Am I Considered Married in the Philippines?

[Greenbaum 12,260]

I was actually going to do the green card thing after we report the marriage in LA. Isn't the I-1551 stamp on the passport valid for a year?

So our plan was actually to get the CR-1 rolling, use our existing Texas marriage license for the interview and the CRBA and passport application for our baby (due on April), re-enter/enter the US through LA, report the marriage at the Philippine Embassy and then have my passport updated.

I guess there really is no way around it. It's just added expenses and they ask for so many copies of the documents it's annoying. And if you mail it in it has to be notarized. Govt procedures here are so medieval lol.

The entire process can be all consuming but it is the process and you or I can't change it so hey..... sit back.... find out what you need to do and do it for you and your love one.

I know the feeling. Just when you think you have completed something someone in the process ask for more. It just happened to us earlier this week and now she has to get on a plane to go back to Manila to complete another step so the visa can be released and the frustrating thing is we were there with extra days and we had all the documents, but no... they need to talk directly government to government.

So, be happy that you are one more step in the right direction with the help of all those who are here.

Good luck.

[SennaBrigante 92]

The issuing of the CR-1 visa, means you will get a green card. There is an immigration fee you need to pay after the visa issuance, which failure to pay would cause your green card to be delayed, but the name the green card will come with, is the name in the passport you used when the visa is issued. The CR-1/IR-1 isn't a K-1 with an AOS application required later.

You can use the Texas marriage certificate to file, but they're more than likely going to want to see the CEMAR later in the process.

Yes all the required copies for the report of marriage contracted abroad is a pain, but the fee is only $25. Getting signed and notarized forms is going to be a pain with you two living apart to. Too bad you didn't do this before heading back to the Philippines.

You don't actually get married again, as you're already married. You have a second marriage ceremony without the marriage license, sometimes called a renewal of vows, or a blessing. Many people do this, but I believe its more common to have a civil ceremony and then return to have a church ceremony.

That kinda sucks We wanted a legit ceremony because when we got married it was just the two of us there. His stepmom is a Filipino and his siblings are Fil-Ams so having a wedding in the Philippines kinda makes perfect sense for us. We don't want his family to fly to the Philippines (6 adults) just for a renewal of vows after less than 5 years of marriage :'(

[altonbebe 48]

I'm curious, how were you in the United States?

Tourist Visa, Student Visa??

[SennaBrigante 92]

Tourist visa. My then-bf and I just planned 4-month visit for me to gather documents for a K1 visa application. But not even a full month there I got pregnant and we got married before I left to make sure that when the kid is born it will be legitimate here in the Phils. I had to leave because I don't have insurance there and between the baby stuff, AOS fees and medical fees, we simply cannot afford it with just one income.

[Darnell 8,479]

My husband and I got married in Texas last September. We still haven't reported the marriage to the Phil Embassy.

I'm in the Philippines now waiting for oour CR-1 to be filed. While here I want to work and apply for jobs.

Is my marital status here single or married if my marriage hasn't been reported yet?

Thanks.

You have no CENMAR status, there's no record of the marriage in the PI.

So, file yer paperwork, now that yer back in the PI.

Good Luck !

[sweet cakes 326]

I'm curious, how were you in the United States?

Tourist Visa, Student Visa??

I was curious too ... I just thought then that she's an LPR.

Tourist visa. My then-bf and I just planned 4-month visit for me to gather documents for a K1 visa application. But not even a full month there I got pregnant and we got married before I left to make sure that when the kid is born it will be legitimate here in the Phils. I had to leave because I don't have insurance there and between the baby stuff, AOS fees and medical fees, we simply cannot afford it with just one income.

Sis, you might have a bigger problem. I am not a pro here, and sorry to say this, but I think you have committed visa fraud. A tourist visa doesn't entitle anybody to get married at the visited country.

Maybe others that are more experienced here can give you advice on how you can go about this legally. You might have a difficult time going back to US.

[Darnell 8,479]

na - is ok to get married in the USA on a tourist visa.

where the 'fraud area' comes in, is intent at POE, when attempting to adjust status inside the USA.

Marriage in the USA is perfectly fine.

--

re: my previous post - you need to get the marriage registered in the PI, have some CEMAR entry. I mis-typed it before.

[sweet cakes 326]

na - is ok to get married in the USA on a tourist visa.

where the 'fraud area' comes in, is intent at POE, when attempting to adjust status inside the USA.

Marriage in the USA is perfectly fine.

--

re: my previous post - you need to get the marriage registered in the PI, have some CEMAR entry. I mis-typed it before.

That's an interesting note. Thanks for correcting me, Darnell.

But normally, isn't the intent at POE for a tourist visa is just for "holiday", unless specified as "business" (B1 / B2). In what circumstance/s can a tourist visa be fine for a right to marriage?

Sorry, I have this general impression that a tourist visa for any country is very strict about their purpose of visiting. I have at least 5 tourist visas in different countries, and during application for these visas, there is no way, anybody can get through the embassy without establishing the actual purpose of the visit. And they do strict scrutiny on the submitted documents.

[Caryh 5,206]

I was curious too ... I just thought then that she's an LPR.

Sis, you might have a bigger problem. I am not a pro here, and sorry to say this, but I think you have committed visa fraud. A tourist visa doesn't entitle anybody to get married at the visited country.

Maybe others that are more experienced here can give you advice on how you can go about this legally. You might have a difficult time going back to US.

She committed no fraud. It is not fraud to marry on a tourist visa while in the USA. It is fraud to come with the intent to marry and stay. But its difficult to prove intent. She on the other hand, did not stay in the USA, she returned home to follow a normal process of the CR-1, even though she still would have been entitled to stay and adjust status after she was married. I'd say getting married because you got pregnant can hardly be planned on.

That's an interesting note. Thanks for correcting me, Darnell.

But normally, isn't the intent at POE for a tourist visa is just for "holiday", unless specified as "business" (B1 / B2). In what circumstance/s can a tourist visa be fine for a right to marriage?

Sorry, I have this general impression that a tourist visa for any country is very strict about their purpose of visiting. I have at least 5 tourist visas in different countries, and during application for these visas, there is no way, anybody can get through the embassy without establishing the actual purpose of the visit. And they do strict scrutiny on the submitted documents.

You can even come on a tourist visa with the intent to marry, if your intent is to return home. The border agents might not let you in for fear you're going to stay, but it is legal.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I was curious too ... I just thought then that she's an LPR.

Sis, you might have a bigger problem. I am not a pro here, and sorry to say this, but I think you have committed visa fraud. A tourist visa doesn't entitle anybody to get married at the visited country.

Maybe others that are more experienced here can give you advice on how you can go about this legally. You might have a difficult time going back to US.

No problem to get married in the USA will visiting on a Tourist visa, not returning to ones home country and initiating a spousal visa would be fraud. She is just fine.

[Hank_ 9,174]

That's an interesting note. Thanks for correcting me, Darnell.

But normally, isn't the intent at POE for a tourist visa is just for "holiday", unless specified as "business" (B1 / B2). In what circumstance/s can a tourist visa be fine for a right to marriage?

Sorry, I have this general impression that a tourist visa for any country is very strict about their purpose of visiting. I have at least 5 tourist visas in different countries, and during application for these visas, there is no way, anybody can get through the embassy without establishing the actual purpose of the visit. And they do strict scrutiny on the submitted documents.

Tourist visa is for visiting, but there is no issue getting married either - it's the STAYING and adjusting status that would be the issue. She did not stay, she respected the visa process .... big points to her!

[SennaBrigante 92]

Thanks!

My husband is upset that I left understandably. His family was also insisting on me staying and just doing the AOS route but I didn't want to risk being flagged for visa fraud and getting banned and separated for YEARS from my husband and kid. He hates that I made it 10x more complicated but I just can't take the risk. And I don't want to be looked at as one of those chicks that's green card hungry. Let's admit it, southeast asian women have that stereotype.

The latest delays in the CR-1 processing is disheartening though :'(

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks!

My husband is upset that I left understandably. His family was also insisting on me staying and just doing the AOS route but I didn't want to risk being flagged for visa fraud and getting banned and separated for YEARS from my husband and kid. He hates that I made it 10x more complicated but I just can't take the risk. And I don't want to be looked at as one of those chicks that's green card hungry. Let's admit it, southeast asian women have that stereotype.

The latest delays in the CR-1 processing is disheartening though :'(

You get kudos from me for sure... BIG TIME!!

I understand about having to get the marriage reported and such to get your CEMAR. But aren't you glad you learned now instead of during the interview that you need a CEMAR? Right now you have time to get this handled... later you will be burning daylight getting it done.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Lol yeah. But I'm guessing I won't need it until mid next year given the delays in processing so for now we'll just focus on the I-130 first.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Lol yeah. But I'm guessing I won't need it until mid next year given the delays in processing so for now we'll just focus on the I-130 first.

You got me on that one being next year is two months away

USCIS in CSC is showing 5 months for processing the I-130 spousal petition. Then it will be off to NVC for a little more processing, then NVC will schedule your interview.

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processingTimesDisplay.do