Reporting marriage to Philippine government?

[wantmybaby 4]

Hi, I hope this particular sub-forum is appropriate enough since my wife entered on a K1 visa from the Philippines. (If not, please feel free to move it.) Her Philippines passport needs to be renewed soon, and it came to our attention that we may have needed to do something to report the marriage to the Philippine government before trying to renew passport, so that the last name can be adjusted and who knows what else.

What's the easiest way to both report the marriage and get the passport renewed with the adjusted last name? Can we do it with a single visit to the consulate in NYC? Or, would two separate trips be needed? And, is there any way to do either of this entirely online or by mail? My wife is out of vacation days at work, so we really can't afford to take even one day this year, let alone two, to run these very lengthy errands. And, it's too late if we wait until next January when she has more vacation days.

Also, someone in a Facebook group told my wife that the Philippine government is going to reject the last name change because I'm previously divorced (in the USA) and the Philippines doesn't recognize divorces thus won't recognize the name changes. I suspect this is BS, but can anyone confirm?

Thanks!

Edited June 24, 2015 by wantmybaby

[PHIL > AZ 6]

I recently reported our marriage to the Philippines Consulate in Honolulu. I think the processes are pretty much the same at all consulates though.

For the report of marriage it is possible to do it purely by mail. Just follow the instructions on http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/

For the renewal of passport it is required that the applicant show up in person.

[wantmybaby 4]

Thanks very much! Hopefully they won't mind that the marriage was 3 years ago. At first glance, the form looks confusing... I'll search for answers before asking for some specifics on the fields.

[wantmybaby 4]

Ugh.... sorry... form and instructions are confusing... at here:

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/philippines-sf/links-sf/other-links/consular-services-sf/faq-sf/

it says we need (among other things that I understand):

"Four (4) original duly-accomplished Report of Marriage Contracted Abroad form"

- Is this the PDF they have there called "Report of Marriage.pdf"?

"One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Record (original will be returned)"

- What's that? In New Hampshire, the state can on demand produce official stamped marriage certificates, that's it. There is no separate "marriage record" versus "marriage certificate".

"One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate or Contract (original will be returned)"

- See above question...

They also want an SASE to mail back the "Report of Marriage", whatever that is. I'm not sure why I'd want back the forms I just sent them. What do they send back when the report is acknowledged?

Thanks again!

[TBoneTX 45,303]

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Philippines regional subforum. ***

[Hank_ 9,174]

Ugh.... sorry... form and instructions are confusing... at here:

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/philippines-sf/links-sf/other-links/consular-services-sf/faq-sf/

it says we need (among other things that I understand):

"Four (4) original duly-accomplished Report of Marriage Contracted Abroad form"

- Is this the PDF they have there called "Report of Marriage.pdf"?

"One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Record (original will be returned)"

- What's that? In New Hampshire, the state can on demand produce official stamped marriage certificates, that's it. There is no separate "marriage record" versus "marriage certificate".

"One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate or Contract (original will be returned)"

- See above question...

They also want an SASE to mail back the "Report of Marriage", whatever that is. I'm not sure why I'd want back the forms I just sent them. What do they send back when the report is acknowledged?

Thanks again!

Yes the forms on the consulate website are what you use, make 4 copies with original signatures.

SASE Self Addressed Stamped Envelope Then send you a copy of the ROM form stamped with recording data from recording your marriage at NSO.

After you were married your state doesn't want you to bring the signed marriage contract into the county recorder (or such for your state)?

[PHIL > AZ 6]

Thanks very much! Hopefully they won't mind that the marriage was 3 years ago. At first glance, the form looks confusing... I'll search for answers before asking for some specifics on the fields.

If the marriage was a while ago, you might want to include a signed letter stating why you are reporting it so late. Not sure if its required but I remember reading somewhere that its good to have just in case they ask. We didn't report until about 1.5 years after our marriage.

[wantmybaby 4]

Yes the forms on the consulate website are what you use, make 4 copies with original signatures.

SASE Self Addressed Stamped Envelope Then send you a copy of the ROM form stamped with recording data from recording your marriage at NSO.

After you were married your state doesn't want you to bring the signed marriage contract into the county recorder (or such for your state)?

Once the signed contract is out of our hands, we don't have it anymore to make copies of. I'm not sure where else we'd go to get a copy of that. Whenever I've wanted proof of marriage, they print out, stamp and sign a new marriage certificate.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Once the signed contract is out of our hands, we don't have it anymore to make copies of. I'm not sure where else we'd go to get a copy of that. Whenever I've wanted proof of marriage, they print out, stamp and sign a new marriage certificate.

You go to the country recorder and request certified copies.

[wantmybaby 4]

You go to the country recorder and request certified copies.

I'm still trying to figure out if they really need the "marriage license" into addition to the marriage certificate. I went to the town hall which is able to issue marriage certificates, and they said they can't do that. She called around and found I could go to the NH Vital Records and request a copy for $15, but only if I show them documentation from the Philippine embassy (I guess the web site counts) demonstrating why I need it. They don't normally give it out.

So, is it REALLY needed? The certificate already has the number of previous marriages on it for each of us. What info are they looking for?

To quote the embassy's web site again, just to make sure I understand what they are asking for, it is:

- One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Record (original will be returned)

- One (1) original or certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate or Contract (original will be returned)

I'm assuming "marriage record" means "marriage license"? Does it mean something else?

Thanks!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Whatever "official" document you have that shows your wife to be married to you. I don't live in NH so don't know the finer details there.

[sweet01 39]

Hi

Hi Hank

Actually, I was not able to report our marriage yet (4 months after getting married) and we're now living here in MA so I'm looking for threads about ROM. Here's what I saw on the Philippine Consulate in NY and I think this would be the rules applied to those living in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusett, Delaware, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island. (PCGNY jurisdiction) - http://www.newyorkpcg.org/the-consulate/our-services/civil-registry/report-of-marriage

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Four (4) original duly accomplished Report of Marriage Contracted Abroad form signed by the husband and wife;

Four (4) identical passport-size colored photographs for each of the spouses in white or royal blue background taken within the last six months;

One (1) original and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate or Record showing the number of marriages contracted by the parties and issued by the Office of the Vital Records or any other appropriate office of the State where the marriage took place. If the number of contracted marriages do not show, one certified copy and two regular copies of the marriage license showing the number of marriage must be additionally submitted;

If the former spouse is deceased, one (1) original/certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the death certificate and the marriage certificate with the deceased spouse;

If divorced/previous marriage is annulled by a foreign court, the foreign judgement must be recognized by a Philippine Court. Present one (1) original and four (4) copies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the NSO;

If previous marrige is annulled in the Philippines, present one (1) original and four (4) copies of the final order issued by the Philippine RTC and one (1) original and four (4) copies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the NSO;

One (1) original/certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of currently valid passport or State-issued driver license of the contracting parties;

Payment of non-refundable processing fee of US$25.00 (if applying by mail, only money order, certified or cashier’s check payable to the Philippine Consulate General New York; personal check is not accepted);

If application for report is filed more than 30 days after the date of marriage, an original and four (4) photocopies of the Notarized Affidavit of Explanation for delayed registration by the applicants;

The Consular Officer may require additional proof or documents from the applicant/s to determine their citizenship, identity or eligibility for registration of marriage under Philippine laws.

Oh well, I need to write an explanation for delayed registration

Edited June 30, 2015 by sweet01

[VOL 425]

Just a FYI, You don't have to report you marriage to Philippines, It is not required...

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi

Hi Hank

Actually, I was not able to report our marriage yet (4 months after getting married) and we're now living here in MA so I'm looking for threads about ROM. Here's what I saw on the Philippine Consulate in NY and I think this would be the rules applied to those living in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusett, Delaware, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island. (PCGNY jurisdiction) - http://www.newyorkpcg.org/the-consulate/our-services/civil-registry/report-of-marriage

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Four (4) original duly accomplished Report of Marriage Contracted Abroad form signed by the husband and wife;

Four (4) identical passport-size colored photographs for each of the spouses in white or royal blue background taken within the last six months;

One (1) original and four (4) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate or Record showing the number of marriages contracted by the parties and issued by the Office of the Vital Records or any other appropriate office of the State where the marriage took place. If the number of contracted marriages do not show, one certified copy and two regular copies of the marriage license showing the number of marriage must be additionally submitted;

If the former spouse is deceased, one (1) original/certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of the death certificate and the marriage certificate with the deceased spouse;

If divorced/previous marriage is annulled by a foreign court, the foreign judgement must be recognized by a Philippine Court. Present one (1) original and four (4) copies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the NSO;

If previous marrige is annulled in the Philippines, present one (1) original and four (4) copies of the final order issued by the Philippine RTC and one (1) original and four (4) copies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the NSO;

One (1) original/certified true copy and four (4) photocopies of currently valid passport or State-issued driver license of the contracting parties;

Payment of non-refundable processing fee of US$25.00 (if applying by mail, only money order, certified or cashier’s check payable to the Philippine Consulate General New York; personal check is not accepted);

If application for report is filed more than 30 days after the date of marriage, an original and four (4) photocopies of the Notarized Affidavit of Explanation for delayed registration by the applicants;

The Consular Officer may require additional proof or documents from the applicant/s to determine their citizenship, identity or eligibility for registration of marriage under Philippine laws.

Oh well, I need to write an explanation for delayed registration

You have to report your marriage to the consulate that has jurisdiction in the state where you got married. Don't know why but them are the rules.

[sweet01 39]

You have to report your marriage to the consulate that has jurisdiction in the state where you got married. Don't know why but them are the rules.

Hi Greenbaum

Oh I see, I don't know this rule , so just to clarify, do I need to report my ROM to the Consulate office in LA since that is the jurisdiction of Arizona and that's where we got married? We just moved in here in Massachusetts this June so I'm quite confused as well...Hope for enlightenment Thank you.

Edited June 30, 2015 by sweet01