Legal Capacity Question

[travystats 0]

I will be arriving in the Philippines on October 7th and will be leaving on the 28th. My Fiance and I are getting married on the 24th. I was wondering how long it would take to get the certificate of legal capacity? Is it something we can get the same say? Also it says the marriage license takes 10 days. I would assume that is 10 business days? I feel like we are really cutting close on time.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

This is actually a pretty good guide:

http://www.filipiknow.net/how-to-get-married-in-the-philippines/

[travystats 0]

This is actually a pretty good guide:

http://www.filipiknow.net/how-to-get-married-in-the-philippines/

Thank you for that guide. Where exactly can I get the certificate of legal capacity? Does it have to be at the embassy in Manila or can I get it here in the U.S.?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Thank you for that guide. Where exactly can I get the certificate of legal capacity? Does it have to be at the embassy in Manila or can I get it here in the U.S.?

Answer may be found here

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?app=forums&module=post&section=post&do=reply_post&f=129&t=455496&qpid=6526234>

[travystats 0]

I just need to know how long it takes to get that cert.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

If you read the guides that were given to you then you would know the answer to all your questions. The answer is dependent on what path you will take. Since we do not know what your capacity is or how near you are to some of the Government entities that we refer to, it's hard for us to give you the exact answer. You need to help yourself and read the guides. It takes about 15 min and then you will have your answers and quite frankly, you'll know what your next steps are.

Edited August 25, 2016 by Greenbaum

[moneyman76542 5]

I just need to know how long it takes to get that cert.

I can give you a straight answer since I was in your shoes a few months ago..

The Legal Capacity for Marriage from the U.S. Embassy is given to you same day. You will be there for like 2 hours.

The Marriage License can take more than 10 business days to get depending on how many applicants they are processing but there are ways around that. $$..

Also don't forget to schedule a wedding date there too.. if it's past the date you will be there.. you can plead with them that you don't have enough time and again. $$..

Make sure your fiancé gets all the required documents from NSO in advance.

ALSO IMPORTANT, Get a cenomar for yourself too.. She can request one for you. Most places online say its optional but GET IT.. I was actually required to have one and luckily I already had my fiancé get it before I arrived there

On any document, even if you think you don't need it, GET IT.. it's not expensive and it'll save you stress.

For getting married there, you WILL need a Godfather and Godmother for wedding.. It can be anyone that your fiancé knows.

Also, everything is done by paper so you WILL need to check every single document they write.. and most will be done in copies of 4.. Check each of the 4 documents even though its the same.. I only checked the first two pages of the marriage application and made the assumption that everything was correct.. BIG MISTAKE. The last two documents had my wife's birthplace wrong.. luckily i was still there to have it fixed because they needed everyone to sign a new copy..

Also before you can process an I-130 IR1/CR1, you will need to get an NSO copy of the marriage certificate.. that will take 6 months unless you do an Advanced Endorsement.. It's like $25.. Pay the advanced endorsement and ask to allow you to mail it to NSO yourself.. You will mail it with LBR or whatever the name of the courier is.. Use the address on the paper and when they ask for phone number, go to NSO directory website and search the name of who it's being addressed to.. It will give you their office number.. After that, she will receive the NSO copy within 3 weeks.. and luckily you don't need the original copy so she can scan it and email it to you.

Sorry for the long post.. If you have any questions feel free to ask me anything!

[moneyman76542 5]

Oh and when you are going to the U.S. Embassy, You can't bring anyone with you so Taxi Driver will try to take advantage of you.. I had one that had a meter but didn't show price.. when i got to the bridge area (where you have to walk) the driver tried to charge me 3000 pesos.. thats like $68..I hid my money and told him i only had 500 pesos ($10).. He will even try to take american dollars too.. Just pay them whats on the meter or if no meter, what ever you think is reasonable..

Some will ask for 80 peso "traffic" fee in addition to your fee.. you can choose to pay that or not when you get off.. 80pesos is like $2

Edited August 25, 2016 by moneyman76542

[travystats 0]

Thanks a bunch Moneyman. Her and I already have our wedding scheduled and our function is booked. I will be renting a vehicle for my stay there. She has her cenomar already. Since the big day is coming up of course now I am getting nervous about making sure the timing on everything will work. The earliest I can get to the embassy there would be monday the 10th. 2 weeks from that date is our wedding. So pretty much have to get the marriage cert and apply for the license on the same day. Hopefully im not forgetting anything. I know there is some sort of marriage seminar as well but hopefully that is after the above mentioned things.

[teddy k 35]

Hi,make an online appointment with the embassy so when you get there you head straight there it and you pay $50.00 us it takes roughly about 2hrs to do. Go by yourself

[Mrs.FC 2]

You have to make an online appointment in manila embassy website and make sure to print and bring the confirmation of appointment when you go to manila embassy. I suggest you book an appointment now, the earlier the better, you need that legal capacity to apply for a marriage license.

[Brassballs 47]

You need to attend a marriage seminar conducted by the LCR that will be issuing your marriage certificate and ultimately license. This must be done 10 days before your wedding date. I presume this will be a civil ceremony? If you're planning a Catholic church ceremony then there are all the pre-cana counseling requirements that typically can't be accomplished in 21 days.

[travystats 0]

Thanks again everyone for the responses. Apparently I am unable to book an appointment online during the date that I want. All of the spaces are gray. As of right now the only available date is August 31st. So perhaps it would be easier if I called. Yes this is going to be a civil ceremony. Is the marriage seminar in between getting the legal capacity cert and receiving the marriage license?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Thanks again everyone for the responses. Apparently I am unable to book an appointment online during the date that I want. All of the spaces are gray. As of right now the only available date is August 31st. So perhaps it would be easier if I called. Yes this is going to be a civil ceremony. Is the marriage seminar in between getting the legal capacity cert and receiving the marriage license?

You'll be wasting your time as those who will assist you if you call in to set your appointment, are looking at the same schedule as you.

[MsCompE 50]

Oh and when you are going to the U.S. Embassy, You can't bring anyone with you so Taxi Driver will try to take advantage of you.. I had one that had a meter but didn't show price.. when i got to the bridge area (where you have to walk) the driver tried to charge me 3000 pesos.. thats like $68..I hid my money and told him i only had 500 pesos ($10).. He will even try to take american dollars too.. Just pay them whats on the meter or if no meter, what ever you think is reasonable..

Some will ask for 80 peso "traffic" fee in addition to your fee.. you can choose to pay that or not when you get off.. 80pesos is like $2

Thats right! I hate cabs in manila. So better use uber. Uber is available in manila.