Married in PI 2013-Divorced in USA 2021- Marry Again?

[Adventine 3,187]

13 hours ago, Prisonmate said:

If you marry her outside the Philippines, prepared to pay for her parents and family airfare and hotel and other travel expenses. Most young filipina getting marry for the first time, wants her family to be there when she gets marry.  Oh by the way, if she and her family don't have a passport, prepare to pay for those other travel documents.

 

Especially since the fiancee and family seem to be extremely conservative. They are likely going to want a wedding with the works and relatives to the X degree in attendance.

[Prisonmate 93]

27 minutes ago, Adventine said:

 

Especially since the fiancee and family seem to be extremely conservative. They are likely going to want a wedding with the works and relatives to the X degree in attendance.

Yes, I've have gone through this once and a second time in the near future. LOL

They have this custom to list people (family members and friends) in the Wedding Program Sheet as "Sponsors". However, none pays anything toward the wedding costs. It seems like it's their way of making someone feel important .  I guess it's the same logic they have when they ask anyone they know to be "Godparents" to their children. The more "Godparents" the more gifts they will receive.

 

[Adventine 3,187]

Just now, Prisonmate said:

Yes, I've have gone through this once and a second time in the near future. LOL

They have this custom to list people (family members and friends) in the Wedding Program Sheet as "Sponsors". However, none pays anything toward the wedding costs. It seems like it's their way of making someone feel important .  I guess it's the same logic they have when they ask anyone they know to be "Godparents" to their children. The more "Godparents" the more gifts they will receive.

 

 

That's odd, I'm Filipino and I always understood that wedding sponsors have to contribute money towards the cost of the wedding. I've been a both a wedding sponsor and a godparent, and I gifted cash.

 

 

 

[Prisonmate 93]

My first wedding in Manila, I paid for everything. My ex-wife had certain relatives of hers on the Wedding Program sheet. Some that attended the wedding receptions were no one she knew as they were friends of people that were invited. I was told by her that was the norm in the Philippines. I expect my next wedding in the Philippines will be the same. It is what it is.

In your case, you have more class and self respect for yourself and better upbringing.

 

 

[Adventine 3,187]

Well, thanks.

 

To return to the original topic, OP should definitely be aware that wedding norms aren't the same across Filipino families, but given what he's described about his fiancee and her family, he should be prepared for some significant wedding and travel expenses.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

On 5/30/2021 at 5:04 PM, Paul & Mary said:

We were married in Hong Kong and did the ROM there but had to wait for the recorded copy from Manilla.  We did s DCF so we were way off the normal path.    When I made the trip to Ciudad Juarez the USCIS specifically looked for the ROM along with my divorce papers.   Mary doesn't recall it coming up at the interview. 

 

If you have any questions about Hong Kong marriages I am happy to answer. It was super easy for us.

Sorry late reply: Any ideas on who I contact in Hong Kong to arrange the marriage ahead of time so we don't have to stay there for weeks on end? (Yes, I was a boy scout, always prepared) Any help will be greatly appreciated.

David O Aloha and Mahalo

[David & Diana R 1,005]

On 6/1/2021 at 3:06 PM, top_secret said:

We got married in Costa Rica in December and it could not have possibly been any easier.  We paid around $550 for the lawyer/notary to handle everything from start to delivery of certified and apostilled marriage certificate.  The ONLY documents required were scans of our passports e-mailed in advance.   Literally, that was the only documents required. Self-affidavits of singleness and whatever other documentary requirements were rolled into the lawyers fee.   We really didn't have to do a single thing except pay money and appear for the ceremony and sign stuff.  The I-130 petition from that Costa Rica marriage is already approved in record time, so it has USCIS's stamp of approval.  One interesting feature of Costa Rica Marriage Certificates is that they can be instantly authenticated by anyone on the Governments official Civil Registry website which must make highly reliable authentication of marriages very easy for USCIS. 

Can you direct me to the lawyer you guys used?  Or anything else?  550 seems reasonable to me

 

Aloha, David O

[David & Diana R 1,005]

On 6/2/2021 at 7:22 AM, Adventine said:

Well, thanks.

 

To return to the original topic, OP should definitely be aware that wedding norms aren't the same across Filipino families, but given what he's described about his fiancee and her family, he should be prepared for some significant wedding and travel expenses.

My fiances family have given me permission to take her out of country because they understand that we can't be married in the Philippines.  Of course I will have to go to her home town (province) for a few days before we fly off together to prove to the family that I am serious and legit.  We spend lots of time chatting online with her family member present.  We are hoping to have a "blessing" back in her hometown after we are married overseas and plan on about 100 guests for a reception. Very affordable in the Philippines.  Thanks for the input.

Aloha, David O

[Just Paul 4,591]

33 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Sorry late reply: Any ideas on who I contact in Hong Kong to arrange the marriage ahead of time so we don't have to stay there for weeks on end? (Yes, I was a boy scout, always prepared) Any help will be greatly appreciated.

David O Aloha and Mahalo

You need to send the Notice of Intent so that it arrives about 3 weeks before you want to marry.  Technically it is 15 days before the date you want to have the Certifiate to Celebrate your Marriage issued.  https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/marriage/Registration_of_a_Marriage.html#a  We had our marriage at the Cotton Tree Registry.   The trick is getting the fee paid in HK Dollars.   I was able to get a Bank Cheque from Catahy Bank while in Los Angeles and send the whole packet via Fedex.   You show up at the Immigration office forthe marriage certificate with your original documents and the issue you the Certificate to take to the registry.   We got out certirifcate on Tuesday, married on Friday and had the report of marriage at the consulate on Sunday.  I think the Marriage Registration and Certificate was 305hkd and we ordered 4 more certified copies that we picked up a few week later.   You do need 2 witnesses but you can always find someone at the registry willing to help.   It was all pretty simple.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

5 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

You need to send the Notice of Intent so that it arrives about 3 weeks before you want to marry.  Technically it is 15 days before the date you want to have the Certifiate to Celebrate your Marriage issued.  https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/marriage/Registration_of_a_Marriage.html#a  We had our marriage at the Cotton Tree Registry.   The trick is getting the fee paid in HK Dollars.   I was able to get a Bank Cheque from Catahy Bank while in Los Angeles and send the whole packet via Fedex.   You show up at the Immigration office forthe marriage certificate with your original documents and the issue you the Certificate to take to the registry.   We got out certirifcate on Tuesday, married on Friday and had the report of marriage at the consulate on Sunday.  I think the Marriage Registration and Certificate was 305hkd and we ordered 4 more certified copies that we picked up a few week later.   You do need 2 witnesses but you can always find someone at the registry willing to help.   It was all pretty simple.

Awesome, thanks for the tips.  Yeah I just wasted two weeks thinking we could marry in Bali but that turns into a nightmare because they have archaic regulations regarding marriage. Like the Philippines

Mahalo, David O

Edited June 11, 2021 by David & Zoila

[Just Paul 4,591]

4 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Awesome, thanks for the tips.  Yeah I just wasted two weeks thinking we could marry in Bali but that turns into a nightmare because they have archaic regulations regarding marriage. Like the Philippines

Mahalo, David O

Now you just need to both be able to get there. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

1 minute ago, Paul & Mary said:

Now you just need to both be able to get there. 

Yeah I know and Duterte seems to change the rules on an hourly basis. I have been vaccinated but my fiance has not.  She is trying to find the vaccine in PI but so far has no luck.(No surprise) It would be a disaster if we managed to get to Honk Kong and then the Philippines wouldn't let her return due to a lack of vaccination. 

[top_secret 2,166]

46 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Can you direct me to the lawyer you guys used?  Or anything else?  550 seems reasonable to me

https://costaricamarriageofficiants.com  The only difficult part about Costa Rica is the flights are long. But easy to do on a Filipino Passport without any visas.  immigration and everything else is very easy.

 

AFIK Hong Kong is still closed to most non-residents and seems unlikely to allow in American or Filipino tourists any time soon.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

1 minute ago, top_secret said:

https://costaricamarriageofficiants.com  The only difficult part about Costa Rica is the flights are long. But easy to do on a Filipino Passport without any visas.  immigration and everything else is very easy.

 

AFIK Hong Kong is still closed to most non-residents and seems unlikely to allow in American or Filipino tourists any time soon.

 

1 minute ago, top_secret said:

https://costaricamarriageofficiants.com  The only difficult part about Costa Rica is the flights are long. But easy to do on a Filipino Passport without any visas.  immigration and everything else is very easy.

 

AFIK Hong Kong is still closed to most non-residents and seems unlikely to allow in American or Filipino tourists any time soon.

Well... that sucks.  We are hoping for August or September or at the very latest early October. I have flight reservations to arrive in PI on Aug 12 and depart PI on Oct 15.  Hopefully things open up in time.  Or we will have no choice but to hold off and plan a second visit to do the marriage/wedding ceremony.

Aloha, David O

[AllaR 13]

19 minutes ago, top_secret said:

https://costaricamarriageofficiants.com  The only difficult part about Costa Rica is the flights are long. But easy to do on a Filipino Passport without any visas.  immigration and everything else is very easy.

 

AFIK Hong Kong is still closed to most non-residents and seems unlikely to allow in American or Filipino tourists any time soon.

 

I always took direct flight from BWI to CR (period of 2 years dating). Also, we were lucky that my partner worked there or we would never be able to be together. It took 3 years.

Edited June 11, 2021 by AllaR