Reporting of Marriage

[Kevin&Lenith 36]

Ok, it's been along time since I have been here. This sight helped me get my filipina here, and thru the marriage process, and getting of green card, but once again I find myself in need of some help. It's time for my wife to get a new passport , so headed to embassy to do just that. The question is, since we were married here, it looks like we are supposed to report our marriage. This process has me stumped, because it seems to be an incredible amount of paper work , and I am unsure as to what purpose it serves. Since she is going to be traveling back to the Philippines next year we need to do the passport thing, and we are being told that if she wants to use her married name on passport , the marriage has to be reported. But she could keep her single name on passport, and not have to go thru the hassle of reporting it. Any suggestions would be great, even if to point me in another direction within visa journey.

That's for any help

Kevin

[apple21 953]

If your wife is using her married name on all her ID cards including her green card, it's better if her Philippine passport also bears the same.

It will make international travel easier because she won't have to bring her US marriage certificate and explain to airline authorities why her passport still bears her maiden name.

[Theresa0828 65]

Hi Kevin,

You do need to report your marriage so that it will be recorded in the philippines national statistics office... your wife will need this if she wants to renew her passport and want to use her married name (as what you want now) and if she apply for a dual citizenship later on.

With that here is the link: http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/philippines-dc/consular-services-dc/faq-dc/#marriage

You might think its a bit overwhelming but it actually documents you already have plus the form, the thing is... all should sent 4 copies (they will return one copy and the original marriage certificate, thus they need a stamped self-addressed return envelope). Just make sure that you address it to the consulate that has jurisdiction over where you guys got married.

To answer your question, she can keep her single passport, in fact, if her passport right now is not yet expiring... she can still use them... it is easier for you to buy her tickets using the name on her passport... and just bring a copy of your marriage certificate and of course her green card for the return trip to the US.

[Kevin&Lenith 36]

Thanks guys, pretty much what I expected. On last question requirements call for marriage license , with witness signatures, do I really have to go get this, or is the marriage certificate enough. And with regards to a new passport, her current one is expiring, so I assume should go they're porting process first, then apply for new one using married name, or can I go to embassy and do the reporting and passport renewal all at the same time. Once again thanks, as always the place to find the answers

Kevin