legality of several marriages

[kirk and Jenny 0]

My fiancee's family cannot come over here for the wedding. We plan to get married here. Later, we were hoping to go back to the Philippines and get married there also, because my family can go to the Philippines. Does anyone know the legality of this?

[Arazia 0]

When you talk about marriage, I assume you're talking about the ceremony infront of your family/friends? The ceremony itself is not what matters to the U.S. Government, what matters is the legal marriage liscence. As far as I'm aware, you can get legally married here, and then have another ceremony anywhere you'd like as long as it is ceremony only (not registering the marriage again).

Of course, I'm sure there are people who know more specifics.

[Mew 0]

I'm not an expert, but I think there probably is some kind of procedure to have the marriage that will take place in the U.S. legal in the Philippines. For example, if I want the Brazilian government to acknowledge my marriage in the U.S., I have to contact the Brazilian consulate in the U.S. so there'll be a record of it in their system. So... that makes me believe that it's not okay to get married in different countries, as you'll already be married.

However, you can have a religious ceremony of some kind in the Phillipines, provided it's not a "legal" one.

Edited September 29, 2006 by Mew

[Mirorgate 0]

To satisfy the reqs of the K1 (I am guessing that is what you are working twards due to structure of query) you have to get married here in the USA within the 90 days of her being here complete with proof of said wedding (marriage cert n license copies will be sent in for AOS). US gov doesnt care about marriage there UNLESS it happens before the K1, which then you will have to switch to K3 or CR1 type visas. Get married here first, then look into the legality of what registers a marriage there for her family.

[michellek1976 0]

I was of the belief that the first marriage is the one which is considered legal and valid. I think as long as you plan to have the US wedding first on the fiance visa, the Philippines wedding would be symbolic only.

Someone who knows about the Philippines could confirm this.

[Caladan 19]

We are planning on getting married next year and then doing a second ceremony/reception in Canada in 2008 (he has about 100 people who would want to come who can't afford the flight & lodgings.) The second one won't be legal, though, just a party.

It will depend on whether a legal marriage recognized in the U.S. counts as a legal marriage in the Phillipines. (I think marriage is usually reciprocal: if you're married in country A, country B will usually treat you as married.) Check with the consulate in Manila?

[kirk and Jenny 0]

Thanks for the input. I am trying to research it out. It is a hard one to search. Searching "two marriages same person" keeps popping up "same sex marriages" which does not help me at all.

[Mew 0]

They do ask both the petitioner or the beneficiary whether they're free to marry when we file, right? And so we have to send divorce/annulment decrees - or even proof that one's single - to that effect. That, to me, is another hint that it's not okay to marry twice, no matter where.

[filipina616 0]

My fiancee's family cannot come over here for the wedding. We plan to get married here. Later, we were hoping to go back to the Philippines and get married there also, because my family can go to the Philippines. Does anyone know the legality of this?

that is our plan too, as long as we finished my paperworks. i am from the philippines too, kindly email me dude heheheh.

[john_and_marlene 162]

This may be an obstacle for you.

Philippine law requires a citizen or subject of a foreign country to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage. It is issued by the diplomatic or consular offices of his or her country, prior to the issuance of a marriage license in the Philippines. This serves as a clearance or permit from the consul as an actual proof of the subject’s civil status and his/her eligibility for marriage.

http://www.gov.ph/faqs/marriage.asp

[filipina616 0]

My fiancee's family cannot come over here for the wedding. We plan to get married here. Later, we were hoping to go back to the Philippines and get married there also, because my family can go to the Philippines. Does anyone know the legality of this?

We are on the same situation by now, wanting to marry in the philippines, same reason too heheheh, so pm me ok. thanks

[zyggy 9]

You can have as many wedding ceremonies as you want...

You can only have 1 legal marriage...

So you can only get the license once... and have one marrige certificate. but can do the wedding ceremony as many time as you wish..

[payxibka 10,047]

You can have as many wedding ceremonies as you want...

You can only have 1 legal marriage...

So you can only get the license once... and have one marrige certificate. but can do the wedding ceremony as many time as you wish..

Are we using marriage and wedding/ceremony synonomously? A marriage is a legal and binding contract so to speak. Anna Nicole Smith exchanged non-binding vows with her lawyer today. A ceremony but not a legal binding marriage because no certificate/contract was signed.

[mawilson 2,133]

It wouldn't be polygamy if you're married to the same person multiple times.

[kirk and Jenny 0]

It seems like the best route is to have two ceremonies. Thanks for your help, all.