leave, follow the short-notice procedures below:

(a) Submit a request message for leave travel as soon as possible.

(b) Assume clearance immediately after transmitting the message unless otherwise notified. Depart immediately if necessary.

© Refer to the HQ USPACOM web page for current travel restrictions, advisories, and threat level.

All personnel must adhere to CDR USPACOM’s Buddy Rule when traveling on leave to any restricted area within the Philippines.

(1) For what constitutes a qualified buddy, see III.A.6.a.(4), below.

(2) After selecting a qualified person to meet or escort the traveler, include the buddy’s name, rank, title, and phone number in paragraph 7 of the Leave Clearance Request.

(3) To waive the Buddy Rule, the waiver must be approved by the first flag officer or civilian equivalent in the traveler’s chain of command. If the waiver is approved, include the waiver statement specified under I.B.6.f.(3).(a).(iv), below, in paragraph 7 of the Leave Clearance Request.

APACS (the Automated Personnel and Aircraft Clearance System) is mandatory for submitting leave clearance requests and receiving approvals. Log onto the website at https://apacs.dtic.mil to create an account, and then create and submit a clearance request. Training materials, documentation, and contact information are available on the website.

Leave travelers preparing a Travel Clearance Request in APACS should follow the same APACS procedures as official travelers, with the following exceptions:

(1) On the “Main” tab:

a. (a) For type of travel, select "Leave Travel". Examples of acceptable travel purposes for leave travel: death or illness in family (state relationship), marriage, adoption, visit to relative (state relationship), and vacation. (If traveling with a tour, provide name of tour group. If not, write "Individual travel.") Purpose of travel should be entered into the Notes field.

b. (b) If emergency leave, so state in the field labeled “If Lead-Time Requirement is not met…”

(2) On the “Traveler” tab, in the “Notes” field:

(a) Enter the traveler’s passport number, and if not a US passport, the country that issued it.

(b) If the traveler is an eligible family member, state that person’s relationship to the primary traveler/sponsor.

(3) On the “Itinerary” tab, under “Country Information”:

(a) Enter the following information in the “Theater Specific Information” field if intending to visit any area where USPACOM restricts travel:

(i) A statement that the traveler intends to visit one or more restricted area(s) naming the restricted area(s) to be visited.

(ii) Name and rank of the authority who has approved the Antiterrorism Plan.

(iii) Reason(s) that the travel is essential.

(iv) Name, rank, title and phone number of the qualified buddy chosen to meet or escort the traveler in accordance with the CDR USPACOM Buddy Rule. If the traveler has obtained a waiver of the Buddy Rule, include the following statement: “IAW the USPACOM buddy travel policy, the first general or flag officer (O-7) or civilian equivalent in my chain of command, [insert commander’s name and rank], waives the two-person travel requirement for the following reason: [insert here a descriptive justification for waiving the buddy rule].”

(b) Enter the following information in the “Country Specific Information” field:

(i) Visa information (if applicable) for the primary traveler/sponsor and each additional traveler.

(ii) A specific leave address in the Philippines and telephone number(s) in the Philippines where the primary traveler/sponsor can be contacted.

(iii) A point of contact for the primary traveler's command, with commercial telephone and fax numbers.

(iv) A statement that the primary traveler will receive a current location-specific threat and intelligence assessment within ten (10) days of travel.

(v) A statement that the primary traveler has completed an Antiterrorism Plan, gotten it signed by the appropriate authority, and ensured that it is thoroughly understood (for details, see III.A.6.a.3, below). Also, state the name and rank of the authority who has approved the Antiterrorism Plan.

(vi) For emergency leave, include a statement from the primary traveler’s command verifying that it has authorized emergency leave.

(4) On the “Itinerary” tab, under “Details,” enter the following information in the “Notes” field:

(a) Flight information.

(b) Locations to be visited within country.

© Mode(s) of travel between locations to be visited.

(5) On the “Itinerary” tab, under “Leave Destination,” enter the following information for each location to be visited in country:

(a) In the “Lodging Name/Description” field, enter the words “Leave Travel.”

(b) In the “Lodging Address” field, enter the address of the person to be visited. If staying in a hotel, enter the hotel address.

© In the “POC Name” field, enter the name of the person to be visited and that person’s relationship to the primary traveler. If staying in a hotel, enter the hotel name.

(d) In the “COMM Phone” field, enter the phone number of the person to be visited. If staying in a hotel, enter the hotel phone number.

(6) On the "Traveler POC" tab, enter information for a POC at the requestor's unit. That person must be someone other than the requestor.

Requirements to register with the US Embassy.

Defense Intelligence Agency personnel transiting the Philippines in any unofficial or official status must notify USDAO Manila by classified e-mail to DAOMANILA@dia.smil.mil or by unclassified e-mail to daomanila@state.gov or by message.

For information on registration, see IV.B.1, below.

[A&M-Forever 0]

Well, since she is from Davao/Tagum City (Mindanao)...it looks like we won't be able to have the wedding there....at least not without jumping through hoops anyway. Or am I completely misreading everything regarding the travel clearance requirements? And from what I'm reading, to even get approved it has to be MISSION ESSENTIAL.....so I don't think a wedding or getting married would even qualify.

I've only been to Manila and Boracay in the past...and we had planned on doing everything in Tagum City regarding the wedding, which we have tentatively planned for mid-June.

Should I just forget getting married in Tagum and focus on Boracay or Manila?

I think I asked before.....but once we have the marriage license (say from Manila) can we then take it to Boracay for the ceremony? I thought I read where we had to apply at her civil registrar (which is in Tagum City)...meaning I would have to go there, as they already told her that she can't apply without me being there in person.

Good times...Good times!

[A&M-Forever 0]

BTW: Here is our plan for June....well, the Tagum City plan anyway.....so I may have to revise this if I don't risk it and go to Mindanao anyway...without any approval to do so

31 May PM: I fly from Germany

01 June AM: I arrive Manila

01 June AM: A fly's from Davao to Manila - Meet me in Terminal 1

01 June PM: Need Manila Hotel for 1 night

02 June AM: Go to US Embassy - Get Affidavit of Legal Capacity to Marry ($30 USD)

02 June PM: We both fly to Davao

02 June PM: Need Davao Hotel for 1 night

03 June AM: Go to Civil Registrar in Tagum City to apply for Marriage License

03 June PM to 08 June AM: Need Tagum City Hotel; Confirm wedding w/ Judge; Setup Location and Celebration of our marriage if not already completed

08 June AM: We both fly from Davao to Manila

08 June PM to 15 June AM: Use already paid for Hotel (Pan Pacific) - A needs to do CFO Seminar during this time in Manila (return after wedding for stamp/sticker)

14 June: Philippines Holiday (All Embassy/Govt services closed)

15 June AM: We both fly from Manila to Davao; Go to Civil Registrar in Tagum City to get our Marriage License (waited 12 days)

16 June PM: Wedding/Celebration @ TBD

17 June AM: We both fly to Manila for short Honeymoon...need Hotel for 2 nights; A needs to get CFO stamp/sticker, must do this on 17 or 18 June!

19 June PM: I fly to Germany w/ A's Passport

19 June PM: A fly's to Davao

20 June AM: I arrive in Germany

21 June AM: I start the I-130 Visa paperwork w/ US Embassy in Frankfurt and start processing the SOFA Stamp and Command Sponsorship stuff...

SEP/OCT: ~90 days later: A arrives in Germany!!!!!

What am I missing ?

Edited April 26, 2010 by A&M-Forever

[Filipinawife0210 15]

She won't need the CFO until she is approved for the visa.....

[Scott and Mhay 57]

FWIW Davao is a lot safer than the parts of Mindanao that they are talking about (although technically is all the same though). I know some guys that go to Mindanao and they always just say they are going to Manila. Of course, if something happened while you were there...you would be SOL. Basically you have to get your first O-7 to sign off on it if you want to do it all correctly. BUT my buddy is in Germany too and at first he thought he didnt have to get clearance to go to the PI...but they told him he did....then in the end he didnt. It depends on how by the book your base is. Of course you will have to put a leave address and contact information. I know here at Eielson I needed my commander to sign off on my leave because it was to an overseas location AND I took 30 days.

I did not register on that site though...right or wrong...I dont know, but I did have an approved Force Protection Plan.