Utah County Proxy (Zoom) wedding

[coa24 69]

6 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Right now they do not need to go to the Embassy for the "Affidavit on Lieu of the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage".  Unless things have changed, the Embassy and the LCRs air allowing that affidavit be notarized by any Notary Public in the Philippines.  4 weeks is plenty of time if you are organized.  I've seen it done in 3 weeks.  Organization is the key and finding the efficient quickly really helps.  Try the town mayor.  Courts are backlogged on all cases so marriages may take a while to get scheduled.

 

One MAJOR challenge is he is not allowed to enter the Philippines unless he is a former citizen or spouse.  The online wedding can help get him into the Philippines and many do a "renewal of vows" for family.  Identical to an actual wedding but there is no paperwork to submit.  To legally file the I-130, they would have to meet again AFTER the wedding before they file.

 

So they can get the legal capacity to marry from the locality they will be married in ( I assume they write their own letters?)?That is good news for them. Marriage license can take a week I believe.

Edited December 27, 2021 by coa24

[John & Rose 7,239]

7 minutes ago, coa24 said:

So they can get the legal capacity to marry from the locality they will be married in ( I assume they write their own letters?)?That is good news for them. Marriage license can take a week I believe.

The license takes 10 working days before it becomes active.  It has to be announced in the papers in case someone wants to challenge the legality.  The Affidavit is available online.  I just found it in Google.  They use that form and not something they write on their own.  Since LCRs tend to have their own process, it is best to check with the LCR first to make sure they will accept it.

[coa24 69]

Thanks for the infrmation. Will share with them the information provided including the online marriage option. Will see what direction they go

[RO_AH 1,659]

23 hours ago, coa24 said:

This is extremely interesting. I have a filipino friends, one a USA citizen and the one he wants to marry a Philippine citizen. To say the least, they poorly prepared for a wedding in the Philippines in February and the guy only has 4 weeks to everything done from affidavit to marry from USA embassy to getting marriage license an then getting married. I wonder if this could be a work around for their situation where they can have the proxy wedding and then in February have a mock wedding in the Philippines for the family. 

 

That way they would not have to worry about getting all the requirements together in less than 4 weeks. It seems there is success. Would an I-130 be doable (they met multiple times already)?

I went there for 3 weeks and got married. 4 weeks is plenty of time. However doing an online wedding will speed up the visa process

[Jimmyzr1 36]

11 hours ago, RO_AH said:

I went there for 3 weeks and got married. 4 weeks is plenty of time. However doing an online wedding will speed up the visa process

I got married online recently and am awaiting Apostille but for some reason I can’t seem to find all of the 9a visa documents that I need to provide with the 9a visa application. Am going through the San Francisco Consulate. I think there were 12 or more things needed but can’t seem to find the details again. Also, what else I need from my wife in the Philippines. Can someone help? Also if someone has a pdf affidavit of explanation letter I can download would be great since I don’t have word on my computer. Thanks

Edited December 29, 2021 by Jimmyzr1

[RO_AH 1,659]

12 hours ago, Jimmyzr1 said:

I got married online recently and am awaiting Apostille but for some reason I can’t seem to find all of the 9a visa documents that I need to provide with the 9a visa application. Am going through the San Francisco Consulate. I think there were 12 or more things needed but can’t seem to find the details again. Also, what else I need from my wife in the Philippines. Can someone help? Also if someone has a pdf affidavit of explanation letter I can download would be great since I don’t have word on my computer. Thanks

The consulates vary as to requirements. You need to contact the Philippines Consulate that services where you live for the 9a requirements.

[Jimmyzr1 36]

1 hour ago, RO_AH said:

The consulates vary as to requirements. You need to contact the Philippines Consulate that services where you live for the 9a requirements.

Yes, I do know that. But I also have seen several people getting deleted because the consulate seems to want something additional after they’ve provided what the consulate had asked for. I’m going through the San Francisco one.

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just now, Jimmyzr1 said:

Yes, I do know that. But I also have seen several people getting deleted because the consulate seems to want something additional after they’ve provided what the consulate had asked for. I’m going through the San Francisco one.

Since the marriage technically takes place in Utah, San Francisco is the correct consulate. I haven’t heard of any being deleted or being asked for more info if they supplied what is required.  It wouldn’t surprise me though. I do hear from 5 or 6 who successfully received their 9a including one couple who married before they met so K-1 was not an option. 

[Jimmyzr1 36]

1 minute ago, John & Rose said:

Since the marriage technically takes place in Utah, San Francisco is the correct consulate. I haven’t heard of any being deleted or being asked for more info if they supplied what is required.  It wouldn’t surprise me though. I do hear from 5 or 6 who successfully received their 9a including one couple who married before they met so K-1 was not an option. 

Thanks for the info. Have you heard if they are required to take their Apostilled marriage certificate with them to the Philippines as that will have to be left behind here at the consulate with my ROM paperwork? I do have an extra marriage certificate to bring with me along with the visa I would get.

[John & Rose 7,239]

They will require a copy of the marriage certificate for entry. It doesn’t have to be an original. We showed a copy from my phone and they accepted it for entry in November. 
 

The certified Utah certificate was all that was required for my step son’s ROM. No Apostille was asked for. Those requirements change often. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just looked this up

 

A. Reporting a Marriage Contracted in the United States
(Between Filipinos or a Filipino and a Foreign National)

Present original documents or certified true copies of the Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Divorce Decree, etc. to the Consular Officer/Staff. The original documents will be returned after processing the report of marriage. Kindly collate the following documents and arrange into sets of five (5) according to the order of documents below:

1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request to report a marriage with contact information (ex. Mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address).

2. Five (5) original duly-accomplished Report of Marriage (ROM) forms. The following entries must be made:

• Entries must be typewritten or printed legibly in black ink.
• Entries should be made in the exact format indicated in the ROM form (ex. Date: 18 May 2020, Place: San Francisco, California, USA).
• The wife should use her maiden name (birth name/ name before marriage) in filling out the ROM form.
• For the civil status of both husband and wife, indicate if Single, Annulled, Divorced, or Widow/Widower.
• Entries must be at the time of marriage of the spouses/subject.
• For the signature of the husband and wife: 
  a. If the marriage is reported in person, it will be sworn to and signed by both husband and wife before a Consular Officer/Staff; or
  b. If submitting the ROM by mail, item 20 in all five (5) duly-accomplished ROM forms must be notarized by a Notary Public. Item 21 and item 22 should be left blank.

3. One (1) original and four (4) photocopies of Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Marriage, duly notarized, when reporting the marriage a year or more after its occurrence. Otherwise, there is no need to submit said Affidavit.

4. Five (5) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate/Contract issued by the Office of Vital Records or any other appropriate office of the State where the marriage took place. The following details must be indicated in the Certificate/Contract:

• Number of marriages contracted by the parties.
• If the number of contracted marriages is not shown in the Certificate/Contract, one (1) certified copy and five (5) photocopies of the marriage license showing the number of marriage/s must be additionally submitted.
• If there is a record of previous marriage of both parties, see additional requirements below.

5. Five (5) photocopies of the Birth Certificate of both husband and wife:

• For the Filipino National – PSA Authenticated Birth Certificate
• For the Foreign National – Birth Certificate issued by the country of birth.

6. Five (5) photocopies of valid passport of both husband and wife, together with any of the following:

• For the Filipino National (proof of Philippine Citizenship) – submit copies of Resident Alien Card/ Permanent Resident Card and/or Philippine Dual Citizenship (Birth Certificate/Report of Birth or Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and Order of Approval), copy of visa (if tourist, leisure or business purpose), job contract or working permit (if working abroad at the time of marriage).
• If the Filipino Spouse was a former Filipino citizen and had acquired foreign citizenship (i.e. American) after the marriage – submit copies of Certificate of Naturalization.

B. Additional Requirements:

For Divorced, Annulled, or Legally Separated Filipino Spouse

1. 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 provide five (5) photocopies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the PSA.

2. If previous marriage is annulled in the Philippines – present one (1) original and provide five (5) photocopies of the final order issued by the Philippine Regional Trial Court (RTC) and one (1) original and five (5) photocopies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate (which indicates the details of the annulment) issued by the PSA.

3. If the divorced Filipino spouse has no record of marriage in PSA – submit photocopies of Divorce Decree / Certificate validated by the Regional Trial Court nearest the spouse’s place of residence in the Philippines.

 

[Jimmyzr1 36]

6 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Just looked this up

 

A. Reporting a Marriage Contracted in the United States
(Between Filipinos or a Filipino and a Foreign National)

Present original documents or certified true copies of the Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Divorce Decree, etc. to the Consular Officer/Staff. The original documents will be returned after processing the report of marriage. Kindly collate the following documents and arrange into sets of five (5) according to the order of documents below:

1. One (1) Cover letter indicating your request to report a marriage with contact information (ex. Mobile/telephone number, email address, and permanent address).

2. Five (5) original duly-accomplished Report of Marriage (ROM) forms. The following entries must be made:

• Entries must be typewritten or printed legibly in black ink.
• Entries should be made in the exact format indicated in the ROM form (ex. Date: 18 May 2020, Place: San Francisco, California, USA).
• The wife should use her maiden name (birth name/ name before marriage) in filling out the ROM form.
• For the civil status of both husband and wife, indicate if Single, Annulled, Divorced, or Widow/Widower.
• Entries must be at the time of marriage of the spouses/subject.
• For the signature of the husband and wife: 
  a. If the marriage is reported in person, it will be sworn to and signed by both husband and wife before a Consular Officer/Staff; or
  b. If submitting the ROM by mail, item 20 in all five (5) duly-accomplished ROM forms must be notarized by a Notary Public. Item 21 and item 22 should be left blank.

3. One (1) original and four (4) photocopies of Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Marriage, duly notarized, when reporting the marriage a year or more after its occurrence. Otherwise, there is no need to submit said Affidavit.

4. Five (5) photocopies of the Marriage Certificate/Contract issued by the Office of Vital Records or any other appropriate office of the State where the marriage took place. The following details must be indicated in the Certificate/Contract:

• Number of marriages contracted by the parties.
• If the number of contracted marriages is not shown in the Certificate/Contract, one (1) certified copy and five (5) photocopies of the marriage license showing the number of marriage/s must be additionally submitted.
• If there is a record of previous marriage of both parties, see additional requirements below.

5. Five (5) photocopies of the Birth Certificate of both husband and wife:

• For the Filipino National – PSA Authenticated Birth Certificate
• For the Foreign National – Birth Certificate issued by the country of birth.

6. Five (5) photocopies of valid passport of both husband and wife, together with any of the following:

• For the Filipino National (proof of Philippine Citizenship) – submit copies of Resident Alien Card/ Permanent Resident Card and/or Philippine Dual Citizenship (Birth Certificate/Report of Birth or Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and Order of Approval), copy of visa (if tourist, leisure or business purpose), job contract or working permit (if working abroad at the time of marriage).
• If the Filipino Spouse was a former Filipino citizen and had acquired foreign citizenship (i.e. American) after the marriage – submit copies of Certificate of Naturalization.

B. Additional Requirements:

For Divorced, Annulled, or Legally Separated Filipino Spouse

1. 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 provide five (5) photocopies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the PSA.

2. If previous marriage is annulled in the Philippines – present one (1) original and provide five (5) photocopies of the final order issued by the Philippine Regional Trial Court (RTC) and one (1) original and five (5) photocopies of the Annotated Marriage Certificate (which indicates the details of the annulment) issued by the PSA.

3. If the divorced Filipino spouse has no record of marriage in PSA – submit photocopies of Divorce Decree / Certificate validated by the Regional Trial Court nearest the spouse’s place of residence in the Philippines.

 

Yes, thanks for this information, we are working on this process now. Although this page says you only need copies of certain documents, like marriage, death certificates, other places say you need one certified true copy or original and 4 or 5 copies. The step I was worried about as well was after watching a video, it said that an Apostilled marriage certificate along with a 9a visa was required now to enter, which I’ll only have an original marriage certificate, since my Apostille will be with the SF consulate when I go to visit. I’m not sure the Apostilled is required though, like you stated.

[John & Rose 7,239]

In my experience, be very careful following YouTube examples. That is one persons opinion and it can also be old. Things change rapidly so a video made a few months ago or at a different consulate can be VERY different than reality.  I recommend following exactly what the consulate in question has in their official website. I’ve seen too many people burned by YouTube videos. They might be correct but they also might not. At least official sites will give you a real starting point. 

[Jimmyzr1 36]

2 hours ago, John & Rose said:

In my experience, be very careful following YouTube examples. That is one persons opinion and it can also be old. Things change rapidly so a video made a few months ago or at a different consulate can be VERY different than reality.  I recommend following exactly what the consulate in question has in their official website. I’ve seen too many people burned by YouTube videos. They might be correct but they also might not. At least official sites will give you a real starting point. 

 

2 hours ago, John & Rose said:

In my experience, be very careful following YouTube examples. That is one persons opinion and it can also be old. Things change rapidly so a video made a few months ago or at a different consulate can be VERY different than reality.  I recommend following exactly what the consulate in question has in their official website. I’ve seen too many people burned by YouTube videos. They might be correct but they also might not. At least official sites will give you a real starting point. 

I think this one was a new video released a day or two ago, saying new requirements. Whether true or not, I don’t know.

[RO_AH 1,659]

3 hours ago, John & Rose said:

Since the marriage technically takes place in Utah, San Francisco is the correct consulate.

Where the marriage takes place and where you file for the 9a visa have nothing to do with each other.  However being that he is in Sacramento I am sure it would be the same one.