It seems like im ready, am i?

[Regan L 1]

Ok everyone,i live in america and my wife and daughter live in the Philippines. Ive been filing all the paperwork to get them here. Finally after many months of paperwork i have everything i think i need so i can go pick them up and bring them back home with me, but every time i turn the corner there's always one more thing.

So can you all tell me if i have everything ready or if im missing anything?

My wife has her:

1. CR1 spousal Visa

2. CFO stamp

3. Our marriage certificate

4. Her Filipino Passport.

My daughter has her:

1. U.S. Passport

2. Consular Report of Birth Abroad Certificate(CRBA)

3. She will soon be getting her Emigration Clearance Certificate(ECC or Exit Permit)

4. Her Filipino birth Certificate

My plan is to buy a one way ticket there for me and a one way ticket back of the three of us, so we can all be on the same flight. Does that seem ok? Is the Filipino airport going to give me any problems when i arrive if i have a one way ticket in then a different one way ticket back for us, because i know in America, customs will not let you enter the country if you only have a one way ticket and not a round trip.

Edited February 28, 2013 by Regan L

[Hank_ 9,174]

One thing I would suggest is to go to NSO and get extra copies of the birth certificates if you have time (4-6), as you will be glad you did once you are here. Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate may be nice also, if you can get that.

As long as you have a return ticket or any ticket leaving the country again you will be fine, if they should happen to ask to see it. I think the airlines will be looking more closely before you depart then the customs agent in the Phils will.

Edited February 28, 2013 by Hank_

[X Factor 1,112]

Don't forget money

[Regan L 1]

One thing I would suggest is to go to NSO and get extra copies of the birth certificates if you have time (4-6), as you will be glad you did once you are here. Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate may be nice also, if you can get that.

As long as you have a return ticket or any ticket leaving the country again you will be fine, if they should happen to ask to see it. I think the airlines will be looking more closely before you depart then the customs agent in the Phils will.

so you think im set?

[Hank_ 9,174]

so you think im set?

Yup you are good to go in my opinion.

[dave01 16]

One thing I would suggest is to go to NSO and get extra copies of the birth certificates if you have time (4-6), as you will be glad you did once you are here. Extra certified copies of the marriage certificate may be nice also, if you can get that.

As long as you have a return ticket or any ticket leaving the country again you will be fine, if they should happen to ask to see it. I think the airlines will be looking more closely before you depart then the customs agent in the Phils will.

I second this, having 4 or 5 extra birth certificates when you get to the US is a good idea. Other than that you should be good to go

[Regan L 1]

I second this, having 4 or 5 extra birth certificates when you get to the US is a good idea. Other than that you should be good to go

are you sure?

[sunandmoon 450]

are you sure?

it's a good idea. no one can say for sure you'll need them. but if you do, you will not have to order them from the ecensus website.

[actob99 156]

As long as you have a return ticket or any ticket leaving the country again you will be fine, if they should happen to ask to see it. I think the airlines will be looking more closely before you depart then the customs agent in the Phils will.

It will be the airline in the U.S. Requesting to see your return ticket. And they will ask because they are responsible.. In the last 5 years, PI immigration has never asked me for my return ticket...

[Tahoma 2,292]

In the four years Chinook has been here in the U.S., she's never needed her birth certificate for anything.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Really? We needed a copy for getting the marriage license, SSA asked for a copy of my wife's birth certificate, USCIS wanted a copy when adjusting status, and DMV also asked. Then when we did the Report of Marriage they wanted to see her birth certificate as well, an original to view and copies to keep.

Edited March 10, 2013 by Hank_

[actob99 156]

Really? We needed a copy for getting the marriage license, SSA asked for a copy of my wife's birth certificate, USCIS wanted a copy when adjusting status, and DMV also asked. Then when we did the Report of Marriage they wanted to see her birth certificate as well, an original to view and copies to keep.

Same here, copies worked for all.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I had my wife get 6 extra copies when at NSO. Doubt we will ever need them all, but they were cheap and easy to get while still in the Phils whereas later its a PITA to do. Every now and again here on VJ I read of someone needing a certified copy of their BC, just too easy to do when at NSO anyway ...

Edited March 10, 2013 by Hank_

[Tahoma 2,292]

Really? We needed a copy for getting the marriage license, SSA asked for a copy of my wife's birth certificate, USCIS wanted a copy when adjusting status, and DMV also asked. Then when we did the Report of Marriage they wanted to see her birth certificate as well, an original to view and copies to keep.

Chinook brought one original birth certificate with her to the U.S. and has never had to submit it to anyone or show it to any agency for any reason. The only time she took it out of the safe and dusted it off is when she made a photocopy of it for AOS purposes. Then she put it back in the safe.

I still don't understand why you needed more than one original birth certificate. For all of the agencies you listed, with the exception of the USCIS and the Philippines Consulate, even if they wanted to see a document, they wouldn't keep it. As for the USCIS (AOS) and the Philippines Consulate (Report of Marriage), you only need to submit photocopies of the birth certificate, you do not need to submit originals.

Also, I don't see anywhere on the Arizona MVD website where an alien's birth certificate, original or otherwise, can be used as identification to get a driver license.

By the way, I just talked to a buddy of mine in Arizona who married a Pinay there. His wife only had to show her passport when they filled out their marriage license. They got married about two years ago. He told me that in Arizona only those who are 16 and 17 years old have to show a birth certificate. I checked out the official website he gave me, and it appears he's right.

Here's what Chinook used:

State of Washington ID card: Philippines passport / I-94 / Marriage Certificate / Social Security card.

State of Washington driver license: State of Washington ID card.

Social Security number: Philippines passport / I-94 / Philippines SSS card.

AOS: An original birth certificate is not required. Chinook submitted a photocopy.

ROC: No birth certificate is required.

Report of Marriage: We haven't reported our marriage. However, an original birth certificate is not required. Four photocopies are required. Philippines Consulate

[sunandmoon 450]

Regan, to sum it up, you can go either way. you can get extra copies which you may or may not need. if you don't get extra copies and a sitution arises where one is needed, it can be ordered from the ecensus website. you'll just have to wait a few weeks for it to arrive. no need to sweat over this one.