CR1 & ROM

[EdwardSnowden 13]

Will be doing Utah online marriage next week. We live together here in PH currently.  She does not plan to change her last name.

 

A few questions:

 

1-Is ROM required for CR1 visa?

2-If required, is it because CFO GCP program requires ROM and CFO is needed for her to depart PH?

3-If processed locally, how long does it take from the time of marriage until we can get Report of Marriage (ROM) in Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) security paper? (LA consulate website quotes 6-12 months, is it MUCH faster here in PH?)

4-Any tips on which docs/notaries/apostilles are needed from Utah to process the ROM without issues?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

12 minutes ago, EdwardSnowden said:

LA consulate website quotes 6-12 months

Utah is in the SF consulate jurisdiction, not LA's: http://www.philippineshonolulu.org/index.php?page=consulate-finder-dc

14 minutes ago, EdwardSnowden said:

process the ROM

Here is a video:

[EdwardSnowden 13]

26 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Utah is in the SF consulate jurisdiction, not LA's: http://www.philippineshonolulu.org/index.php?page=consulate-finder-dc

Here is a video:

Thank you.

 

Besides my other questions asked above, is it possible to file the ROM here in Manila where we live?

[HRQX 4,145]

6 minutes ago, EdwardSnowden said:

is it possible to file the ROM here in Manila where we live?

Yes:

• https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/consular-records/crd-requirements/crd-report-of-marriage
• https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/consular-records/crd-application-process

[top_secret 2,417]

58 minutes ago, EdwardSnowden said:

Thank you.

 

Besides my other questions asked above, is it possible to file the ROM here in Manila where we live?

You can file it at DFA ASEANA Office in Manila but it's actually slower because DFA Manilla still forwards it to the San Francisco Consulate for processing which is an extra layer of delay. Plus you don't receive a stamped certified original ROM within a few weeks like you do from the Consulate.  But if you live in the Philippines it's certainly cheaper on courier fees if you go through DFA ASEANA.

 

The 6 to 12 months time estimate is just so you won't bug them.  It doesn't take that long.  My wife recently needed a PSA copy to change her name on her driver's license.  She got that from PSA like 3 months after we filed it with the Philippine Embassy in Mexico City (since we married in Costa Rica). The timetable is a few weeks for the consulate to process it.  Then a whole batch of them get sent to Manila once a month so if you are lucky it could be right away.  Unlucky? You missed this month so it goes next month.  Once DFA Manila receives it from the Consulate it's about another month for PSA to have it available.  3 months is probably typical.

 

If CFO gives her any grief about it try telling the them it filed but the consulate said it will take 6 to 12 months so that why you don't have it.

[EdwardSnowden 13]

Excellent information and help as always, Sir!

 

Is the "stamped certified original ROM within a few weeks like you do from the Consulate" the original application back from them, showing they've received it, along with all the other original documents?

 

BTW, I refresh your posts every few days to see if you've gotten a Interview appointment yet. Fingers crossed for you.

[Hank_ 9,174]

14 hours ago, EdwardSnowden said:

Will be doing Utah online marriage next week. We live together here in PH currently.  She does not plan to change her last name.

 

A few questions:

 

1-Is ROM required for CR1 visa?

2-If required, is it because CFO GCP program requires ROM and CFO is needed for her to depart PH?

3-If processed locally, how long does it take from the time of marriage until we can get Report of Marriage (ROM) in Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) security paper? (LA consulate website quotes 6-12 months, is it MUCH faster here in PH?)

4-Any tips on which docs/notaries/apostilles are needed from Utah to process the ROM without issues?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

1.  NO.  ROM is not required for the CR1 visa.   Being you are getting married in the USA a PSA copy of your marriage certificate isn't required,  USCIS/embassy will want certified copies of the marriage certificate.

2.  CFO may require a PSA copy of your marriage certificate (which would require ROM)

3.  https://pcgsanfrancisco.org/civil-registry/

4.  Record the marriage and request certified copies.   Follow the instructions in the link above

 

 

 

13 hours ago, HRQX said:

Yes:

• https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/consular-records/crd-requirements/crd-report-of-marriage
• https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/consular-records/crd-application-process

Unless something changed recently a marriage is reported to the consulate representing the state where the marriage took place.   

Edited September 13, 2021 by Hank_

[HRQX 4,145]

On 9/13/2021 at 11:42 AM, Hank_ said:

Unless something changed recently a marriage is reported to the consulate representing the state where the marriage took place.   

Click on the DFA links: https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/consular-records/crd-application-process "HOW TO FILE A REPORT OF BIRTH/MARRIAGE/DEATH IN THE PHILIPPINES" "NOTE: Submitted requirements will be forwarded to the concerned Foreign Service Post (FSP) for their processing and evaluation. In certain circumstances, FSPs may require submission of supplementary documents to provide additional substantiation of identity or Philippine citizenship. The FSP will register the vital event once it has determined the validity of the application and supporting documents."

 

Like top_secret mentioned DFA still forwards it to the appropriate consulate for processing:

On 9/12/2021 at 11:26 PM, top_secret said:

DFA Manilla still forwards it to the San Francisco Consulate for processing which is an extra layer of delay.

Edited September 30, 2021 by HRQX

[Hank_ 9,174]

Paperwork is still mailed to the appropriate consulate (as noted by top_secret) ....   So why start it with DFA?  ROM is completed by mail/UPS/Fed/Ex (your choice of carrier) skip the DFA silliness and follow the process as noted on the consulate website.

[top_secret 2,417]

20 hours ago, EdwardSnowden said:

Is the "stamped certified original ROM within a few weeks like you do from the Consulate" the original application back from them, showing they've received it, along with all the other original documents?

The consulate stamps their seal on the bottom of an original ROM, signs it and returns it with your documents.  Usually within a few weeks.  That 'should' work for anything you need a ROM for until the PSA version is available later.  If you filed in DFA Manila it would have the extra time for transit from DFA Manila to the Consulate, processing, and from the Consulate back to Manila when they apparently only ship bundles of ROMs once a month.   Which would probably not be to much sooner that the PSA ROM was available.

Edited September 14, 2021 by top_secret

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yes the PSA copy is just a "scanned" and certified copy of the documents you completed originally when filing ROM.    Not necessary for the visa process, only need a certified copy of the actual marriage certificate (from the county) for the visa process.   Not sure CFO would be happy with it as it isn't a "certified" PSA (yellow paper) copy.

 

 

[EdwardSnowden 13]

Thanks guys. Very helpful and helps me cut out a lot of running around and stress on these points.

 

I'm working with an attorney in Manila that has had good luck on a couple of successful DCF cases lately. He says my case, like all cases, have a low chance of getting accepted by the USEM, but why not give it a try. Also he noted that my case is similar to a DCF they got through 2 months ago. 

 

Wouldn't it be an epic pain in the a$$ if DCF was accepted and approved and yet CFO won't let her go due to ROM delays? ugggghhh. lol

 

Thanks again!

 

 

[Swafford25 20]

I have looked over the requirements of the ROM for the consulate and it notes that signatures from both parties are required. If you are married via the Zoom Utah Wedding, how can this be accomplished? Would my fiancé print and fill out the documents then send them to me to finish and submit? 

[HRQX 4,145]

On 9/17/2021 at 9:57 AM, Swafford25 said:

If you are married via the Zoom Utah Wedding, how can this be accomplished?

The video that was shared earlier covers that topic starting at the 2:00 minute mark:

On 9/12/2021 at 9:28 PM, HRQX said:

Here is a video:

Edited September 30, 2021 by HRQX

[EdwardSnowden 13]

An update on our status:

 

Completed an Online Marriage through Utah County. I was with my fiance in PH, and our witnesses were also in PH but at a different location, and obviously the offical was in Utah. Such a simple, easy and enjoyable process. Out of all steps, this was easiest. 

 

I took the step of getting parental consent as she's 20 years old. Her mom had to go to local city hall and get it witnessed by an official there. It was not needed by Utah, but I read that it will be required by CFO later, so didn't want to take a chance on that.

 

I had my assistant compiling documents for weeks, ordering new birth certificates, my original divorce decree, got the FEDEX from Utah Marriage Cert in like 3 days after the marriage. I followed all of the instructions in the video posted above about filing ROM with minor differences because Im here in PH. We sent the packet to San Francisco based on recommendation of @top_secret. SF consulate suggested we could do it locally in Mania, but we chose not to for a better chance of moving things along faster and getting the stamped application back sooner along with the original documents. Normally this ROM reporting might take 6-12 months, so hoping that the SF Consulate Official stamp on my application will be enough for CFO to accept it and grant a CFO certification. Seems we might need this CFO certification anyway, even if not headed to USA, but even a small trip to Thailand or whatever as so many of these ladies are getting offloaded, especially in covid days.

 

We've filed DCF a few days ago. I'll report in a few days our results on that. Hoping for a little bit of luck. 🙂