Do we need to do ROM to use the balikbayan privilege?

[Adventine 3,196]

I'm planning a trip back to the Philippines in March 2022 with my husband. I understand that as long as we are travelling together, he can use the balikbayan privilege to enter the Philippines without a visa, as long as we bring a copy of our marriage certificate.

 

However, it isn't clear to me if we also need to do the ROM and get a PSA copy of the marriage certificate, or if the US marriage certificate will be enough.  

 

Any recent experiences?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Copy of marriage certificate should be all you need.   Don't think it matters if it is PSA copy.   Do you plan to complete ROM?

 

We have never been asked for anything, but my wife has her passport in her married name.

[Adventine 3,196]

Hello @Hank_, the ROM is one of those things on my Maybe I'll Do It Someday list.

 

I recently renewed my passport in my maiden name. 

 

In pre-COVID times, this would be a non-issue, but now I have a nagging feeling that it might matter.

 

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

Somebody reported using BB lately and they did not have ROM. It might have been on another site I frequent. I follow those threads intently as we are getting ready to make a trip soon.

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

4 hours ago, Adventine said:

Hello @Hank_, the ROM is one of those things on my Maybe I'll Do It Someday list.

 

I recently renewed my passport in my maiden name. 

 

In pre-COVID times, this would be a non-issue, but now I have a nagging feeling that it might matter.

 

My wife's passport is in her maiden name, too. It shouldn't matter as long as you have your marriage certificate. I am like you though...I like to have all my bases covered. We have put of ROM because...well there is always something else that needs done and it seems to fall by the wayside.

[Adventine 3,196]

@Carpe Vinum yeah, it's one of those things that just tends to fall by the wayside!

 

I also asked in a FB group for Filipino travellers and the consensus is, they won't look for the ROM. Maybe I'm just paranoid with everything going on in the PH!

[Talako 785]

We did the ROM, and she name changed her passport.

 

To avoid any issues going forward, I ordered the PSA copy.  It took about three weeks to get here to the US.

 

We haven't used the BB yet.  Probably next year if things open up. 

Edited December 6, 2021 by Talako

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

On 12/6/2021 at 10:00 AM, Adventine said:

I'm planning a trip back to the Philippines in March 2022 with my husband. I understand that as long as we are travelling together, he can use the balikbayan privilege to enter the Philippines without a visa, as long as we bring a copy of our marriage certificate.

 

However, it isn't clear to me if we also need to do the ROM and get a PSA copy of the marriage certificate, or if the US marriage certificate will be enough.  

 

Any recent experiences?

No, you do not need to do ROM to avail of that privilege. 

[Adventine 3,196]

After some more digging, I got this from the website of the PH embassy in Washington. I've decided to just do the ROM to get it over with.

 

Source:

https://philippineembassy-usa.org/visa/

 

QUOTE

"foreign spouses must present a copy of their marriage certificate (issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or Apostilled if issued in the US)"

END QUOTE

 

 

Edited December 17, 2021 by Adventine

[Talako 785]

3 minutes ago, Adventine said:

After some more digging, I got this from the website of the PH embassy in Washington. I've decided to just do the ROM to get it over with.

 

Source:

https://philippineembassy-usa.org/visa/

 

QUOTE

"foreign spouses must present a copy of their marriage certificate (issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or Apostilled if issued in the US)"

END QUOTE

 

 

We got a PSA issued marriage certificate a few weeks ago.

 

What's funny is that it is nothing more the filed ROM reprinted on yellow PSA paper.

[Adventine 3,196]

@Talako bureaucracy makes us go round and round, round and round...

 

I tried to get all the documents notarized today (following the requirements here), but our bank notary said it's against state law to notarize copies of our passports. I've emailed the embassy to ask what alternative document we can provide.

 

 

[Talako 785]

2 minutes ago, Adventine said:

@Talako bureaucracy makes us go round and round, round and round...

 

I tried to get all the documents notarized today (following the requirements here), but our bank notary said it's against state law to notarize copies of our passports. I've emailed the embassy to ask what alternative document we can provide.

 

 

I did a quick look at the LA and Houston consulates.  Neither of them require the notarized passport copies. It appears you got lucky.  Congrats.

 

Interesting to see what they say.

 

 

 

[top_secret 2,421]

2 hours ago, Adventine said:

QUOTE

"foreign spouses must present a copy of their marriage certificate (issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or Apostilled if issued in the US)"

END QUOTE

 

 

That requirement simply states that a US Marriage certificate must be an Apostilled copy.  It does not require a ROM.  Many have reported that they don't usually care if US documents are Apostilled either.  But if one were wanting to dot their i's and cross their t's, it is technically a requirement that a foreign marriage certificate must be Apostilled for use in the Philippines.

 

Though we have had some history of disputes with various Philippine entities over the difference in meaning between the English word OR and the English word AND.

[Adventine 3,196]

@top_secret thank you, I did see the "OR" but I'd rather get the ROM over and done with, for the same reasons you mentioned. I've had some bad experiences with the PH bureaucratic interpretation of AND / OR too.

 

I am also trying to avoid any last minute complications with changing travel requirements. It would be a nightmare if I decided not to do the ROM, and then the PSA marriage certificate becomes a firm requirement for the balikbayan privilege in the next few months. ROM also gives me the future option of getting a PH passport with my husband's name.

 

Still a giant pain, though.

[Skyman 321]

From all I have read and heard you are fine particularly with you passport in your married name. However, I always advise to check with the embassy.  Also,  you will likely find much less hassle flying PAL. And PAL has some direct flights from CA to Cebu (or that other place to the north) so you don't have to deal with the rules in  third country. 

Edited December 19, 2021 by Skyman