Single status Affidavit

[Chad&Jennylyn 0]

Hi everybody, just a quick question about the Affidavit of Single Status that I have to get from the US embassy in Manila.. Is it possible to get this document outside of the Philippines. We are planning a church wedding and the church states they need this document 2 months in advance.. It is not possible for me to travel there to get the document and then again to get married. Does any body have any experiences with getting the document outside of the Philippines..

Thank you in advance

Chad and Jheng

[Tahoma 2,292]

I wonder whether the church would waive the two-month requirement if you provided the church with an "Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry" and a small donation.

Here is what the Embassy says about the "Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry:"

GETTING MARRIED IN THE PHILIPPINES

For Filipino Translation of this page, click here.

The Philippine Government requires all foreigners to provide a "Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" from his/her embassy before filing for a marriage license. Below are the instructions for applying for the U.S. Embassy's version of that document.

Obtaining a Legal Capacity to Marry in Embassy Manila are by appointment only. Please read the rules and regulations below before booking your appointment.

____________________________

DISCLAIMER: Philippine Law requires non-Filipino citizens to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry if they wish to marry in the Philippines. U.S. Consular Officers cannot make any official certification about the status or eligibility to marry of persons residing in the United States who propose to be married abroad, or about the laws of the United States or of any of the fifty States or Territories about eligibility for marriage or the solemnization of a marriage. Instead, the U.S. Embassy provides an Affidavit In Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry. The affidavit is the only document the U.S. Embassy is able to provide. If the local registrar refuses to accept the affidavit, there is nothing that the U.S. Embassy in Manila can do. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify directly with the local registrar their requirements.

In late 2011, the U.S. Embassy learned that the following local registrars had refused to accept the Affidavit In Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry as a viable alternative to the Philippine document: Makati City, Quezon City, Davao City.

Please note that all fees paid for this notary service are non-refundable. Because U.S. Consular Officers are not in a position to respond with authority to questions involving interpretation of specific Philippine laws, such questions may best be addressed by an Attorney licensed to practice law in the Philippines. American diplomatic and consular officers do not have legal authority to perform marriages.

My link.

[edp333 9]

I do not think you will find someone who got a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry outside of the US Embassy in Manila. Make sure the church knows you are a foreigner.

From many websites on Fil marriages:

Any foreigner who wishes to marry in the Philippines is required by the Philippine Government to obtain from his/her Embassy an "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry" before filing an application for a marriage license.

I had copied a section from the same link as Tahoma from:

http://manila.usembassy.gov/marriage.html

Philippine Law requires non-Filipino citizens to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry if they wish to marry in the Philippines. U.S. Consular Officers cannot make any official certification about the status or eligibility to marry of persons residing in the United States who propose to be married abroad, or about the laws of the United States or of any of the fifty States or Territories about eligibility for marriage or the solemnization of a marriage. Instead, the U.S. Embassy provides an Affidavit In Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry. The affidavit is the only document the U.S. Embassy is able to provide.

[Tahoma 2,292]

...Yes...as Ed says...you get the "Legal capacity to Marry" document from the U.S. Embassy Manila. It costs $50 and you have to make an appointment with the Embassy.

Also, maybe you should give the church a copy of your federal income tax return or, better yet, your income tax transcript from the IRS. That would show the church that you filed as "single." Hey...it works at the CFO seminar!

And don't forget your tithing.

If none of this works, I guess you can try another church, or go with a fiancée visa.

I sure hope someone comes up with some better ideas.

[Chad&Jennylyn 0]

Thanks for the replies.. Since the churches she has looked are adamant about having that document 2 months early we are now are looking more into civil wedding or a garden type now..

Thanks..

C&J