Getting married in Manila

[LiveLaughLove 2]

Your certified divorce decree/documents should not have to "authenticated" by the Philippine consulate unless your previous marriage was entered into in the Philippines. Philippines marriages that are ended by divorce in a foreign country have to be "authenticated" and registered as such in the Philippines.

At least that's the way I understand it.

George

I was thinking along the same lines. Thank you for responding.

[moonandsun 16]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and seeking some of your experiences with applying for a marriage license in Manila.

I made an appointment with the US Embassy in Manila for Affidavit to Contract Marriage. The lady I spoke with at the US Embassy provided me with the requirements in obtaining this affidavit. She was kind enough to provide additional details that in applying for a marriage license in Manila, my divorce papers need to be "authenticated" by the Philippine Consulate before city hall will accept my marriage license application. How true is this? She did reiterate that this is NOT a requirement of the US Embassy.

I've conducted several searches and am unable to validate this. I'm leaving for Manila next week and my divorce papers are certified original documents. Has anyone encountered this situation? I'd appreciate your responses.

Thank you all!

Don't forget to get your CENOMAR while in Manila. And better bring a wad of cash. It helps with the process.

[LiveLaughLove 2]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and responses!

I spoke to my fiance earlier today and he said not to worry about the "unauthenticated" paperwork or marriage license application, etc. Documents I'm currently holding are sufficient. Thank goodness!

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Don't forget to get your CENOMAR while in Manila. And better bring a wad of cash. It helps with the process.

What!?!?

CENOMAR is only for the Philippine Citizen. The affidavit from USEM in Manila is sufficient for USC.

@OP, why are you not getting married in the city where your beloved lives? Local Civil Registries are much easier to deal with (and a lot cheaper on the bribes).

[Atencio 43]

What!?!?

CENOMAR is only for the Philippine Citizen. The affidavit from USEM in Manila is sufficient for USC.

It may be all that USC requires but I had to have a CENOMAR in order to get my marriage license in my wife's city. I asked her brother why (He is a manager for NSO)and he said to make sure the foreigner has not been married in the Philippines before. He recently handled a case where an American had five marriages in the Philippines before.

[LiveLaughLove 2]

What!?!?

CENOMAR is only for the Philippine Citizen. The affidavit from USEM in Manila is sufficient for USC.

@OP, why are you not getting married in the city where your beloved lives? Local Civil Registries are much easier to deal with (and a lot cheaper on the bribes).

I was born and raised in the Philippines and migrated to USA 2 decades ago and haven't been back since. The peace and order situation is not stable and therefore, he suggested that I remain in Manila. Everything is now in order.

[LiveLaughLove 2]

**Update**

I'm now back in the USA, married and working on getting documents ready for CR1 submission.

Thank you for all your help in getting me started prior to my departure to Manila.

Everything went well and can't wait for my hubby to join me. Based on what I've read in here, it's a long and tedious journey.

At the USEM in Manila, they did not require authenticated (meaning validated by Philippine Consulate) divorce decree. The consul simply reviewed the certified copy (no xerox copy was retained by USEM either). Consul (she) asked how I met my fiance and I didn't realize our entire conversation could be heard by those in the waiting room.

Again, thank you for all your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions regarding CR1.

Edited February 12, 2011 by sweetheart428

[George & Gina 29]

**Update**

I'm now back in the USA, married and working on getting documents ready for CR1 submission.

Thank you for all your help in getting me started prior to my departure to Manila.

Everything went well and can't wait for my hubby to join me. Based on what I've read in here, it's a long and tedious journey.

At the USEM in Manila, they did not require authenticated (meaning validated by Philippine Consulate) divorce decree. The consul simply reviewed the certified copy (no xerox copy was retained by USEM either). Consul (she) asked how I met my fiance and I didn't realize our entire conversation could be heard by those in the waiting room.

Again, thank you for all your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions regarding CR1.

Congratulations and Good Luck!!! Be sure to read the guides here in regards to submitting your petition and be sure to ask questions when you're not sure.

George

[abbielovesjeremy 5]

When my hubby got his affidavit of legal capacity to marry at the US embassy he only showed them a certified copy of his divorce decree. We also submitted that when we applied for a marriage license. I would suggest to just get a marriage license from your hubby's hometown, or where is currently residing. After that you can use that license to marry anywhere in the Philippines you like. Oh and stay away from fixers. Do these things by yourselves. When I was asking around I was told I need about 25k pesos to get a license and the judge will officiate our wedding. I thought that was ridiculous. Civil registry staff tend to do that especially if they find out that the Filipino/Filipina is marrying a foreigner. That was in Quezon City City Hall. I got my license in Calamba, Laguna. I didn't have any problems there. No "fixing" and trying to get us to pay more.

I also found out from a Quezon City judge herself that judges shouldn't get extra fee for officiating a marriage. That 25k pesos "fee" I mentioned to her, she was like NOOOOO. The judge is a family friend. In the end we chose to get married by a pastor.

[abbielovesjeremy 5]

**Update**

I'm now back in the USA, married and working on getting documents ready for CR1 submission.

Thank you for all your help in getting me started prior to my departure to Manila.

Everything went well and can't wait for my hubby to join me. Based on what I've read in here, it's a long and tedious journey.

At the USEM in Manila, they did not require authenticated (meaning validated by Philippine Consulate) divorce decree. The consul simply reviewed the certified copy (no xerox copy was retained by USEM either). Consul (she) asked how I met my fiance and I didn't realize our entire conversation could be heard by those in the waiting room.

Again, thank you for all your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions regarding CR1.

Goodluck to you!!! It's a long journey but well worth it.

[ivantulier 1]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and seeking some of your experiences with applying for a marriage license in Manila.

I made an appointment with the US Embassy in Manila for Affidavit to Contract Marriage. The lady I spoke with at the US Embassy provided me with the requirements in obtaining this affidavit. She was kind enough to provide additional details that in applying for a marriage license in Manila, my divorce papers need to be "authenticated" by the Philippine Consulate before city hall will accept my marriage license application. How true is this? She did reiterate that this is NOT a requirement of the US Embassy.

I've conducted several searches and am unable to validate this. I'm leaving for Manila next week and my divorce papers are certified original documents. Has anyone encountered this situation? I'd appreciate your responses.

Thank you all!

I never had to take my divorce papers to be authenticated to the philippine consulate. Make sure you make a copy of the divorce papers so you can exchange for your orginal since you will need to have your orginal divorce papers for your wife to be when she has her interview in the future.