Dual Citizenship, marriage and baby ^_^

[reginakrys 33]

:D Thanks so much for replying!! As for me entering the Philippines, I know before I went here I was already dual citizen in the US. My father file for it before i came back here, but when i travel to go to Philippines I remember i used my U.S passport ( does that mean i enter the Philippines as a US citizen?)

Another question: What would constitute parental advice? The US embassy requires people up to age 24 to have parental advice prior to marrying? Does it mean I have to present an evidence to prove that I received parental advice like a written consent? Thank you.

If you plan to marry here in the Philippines, and apply for a marriage license with American as your citizenship, you won't need a parental advice/consent.

This is what my husband did. We were both 22 when we got married, he "applied as an American", he wasn't required to present parental advice/consent, but I was.

[Mark and Rassel 9]

When you get your 'CENOMAR' you go to the US Embassy in Manila and swear an oath and get a certificate.

^^^ I don't understand what you are saying. Why would Bitsu need a CENOMAR? Why would Bitsu then need to go to the Embassy and swear an oath? An oath to what? What certificate are you referring to? Are you referring to the "Affidavit in Lieu of Legal Capacity to Marry?"

>>>> Technically, it is not a CENOMAR that I received. As I'm sure you are aware, each state in the U.S. is responsible for administering its own marriage laws. No U.S. equivalent of a CENOMAR exists. The legally acceptable solution is to get a document that the RP accepts as its equivalent (its official name escapes me, but I called it a CENOMAR when I was there). She would go to the U.S. embassy for the same reason I did, because Philippine law required me to do so. RP law requires that I have the legal capacity to marry - there's no way around it. The process for me was very simple. I went to the embassy with my divorce papers, passport and other ID and swore an oath that i was telling the truth and then I received the U.S. equivalent of a CENOMAR. This then allowed my fiancé and I to be issued a pre-marriage certificate. Did you enter the Philippines as a US citizen? If not, leave and re-enter the country before you start your marriage process and re-enter as a U.S. citizen.

^^^ Why are you recommending that Bitsu reenter the Philippines on her U.S. passport? What difference would it make?

>>>> Perhaps none at all. To be absolutely sure that she can receive the benefits of a U.S. citizen she should present herself as one. The way to present herself as one is to travel as one. She would receive the various stamps and etc from the RP customs showing that she traveled as a U.S. Citizen and therefore she could repeat the same successes I did. If she travels as an RP citizen, her road to success would be different from mine. An easy and relatively expensive insurance; just pick the cheapest international destination she can find and book a round trip, spend the night and return. Get the in-bound stamps on her passport and she's good to go.

I'd certainly get an appointment with the US embassy in Manila and talk to your fellow countrymen about what you are doing and its possible citizenship ramifications.

^^^ Unnecessary. Bitsu's citizenship is not going to be affected by getting married in the Philippines.

>>>> Perhaps you are right. Can you share your direct experience in this matter or the basis for which you formulate this as fact? My expertise is in a different field, and I can only relate my experiences as an American Citizen. The various nuances that might (or might not) be present seem to demand the opinion of an expert. As a U.S. citizen, she would be able to avail herself of this expertise via phone call or in-person consultation. I would most certainly talk to them, it costs nothing and she'd have nothing to lose.

The only rule change that I can think of is that (god forbid), your marriage fails. Then you'd have to renounce your Philippine Citizenship in the US and file for divorce in the US in order to finalize it . . . even that I'm not sure of though . . .

^^^ Nonsense!

>>>> Yeah, divorce sucks for sure. Nothing I'd recommend. The legal nuances of marriage and dual citizenship is something that I'm not familiar with. I would certainly find out my options if such a thing were to occur. What is your experience in this matter?

You seem quite knowledgeable about these matters, can you share your direct experiences? I'm sure you would have much to contribute to this conversation in a positive way, I'm anxious to read what you've done.

Warm Regards,

Mark

[Mark and Rassel 9]

:D Thanks so much for replying!! As for me entering the Philippines, I know before I went here I was already dual citizen in the US. My father file for it before i came back here, but when i travel to go to Philippines I remember i used my U.S passport ( does that mean i enter the Philippines as a US citizen?)

Another question: What would constitute parental advice? The US embassy requires people up to age 24 to have parental advice prior to marrying? Does it mean I have to present an evidence to prove that I received parental advice like a written consent? Thank you.

Bitsu,

You are welcome! Oh, and congrats on the little one! Dad must be excited! Initially, we supplied her parents with a parental advice form from Iloilo City and they filled it out for us. When we took this form to the city to get our pre-marital certificate - they refused it! They did so on the grounds that that her parents local gov't entity must be the one that issues the form! Sheesh! Well we got the local BRGY/City version in her hometown of the form and had them re-fill it out and gave it to the Iloilo City as requested and then received our pre-marital certificate - wahoo! So make sure your fiancé's parents are the ones that get the form from their local BRGY/city government office and have them fill that one out. If I remember correctly, this form was also stamped by the BRGY/city government after they filled it out. This is, I suppose, a way to minimize fraud? Not sure.

Look at your US passport. Does it have an inbound stamp from the RP? If not, get one by traveling out and back in. As someone else stated earlier, since you are an American Citizen of adult age (more than 17 years of age) you do not require a parental advice form. If your fiancé is of sufficiently advanced age, neither does he (is that 25? not sure - I'd check to make sure) Just one less thing to do during a stress period of your life . . . .

Her's a few links:

How to get the "American CENOMAR"

Travel Advisory for U.S. Citizens

Laws and Requirements for Marriage in the Philippines I really like site . . . great info for non-natives and RP citizens alike . . .

Good Luck!

Mark

Edited June 25, 2012 by Mark and Rassel

[reginakrys 33]

Oh yeah, if your fiance needs parental consent, you might have to bring his parents to your local city health office. The city health office in Cebu required my parents to appear in person and sign the parental consent form in front of an attorney. Oh, and they asked for valid ID's from each of my parents. I'm not sure if it works the same in every city.

[Caryh 5,206]

Bitsu,

You are welcome! Oh, and congrats on the little one! Dad must be excited! Initially, we supplied her parents with a parental advice form from Iloilo City and they filled it out for us. When we took this form to the city to get our pre-marital certificate - they refused it! They did so on the grounds that that her parents local gov't entity must be the one that issues the form! Sheesh! Well we got the local BRGY/City version in her hometown of the form and had them re-fill it out and gave it to the Iloilo City as requested and then received our pre-marital certificate - wahoo! So make sure your fiancé's parents are the ones that get the form from their local BRGY/city government office and have them fill that one out. If I remember correctly, this form was also stamped by the BRGY/city government after they filled it out. This is, I suppose, a way to minimize fraud? Not sure.

Look at your US passport. Does it have an inbound stamp from the RP? If not, get one by traveling out and back in. As someone else stated earlier, since you are an American Citizen of adult age (more than 17 years of age) you do not require a parental advice form. If your fiancé is of sufficiently advanced age, neither does he (is that 25? not sure - I'd check to make sure) Just one less thing to do during a stress period of your life . . . .

Her's a few links:

How to get the "American CENOMAR"

Travel Advisory for U.S. Citizens

Laws and Requirements for Marriage in the Philippines I really like site . . . great info for non-natives and RP citizens alike . . .

Good Luck!

Mark

Philippines law requires Philippines citizens to enter and exit the country using their Philippines passport. Just as the USA requires its citizens to enter the USA using a USA passport. If she's not taking advantage of her Philippines citizenship, she would have been limited as a USA tourist, and had a much shorter stay than it sounds like she has had. Unless she entered with her Philippine citizen parent, where she could have taken advantage of the Balikbayan privilege and stayed for one year on a USA passport. That said, what she does in country in regards marrying is not dependent on how she entered the country. She can get the capacity to marry from the embassy like any other USA citizen, again it doesn't matter how she entered the country.

[Caryh 5,206]

Oh yeah, if your fiance needs parental consent, you might have to bring his parents to your local city health office. The city health office in Cebu required my parents to appear in person and sign the parental consent form in front of an attorney. Oh, and they asked for valid ID's from each of my parents. I'm not sure if it works the same in every city.

You've got that right, every city seems to interpret that law differently. Which is why getting the Embassy capacity to marry affidavit will make life easier for her at least.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Even that isn't the easy answer anymore as some cities do not accept that from the embassy.

[rawkus212 0]

@Bitsu,

I was on the same boat as you do way back in 07. I had to get the "Legal Capacity to Marry" from USEM. I put "American" for the marriage application so I won't have problems in the future. Now I want to file for DCF and CRBA here in USEM.

I do not want to create another thread but to all who's reading this, I haven't been back to the US since 2004 due to school, marriage and a kid. I am now decided to go back to the US but with my family. I don't know if the USEM Consul may give me a hard time due to my long stay here in the Philippines. Has any body experienced the same?

Good luck to both of us Bitsu. We can do this. Cheers!

[reginakrys 33]

I don't know if the USEM Consul may give me a hard time due to my long stay here in the Philippines. Has any body experienced the same?

My husband came to the Philippines when he was just 5 months old, and visited the US only once when he was around 5. So, most of his life he has stayed in the Philippines. I hope that won't be an issue! We're having our interview in two weeks.

[Hank_ 9,174]

USC traveling on a U.S. passport, you will no issues, there isn't a restriction on how long you are out of the country.

[Mark and Rassel 9]

@Bitsu,

I was on the same boat as you do way back in 07. I had to get the "Legal Capacity to Marry" from USEM. I put "American" for the marriage application so I won't have problems in the future. Now I want to file for DCF and CRBA here in USEM.

I do not want to create another thread but to all who's reading this, I haven't been back to the US since 2004 due to school, marriage and a kid. I am now decided to go back to the US but with my family. I don't know if the USEM Consul may give me a hard time due to my long stay here in the Philippines. Has any body experienced the same?

Good luck to both of us Bitsu. We can do this. Cheers!

U.S. Citizenship does not have a time limit. You are one for life unless you voluntarily give it up or it is legally removed by a U.S. federal court of law. You'll just get a 'welcome home' and thats about it! Remember, US passports are good for only 10 years. You can re-enter the U.S. with one day left on it with no hassle. After the ten years . . . you'll probably have to renew. I believe that departing the U.S. Requires at least 6 months left on the passport you're traveling on. I'd certainly talk to your friendly neighborhood embassy there in Manila for details about how that works . . ..

Good Luck and Welcome Home!

Mark

[Mark and Rassel 9]

My husband came to the Philippines when he was just 5 months old, and visited the US only once when he was around 5. So, most of his life he has stayed in the Philippines. I hope that won't be an issue! We're having our interview in two weeks.

I'd call the U.S. Embassy and schedule an appointment ASAP or talk to someone over the telephone (get their name or id number for future reference). My guess is that he can apply for and receive a passport, that should solve any potential problems with him re-entering the U.S. Last time I paid for a passport it was about 80.00 US . . .

Good Luck!

Mark

[reginakrys 33]

I'd call the U.S. Embassy and schedule an appointment ASAP or talk to someone over the telephone (get their name or id number for future reference). My guess is that he can apply for and receive a passport, that should solve any potential problems with him re-entering the U.S. Last time I paid for a passport it was about 80.00 US . . .

Good Luck!

Mark

He does have a valid US passport, and he's been in the US since September of last year. But all in all, he hasn't even spent 2 years of his life there.