Philippines Weddings/Marriages

[StarProg 0]

My plane got into Manila at 5 am. My fiancée and I went straight to the embassy, getting there before 7 am. Though they don't officially open until 8, we were helped at 7:00, the CO saw me at 7:30 and we were out of there with the affidavit before 8. I am divorced but did not need to show proof. The CO did ask me 3 questions, one in particular about what the document I was trying to get was for. So be prepared for a few questions. Not really a problem and the CO was nice and helpful.

We went to a provincial priest to ask about the marriage license, and he offered to issue the license and perform the civil ceremony for us. For a price he also offered to take care of it all that day. We accepted and were married immediately, but we had to go back after 10 days when I realized the marriage certificate said the license was issued a day before I arrived in the Philippines. In all it took us 14 days from my arrival to be officially married. We did not need to take the seminar because we're older.

Be warned that the official NSO marriage certificate may take 6 months to obtain. My wife was only able to get hers last week, and we were married September 11th.

[beameup 0]

Be warned that the official NSO marriage certificate may take 6 months to obtain. My wife was only able to get hers last week, and we were married September 11th.

Like most things in the Philippines, you have to actually talk with the person "in charge" - avoid the "underlings" so-to-speak - they have no authority and will just "give you a hard time". Go to the LOCAL NSO office and talk directly to the director. Request that she provide you with a (hand carried) letter to take to the MAIN NSO director in Quezon City. These "civil registries" are forwarded to headquarters in "BATCHES" - get the batch # and the DATE it was sent. You can get a legitimate NSO copy of a marriage license within 2-3 weeks (sometimes quicker).

By the way, I know a lot of expat Americans who have found it impossible to take their Filipina wives to the U.S.

Usually the problem is not with the sponsor but with the sordid past of the Filipina wife, or the fact that the American

has moved permanently to the Philippines and given up his "domicile" in the U.S. That is why a K-1 is a good "test".

[griffin 7]

I think one must have seminar esp. if you are going to have a traditional church wedding.