Please read carefully. Gio can have anyone back in the states to go to the courthouse where the divorce was final and with both parties names and or the case number they can pay for and request for the final decree. Then can send to Gio thru Lbc the original final decree... So there's no reason why Gio can't produce the divorce documents... 😊
Gio, the affidavit is for you, proving you are currently single. The divorce decree is different. You can have a divorce decree from 20 years ago and have gotten married again since then. My Filipina wife and I completed all our documents and courses within two weeks because our 1st step was to go to the city hall for instructions. We even took all the instructions to a second person in the city hall for verification that we had everything.
It is the same here in Switzerland. You 'must have' the right documents or you can come on another day again. And I really understand that it has to be the right document. We had to do a lot, Apostille etc to bring my Filipino boyfriend to Switzerland. Never roll with your eyes, sorry but true and unpolite everywhere in the world. I know it is stressing but everywhere you have to be polite not just in the Phils. I guess the problem in our cases is that we are international couples. All have to go through it. And yes you are right, inform yourself in advance helps a lot. Good luck and greetings from Switzerland, Susanne
I’m surprised Gio. You’ve been there 6 years. After my first visit to the Phillipines I changed my tune. The second trip and beyond I was agreeable, non reactive, patient, smiling, and pleasant no matter what. Guess what I got everything I wanted that way as opposed to my first visit. My goal after my first visit was to let go of my American Mindset and contentiousness. For me I remember I’m not in America. I want to respect the Phillipines. The higher my expectations the lower my serenity
I’m a Fil-Am and definitely understand Gio’s frustration in the system here in the Philippines. Like all foreigners are saying that You have to bring a lot of patience we you come here.
Hmmm if you are here for good Gio. Even you don’t have plan to marry a Filipina yet. But you don’t know what will happen. But you love to stay in the Philippines.. doesn’t come to your mind what if you will find your “one”?? That paper is the most important one!!! Why the hell you forgot it??? Hmmmm sound something fishy😅😅😅 You’ve been here in Phi for a long time my goodness!!! 😜
I or we my wife got married in 2011 went through one hoop landed on the ground, now live in Bohol and loving it. Good luck on your journey and take care.
So sorry to hear of your troubles. Paul (Old Dog) had exactly the same issue with his wedding arrangements. They were given a list went back with the documents then got told "you now need this" they went back 4 or 5 times before getting the marriage licence.
I don’t know if they do it on purpose or maybe some employees just don’t know exactly what’s needed. It goes for all types of customer service jobs there. Not just that, but when you go back you can spend literally all day in line for just one thing. There’s no accountability for employees so therefore service never improves. That’s the way that it is there. Of course, the Philippines has lots of great stuff to offer and that’s why 400k-500k Americans are currently living there for at least part of the year. Now if you know someone important in the city (mayor, governor, barangay captain, police, etc….your stuff will be expedited without question whether your papers are complete or not.
Perhaps companies and organisations should introduce TQM systems. incorporating SOPs and standardised administration that they train all staff in. That way. These problems could be reduced and eventually eradicated
I was married in less than 30 days in bulacan from when we decided to marry. It's not really bribes, but be willing to be generous to the preacher, the caterer, the wedding venue, and find a way to pay the local government office for some favor like making copies or getting a document in an expedited time frame. We decided to marry June 10th, married June 29th, and we had our official marriage certificate with seal on July 20. Make everyone feel appreciated with your attitude and your money.
I remember trying to jump through hoops to get married in Dumaguete years ago after a bit I was just over it and said we will just officially get married in the USA after doing a fiance visa instead of a spousal visa since my wife was coming to the USA to live with me. Best wishes Maya and Gio and God bless your family!
I'm living here for 6years , why is everything paper, paperwork, paperwork. It's crazy, Philippines makes it so hard for a forigner. Best of luck to both of you ❤❤❤
6 years there and you don't know the deal yet? Seriously, everyone knows that the Philippines bureaucracy is slow-moving, snail's pace. You chose to be there. Deal with it.
Maybe all the paper, paper, paper, and confusing way things are done makes it easier to hide corruption, or maybe all the different pieces of paper helps create jobs, need a person to print all those pieces of paper, and a separate person to verify each piece of paper, and a person to tell you that you are missing a piece of paper, and so on and so on, and each piece of paper costs you money. Or it could just be the "This is how we do it here" mentality and not admitting to problems. If you don't admit there's a problem, nothing will be done to fix it and make it better.
I've heard other vloggers say getting married is very difficult too. Thanks for sharing the details, so we can learn from the mistakes.. Hopefully it gets easier for you. I''m Biblically married. No papers, ceremony or priest involved. Maybe Gods plan is the way of the future. It's the commitment between 2 people that matters. And in the end, nothing else matters.
I am of the opinion that marriage is not the purview of the Government. Up through the early 1900'S marriage was between a man, a woman and God and the state had nothing to do with it. Sometimes a church or synagogue was involved but in general practice marriage is sealed under the eyes of God and God alone. To involve the state is to invoke manipulation and control over you, to use marriage as some sort of tool against the man or the woman either in a census or in the law. When in TRUTH the Bible lays out the process for a union between a man and a woman because He created them to be together. Every time the state is involved it creates problems in the short run and disaster in the long run. The STATES paper is worthless as more and more people get divorced than married these days. So what's the point? For women in the modern western world they want marriage so they are guaranteed financial support for the rest of their life. They are incentivized to break the contract to get money and move on to the next man and the next pot of gold. I understand in the Philippines they are more traditional but I still believe involving the state is a modern problem that the Philippines needs to avoid at all costs or they will see their society and culture destroyed just like the west. Meaning, more and more women will remain single and alone by imposing a state sanctioned marriage license as the only valid evidence of a marriage. If two people on an island want to be married they can make their promises to each other under God. He alone knows the heart of man and He alone will ensure the bond is maintained or not. I have known MANY people that are more happy and more committed to each other in every way that are NOT married than are married through the state. Just about everyone married under the state are controlled by the state and eventually are divorced under the state. So I see no valid legal reason to push for a state sanctioned marriage in today's political and legal environment. There is NO advantage to the man or the woman to be married by the state. But there is great advantage if two souls are united under God.
I got married here in the Philippines twice. It was in olongapo and with the Navy assistance. The big problems came along when getting the Visa to go to the States.
I do sympathize with you both. I love the Philippines, but right from my first visit in 2014 I realised how hard everything was there to get done. The simplest things were difficult, the difficult things almost impossible. It is really hard for foreigners to understand why and how it can be like that. Anyway..good luck next time, and also with your future plans.
I have been with my Filipina wife since 2010, we got married in 2017 have three children registered with PSO. We live in Australia wanting to move to Philippines for years. My wife was previously married in Australia then divorced here. The Philippines embassy in Australia declined sent back our report of marriage in 2017. We are now getting a Cenomar, because my wife believes she never reported her previous marriage to the Embassy or Philippines. Apparently if her previous marriage is not registered then she is single under Philippine law we have been told by Embassy now. It is all mind boggling how crazy it all is. We have been told we can also use our Australian marriage certificate (even though it shows divorce in her side) for Balikbayan Visa at airport. Even Migration consultants in the Philippines seem to not even know what to do 😂
I am a man from the USA. I was married on Sept. 12th, 2022. Everything you said in this video, I had to go thru. I went back to city hall 4 times. I had problems at Immigration. It took almost 4 weeks to get my marriage certificate. Also I am a 68 yr. old man. Making me take the family planner course is a joke for older mature people. The government in the Philippines is very slow. They do not tell you everything at one time. They make you come back 3 or 4 times to get things done. They also charge you money every time as well. I think that is one reason why they do what they do here. It took me from July 1st 2022 until Oct. 5th to finally be married and get all the paperwork finalized.
Hope you guys get what you want. That being said your fiance has been in the PI for years, knows the proteclivities of the system he should know this even thought he gives advice on the PI.
My GF went to get her drivers license. She had to take a grab each way. She took the test and was told she failed by 2 points. She came back the next day and she failed by the same 2 points. I gave her 5000 pesos and she asked the person if she could help the people in the office maybe buy them lunch and she handed her the 5k and magically she got her license. That’s the Philippines at this point in time.
Im so sorry to hear that you bolth had to go thru all the frustrations on getting the marriage licence.Just hang in there,and keep trying.Hopefully you bolth finally get the licence next week.
The easier way was to bring her to the USA and get married here. I went to the appropriate office and picked up my license on the spot. I paid a minister to come to my house a few days later, and married us in our great room, right in my own home. I took Vangie back to the Philippines for a mock church wedding for the benefit of her friends and family, no license was needed. Everything was easy that way. She got to wear her wedding dress a second time and still tries to get two anniversary gifts each year. ha ha
Not at all surprised. When my Filipina wife and I got married in Taguig we went through a very similar situation with roadblocks popping up constantly. Being a widow, I had to have any original death certificate from my late wife, which I thought the notarized Legal Capacity to Marry covered because I had to produce to secure that document. We actually used a lawyer to help submit all the documents and her secretary made multiple mistakes which we had to go through hell to correct. She gave me a Filipino middle name and my place of birth in the Philippines rather than USA. She used and initial instead of writing out my father’s full middle name. Misspelled my mother’s maiden name. I won’t bore you with even more mistakes that were not our fault. I had to produce my parents marriage certificate and both of their death certificates so they could be satisfied that their names on my birth certificate were, in fact, correct. I won’t go into whether or not the lawyer asked for additional money to grease the wheels. I think it’s a good thing that you are making expats who are thinking of moving to the Philippines that the legal system is very much 3rd world still. I love it here but I well aware now of walking softly when dealing with any government official or agency.
We hired a lawyer and he took care of everything. We gave him all of our paperwork passports for pictures of passports all of our other paperwork and he got with no problems.
That's great advice Maya and Gio before you start the process everything you have to visit the local civil registry office in your place to verify and ask for the requirements,
We got married here in Valencia but for us it’s so very easy. It gone so smoothly. We just went to the Civil Registrar office one time and they gave us full information and we acquired it not even 1 week.. I have also a friend they got married in Valencia we have same story... Next time research for everything, so you are more informed. Good luck😊
You guys should pay a lawyer some pesos to get all the information needed or even get all the papers sorted for you. Asking some other couples for advice was very far from the best approach and then to just wing it. A lawyer might not charge you much to get it all done for you. Well worth it to ask the lawyer for a fixed price for his/her services and what he/she can do for you.
I’m actually attending a wedding this weekend in Cebu. A buddy from New York is getting married to a wonderful girl. He paid 75K to a pastor who is supposed to take care of all paperwork. Let’s see how that goes.
The decree absolute should be the first thing you think of, I live in Dumaguete and got married in April 22. We went to the city hall to get the marriage licence and were told that we could not get the licence here because my gf at the time was from Bayawan, that is a 3 hour bus ride away, you have to get the licence from the filipina's barangay of birth. So beware, if you live here or anywhere else and your future wife is from another island, that is where you will have to go to get your licence. You will also have to get your marriage councelling on that island. Not a good idea to mention fixers on social media, asking for trouble..
I went to the City Municipality to get a list of Documents for Me(Foreigner) Her (Filipina) Original Seals on everyone of my documents from the U.S. in a sealed envelope! She was able to get my CENOMAR while I was still in the U.S. I got a Certificate to Legal Capacity Affidavit Here and Went to a lawyer's office and had it Notorized the same day, paid a small fee! Our Process was Easy Peezy! No Stress and No Hassle! We sat down on live chat and got everything needed before I flew to the Philippines! Good Luck!
Great info, Maya & Gio, 😉😎👍🏼❤️. I wish there was a way government agencies & businesses in the Philippines, could see how we’re way more efficient, and organized, compared to the Philippines. That, at least, they would understand “why” we speak up, roll our eyes, or let out a big sigh, when we have to deal with them. And maybe, just maybe, they will start improving their processes, instead of saying, “well, this is how we do it here”, 😒😒. Why don’t they understand, how incompetent they make themselves look, when we ask, “is this the complete list?” And then we come back, they add more to the list??? Guys, I’m gonna have a hard time when I get there, aren’t I, 😉😎👍🏼??? But thanks to you, at least, I’ll be able to better prepared, to hold my tongue, 😉😎👍🏼.
My wife and I got married in Olongapo City (Subic Bay area) in February 2014. We didn't have any issues. We went to the City Hall and got a copy of the requirements. The biggest thing was getting a CENOMAR for my wife to be. And the document from the US Embassy that Gio mentioned. I also had an original copy of my divorce decree from California. The bottom line, once we returned about a week later, we applied for the license, paid the fees. City Hall told us to return in 10-days to receive the license. We returned on the 10th day and sure enough, we were issued the license. We got married on Valentines Day. I wish you both well.
Applying for our k1 visa they needed criminal history. I have a misdemeanor from 20 years ago and they needed the police report. I had to drive to my hometown 2 hours away to get it. They wanted more information 3 times... I eventually went and told them to print everything that exists on this case. Dozens of hours and frustration for something that wouldn't affect anything anyways... so I get everything, like 17 pages of reports, documents, receipts, police testimony, etc and I just send every scrap. Not good enough I guess, they needed the "original" police report.... I was frustrated beyond belief.
Filipino bureaucracy definitely has to be experienced to be believed! We had a 30 day window during my visit in July to secure the marriage license, arrange the wedding and make sure all the paperwork got filed properly after. Even after emailing with the local civil registrar in advance to ensure we had all the paperwork we needed ready to go, it still took two full days and three different municipal offices and a lawyer visit (for notarizing) to get everything in order. She lives in Kalawit on Mindanao and we got married in Tampilisan. Being the first foreigner wedding in the area in years certainly added a level of difficulty to making sure paperwork was in order as no one had recently processed a foreigner marriage license. It was definitely a frustrating experience but overall I found everyone very helpful...even when they were telling us stuff we didn't want to hear lol
Every Municipality Office has a printed list of requirements when applying for a Marriage Licence. This has to be specifically requested when visiting their Offices. Post-outbreak, documents (CONI, Birth Certificate, Divorce Decree) have to be Apostiled in the foreigner country of origin. This is quite a challenging process but there is no other (legal) way.
I shredded mine after 20 yrs thinking I would never get married again! I had to send for an official copy that cost me $30. But it was all worth it to be with my Beautiful Filipina!! Good luck to the both of you!!
I understand your frustration. my husband and I got married in the Philippines 43 years ago. all I needed was my birth certificate and my husband his birth certificate and his divorce paper and no we did not give them the original divorced paper. we give them the copy and that’s it but, come the problem when I was doing my papers to come to the United States. everywhere I go to the nbi office the ph passport they would say your going to the US you married an American can you give us some money for Merienda? I was so shock I can’t believe they have the nerve to say that to me,then I promise myself not till I become a United States citizen I will not come back to the Philippines.I will never have to deal with the philippine government ever again.
One lesson I always tell younger men is that “assumption is the mother of all fuck ups!” Yes, it’s a harsh statement but it’s intended to get their attention to always verify and KNOW something instead of assuming something. Hope the lesson took root.
Hard lesson learned: Bring everything and keep mouth shut. Only speak when spoken to. Leave your personal feelings home. You are in the PH and not in the US. Congratulations on your marriage.
I had the same issue with the divorce papers. Also, every municipality has their own rules and they will ask for more and more things because they don`t really have any standards.
I can’t remember exactly how it went down, but when we got married in Honolulu, we went down to city hall in the morning to get the marriage license and then went straight to the beach to met the pastor and got married.
Getting married in the Philippines is definitely a task list! My Filipina Fiancé and I have been working on getting all necessary documents gathered, so we can get married in mid-January, when I come to Rizal Province. Fortunately, her family has a friend that works in the Municipal offices, and he has been very helpful in instructing us in acquiring all of the documents we both need.
Sorry guys. I know what you are going through. We had the same ordeal. We tried agusan del sur. Butuan and Davao. In my case they wanted a new copy of my birth certificate because the one I had was 2 years old. Flying to Central America to get a new copy was not an option. We used a fixer and everything went smoothly.
went through that when we got married. She had been living in Manila working and moved back to Province. So Ids did not match. Then She was born on a small island that caused a problem for the seminar. But it all worked out in the end. Been married over a year now. PS We did see an attorney to show all of our papers first that helped.
Pay a fixer if they can provide you with al the legal documents and guide you through the process smoothly and swiftly. It makes life much easier. I really wish you get married soon. 🙏
yEAH, I was in Dumaguete in 2012 to 2014. If you have the same name as another person who IS married this will cause you trouble. Yeah every freaking office in PH i went to, OMG they change what they demand. Even getting bank account. If no divorce then you had better have a proof of single paper from the US then take that to the US embassy in Manila to get yet another single paper. Also if your trying to register a marriage license in PH OMG good luck, They kicked me out of the Philippines foreigner affairs office and they said only filipino people allowed in the office waiting area, Also DO NOT get married in a different city in PH. This will only cause much more problems. Her local office will then need to communicate with the place you got married in so that city can then transfer your info back to her city.
We were married at the courthouse in Cebu 18 yrs ago..You need everything just right or they will not give you what you want..It's a lengthy process but I understand it..and we made it very legaL..I was married twice before and it took some digging to comply..Good timing because one month after we made us legal my wife got pregnant with our son..He was born in Bohol and now we have a daughter born in Arizona where we all live now..happily forever..
Gio I don't know how long you've been away from the US but govt bureacrats here are WORSE than they are in the Phils. Things have changed rapidly in recent years
Lol. Poor Gio. In the West he'd have ripped someone a new one and it would have resulted in him being taking care of or them answering to their supervisor in most cases.
Hey guys yes I recently got married in lapu lapu its a patience contest. They sent us on a paper chase at least 4 times then to the US embassy for a paper even after we had everything. They really wanted money but I wasn't giving it to them. Let the fiancee talk we just mess it up. We finally got the license and gave it to a pastor he finished everything for 10000 peso and did the wedding a pastor makes it much easier 🤔
oh my Gio! I understand your frustration, but I thought you also understood the Filipino mindset. You can't slam doors and expect results! Maya, I am amazed by your patience! YOU ARE A JEWEL! Maybe you and Gio can start a marriage service.
My Philipina and me went through similar problems. Next, we are still waiting for Homeland security for 2 of her children to get their passports to come to the states and be with us. Most of set backs they say were delayed because of covid. We been waiting soooo long. You guys are great couple, and you have beautiful Philapina.
I wonder what happens if you take the truly western approach of appealing to the incompetent agent's supervisor, then their boss, then the town council? Public servants should be accountable or be fired.
Filipina if you girls 👧 reading comments here make sure you are married to a retired foreigner if not! you just like the Davao province girl 👧 all she got after her German boyfriend died in the age of 94 all she got is a moped 🏍️ the German arrived in the Philippines age 65 the Filipina age in the 30’s that time.
Maya and Gio. I think in the Great State of Utah you can get married either over the internet. You can check into it. So it would be a USA Wedding if i heard correct. Monty
This is why it is important to learn the language in another country. This way, you would be able to understand what was truly said. Never trust what someone else says because they may not be able to convey it to you correctly. Perhaps as a foreigner who has lived in the Philippines long enough should understand the words sorry I misunderstood even if you did not misunderstand when dealing with officials.
Mark from Every Man Has A Story vlog had a similar story on his efforts get to get married in the Phils. In addition to having to negotiate red tape in a corrupt third world country, you also have the specter of a nativist bureaucrat denying the license due to rank prejudice. I always tell folks to get married in a foreign locale like Hong Kong or Dubai, and then, bring the paperwork to the Philippine embassy there and apply for a change of status: easy peasy and much fewer hoops to jump through.
Just wonderin, can't you just get plane tickets to the USA or where ever Gio is from, fly to his country, and get married there. Then come back as a married couple? Wouldn't that be easier or more difficult? Las Vegas is easy to get married. Happens everyday.
If you think that is bad you should try getting a driver's license in Florida. My Mom had to renew her driver's license here in Florida she has been in Florida over 30 years. My Dad died of Cancer. Mom went to renew her License and they told her she had to have. Wait for it. Proof she was not from another country. New SSI card not worn or used has to be new. Proof of where she was born with a new birth certificate. Proof she had her Driver's License in the state she was born if she had one. Proof of who her Mother and Father are. She also had to have my Dad sign a form to show proof he was married to her, and he had a Florida License. Dad is dead lol. Then she had to have a copy of my Dad's death and how he died. To get all this info she had to pay the DMV and the Courts from the State she was born in and the SS office. Then she had to pay for all that to be sent to her address in Florida . Now while my Mom was going through all this there was a Judge PO because they were making him do the same thing and he was the Judge in the same County he was trying to renew his License.
If there is one thing ive learned as an ex pat living and married to a filipina is dont ever confrint the incompetence of an official here as they cant take a truth and you will pay by them delaying what you require. This applies to all, immigration, the marraige applications, LTO etc. It has nothing ti do with being polite but proving they are incompetent. Documents, if it require 2 copies get 6 instead. Basically we foreigners have to kiss Ass
Don't worry Gio. I'm sure the lady was just jealous that you were marrying Maya and not her. What a bummer but it is a huge decision and on a hot day I would find it frustrating also. Wishing you well from here on up to the big day Maya. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a mission alright. As said the goal posts keep moving with paperwork required. Got married here in the Philippines in march. Davao office required sooo many things we gave up, went to caburan and got married two days later with the SAME PAPERWORK go figure
If u marry in another country it may be easier to divorce if needed. Sometimes in the US it is good to divorce to protect the spouse from some financial problems. Adding more requirements is what inconsiderate people, or people seeking bribes do. After you are married, take toblerone to all the troublemakers coworkers and NOT to her. Do that for a couple years at Christmas to rub it in.
Gio Are Serious About Marrying This Beautiful Woman? If you're serious about marrying this lovely, you need all your documents and original copies. And be polite to the people. And follow the laws. Good Luck Please Be Polite👍
Please read carefully. Gio can have anyone back in the states to go to the courthouse where the divorce was final and with both parties names and or the case number they can pay for and request for the final decree. Then can send to Gio thru Lbc the original final decree... So there's no reason why Gio can't produce the divorce documents... 😊
Gio, the affidavit is for you, proving you are currently single. The divorce decree is different. You can have a divorce decree from 20 years ago and have gotten married again since then. My Filipina wife and I completed all our documents and courses within two weeks because our 1st step was to go to the city hall for instructions. We even took all the instructions to a second person in the city hall for verification that we had everything.
It is the same here in Switzerland. You 'must have' the right documents or you can come on another day again. And I really understand that it has to be the right document. We had to do a lot, Apostille etc to bring my Filipino boyfriend to Switzerland. Never roll with your eyes, sorry but true and unpolite everywhere in the world. I know it is stressing but everywhere you have to be polite not just in the Phils. I guess the problem in our cases is that we are international couples. All have to go through it. And yes you are right, inform yourself in advance helps a lot. Good luck and greetings from Switzerland, Susanne
I’m surprised Gio. You’ve been there 6 years. After my first visit to the Phillipines I changed my tune. The second trip and beyond I was agreeable, non reactive, patient, smiling, and pleasant no matter what. Guess what I got everything I wanted that way as opposed to my first visit. My goal after my first visit was to let go of my American Mindset and contentiousness. For me I remember I’m not in America. I want to respect the Phillipines. The higher my expectations the lower my serenity
You’re an intelligent and articulate person. You’ll have a great future in Philippines.
I’m a Fil-Am and definitely understand Gio’s frustration in the system here in the Philippines. Like all foreigners are saying that You have to bring a lot of patience we you come here.
never ever get married in this country !!!! You are lucky right now !!!😅
wishing you guys the best of luck, Maya , I can sense you are truly happy and its awesome to see that
Hmmm if you are here for good Gio. Even you don’t have plan to marry a Filipina yet. But you don’t know what will happen. But you love to stay in the Philippines.. doesn’t come to your mind what if you will find your “one”?? That paper is the most important one!!! Why the hell you forgot it??? Hmmmm sound something fishy😅😅😅 You’ve been here in Phi for a long time my goodness!!! 😜
I or we my wife got married in 2011 went through one hoop landed on the ground, now live in Bohol and loving it. Good luck on your journey and take care.
So sorry to hear of your troubles.
Paul (Old Dog) had exactly the same issue with his wedding arrangements.
They were given a list went back with the documents then got told "you now need this" they went back 4 or 5 times before getting the marriage licence.
I don’t know if they do it on purpose or maybe some employees just don’t know exactly what’s needed. It goes for all types of customer service jobs there. Not just that, but when you go back you can spend literally all day in line for just one thing. There’s no accountability for employees so therefore service never improves. That’s the way that it is there. Of course, the Philippines has lots of great stuff to offer and that’s why 400k-500k Americans are currently living there for at least part of the year. Now if you know someone important in the city (mayor, governor, barangay captain, police, etc….your stuff will be expedited without question whether your papers are complete or not.
Perhaps companies and organisations should introduce TQM systems. incorporating SOPs and standardised administration that they train all staff in. That way. These problems could be reduced and eventually eradicated
I could probably design and implement tbe programs...but I am retired now 😂
I was married in less than 30 days in bulacan from when we decided to marry. It's not really bribes, but be willing to be generous to the preacher, the caterer, the wedding venue, and find a way to pay the local government office for some favor like making copies or getting a document in an expedited time frame.
We decided to marry June 10th, married June 29th, and we had our official marriage certificate with seal on July 20.
Make everyone feel appreciated with your attitude and your money.
I remember trying to jump through hoops to get married in Dumaguete years ago after a bit I was just over it and said we will just officially get married in the USA after doing a fiance visa instead of a spousal visa since my wife was coming to the USA to live with me. Best wishes Maya and Gio and God bless your family!
I'm living here for 6years , why is everything paper, paperwork, paperwork. It's crazy, Philippines makes it so hard for a forigner. Best of luck to both of you ❤❤❤
6 years there and you don't know the deal yet? Seriously, everyone knows that the Philippines bureaucracy is slow-moving, snail's pace. You chose to be there. Deal with it.
Maybe all the paper, paper, paper, and confusing way things are done makes it easier to hide corruption, or maybe all the different pieces of paper helps create jobs, need a person to print all those pieces of paper, and a separate person to verify each piece of paper, and a person to tell you that you are missing a piece of paper, and so on and so on, and each piece of paper costs you money. Or it could just be the "This is how we do it here" mentality and not admitting to problems. If you don't admit there's a problem, nothing will be done to fix it and make it better.
I've heard other vloggers say getting married is very difficult too. Thanks for sharing the details, so we can learn from the mistakes.. Hopefully it gets easier for you.
I''m Biblically married. No papers, ceremony or priest involved. Maybe Gods plan is the way of the future. It's the commitment between 2 people that matters. And in the end, nothing else matters.
Whom GOD has joined together, let no man seperate! Weddings performed under the authority of an apostate system means nothing.
I am of the opinion that marriage is not the purview of the Government. Up through the early 1900'S marriage was between a man, a woman and God and the state had nothing to do with it. Sometimes a church or synagogue was involved but in general practice marriage is sealed under the eyes of God and God alone. To involve the state is to invoke manipulation and control over you, to use marriage as some sort of tool against the man or the woman either in a census or in the law. When in TRUTH the Bible lays out the process for a union between a man and a woman because He created them to be together.
Every time the state is involved it creates problems in the short run and disaster in the long run. The STATES paper is worthless as more and more people get divorced than married these days. So what's the point? For women in the modern western world they want marriage so they are guaranteed financial support for the rest of their life. They are incentivized to break the contract to get money and move on to the next man and the next pot of gold. I understand in the Philippines they are more traditional but I still believe involving the state is a modern problem that the Philippines needs to avoid at all costs or they will see their society and culture destroyed just like the west.
Meaning, more and more women will remain single and alone by imposing a state sanctioned marriage license as the only valid evidence of a marriage. If two people on an island want to be married they can make their promises to each other under God. He alone knows the heart of man and He alone will ensure the bond is maintained or not. I have known MANY people that are more happy and more committed to each other in every way that are NOT married than are married through the state.
Just about everyone married under the state are controlled by the state and eventually are divorced under the state. So I see no valid legal reason to push for a state sanctioned marriage in today's political and legal environment. There is NO advantage to the man or the woman to be married by the state. But there is great advantage if two souls are united under God.
I got married here in the Philippines twice. It was in olongapo and with the Navy assistance. The big problems came along when getting the Visa to go to the States.
I do sympathize with you both. I love the Philippines, but right from my first visit in 2014 I realised how hard everything was there to get done. The simplest things were difficult, the difficult things almost impossible. It is really hard for foreigners to understand why and how it can be like that. Anyway..good luck next time, and also with your future plans.
Congratulations to you both. Good luck on the process. Hopefully it will speed up very soon. ❤
I have been with my Filipina wife since 2010, we got married in 2017 have three children registered with PSO. We live in Australia wanting to move to Philippines for years.
My wife was previously married in Australia then divorced here.
The Philippines embassy in Australia declined sent back our report of marriage in 2017.
We are now getting a Cenomar, because my wife believes she never reported her previous marriage to the Embassy or Philippines.
Apparently if her previous marriage is not registered then she is single under Philippine law we have been told by Embassy now.
It is all mind boggling how crazy it all is. We have been told we can also use our Australian marriage certificate (even though it shows divorce in her side) for Balikbayan Visa at airport.
Even Migration consultants in the Philippines seem to not even know what to do 😂
It's a sign! You shouldn't get married!!!!!!
It's much better if you just have an understanding😊
Good luck to you both. I hope everything works out & you finally get the life you want. Just know I did even after all the problems I endured.
I am a man from the USA. I was married on Sept. 12th, 2022. Everything you said in this video, I had to go thru. I went back to city hall 4 times. I had problems at Immigration. It took almost 4 weeks to get my marriage certificate. Also I am a 68 yr. old man. Making me take the family planner course is a joke for older mature people. The government in the Philippines is very slow. They do not tell you everything at one time. They make you come back 3 or 4 times to get things done. They also charge you money every time as well. I think that is one reason why they do what they do here. It took me from July 1st 2022 until Oct. 5th to finally be married and get all the paperwork finalized.
Hope you guys get what you want. That being said your fiance has been in the PI for years, knows the proteclivities of the system he should know this even thought he gives advice on the PI.
My GF went to get her drivers license. She had to take a grab each way. She took the test and was told she failed by 2 points. She came back the next day and she failed by the same 2 points. I gave her 5000 pesos and she asked the person if she could help the people in the office maybe buy them lunch and she handed her the 5k and magically she got her license. That’s the Philippines at this point in time.
Im so sorry to hear that you bolth had to go thru all the frustrations on getting the marriage licence.Just hang in there,and keep trying.Hopefully you bolth finally get the licence next week.
The easier way was to bring her to the USA and get married here. I went to the appropriate office and picked up my license on the spot. I paid a minister to come to my house a few days later, and married us in our great room, right in my own home. I took Vangie back to the Philippines for a mock church wedding for the benefit of her friends and family, no license was needed. Everything was easy that way. She got to wear her wedding dress a second time and still tries to get two anniversary gifts each year. ha ha
Not married yet but I have used the cash approach on multiple occasions for numerous things.
Why don't Gio have his divorce decree on hand? Interesting
Not at all surprised. When my Filipina wife and I got married in Taguig we went through a very similar situation with roadblocks popping up constantly. Being a widow, I had to have any original death certificate from my late wife, which I thought the notarized Legal Capacity to Marry covered because I had to produce to secure that document. We actually used a lawyer to help submit all the documents and her secretary made multiple mistakes which we had to go through hell to correct. She gave me a Filipino middle name and my place of birth in the Philippines rather than USA. She used and initial instead of writing out my father’s full middle name. Misspelled my mother’s maiden name. I won’t bore you with even more mistakes that were not our fault. I had to produce my parents marriage certificate and both of their death certificates so they could be satisfied that their names on my birth certificate were, in fact, correct. I won’t go into whether or not the lawyer asked for additional money to grease the wheels. I think it’s a good thing that you are making expats who are thinking of moving to the Philippines that the legal system is very much 3rd world still. I love it here but I well aware now of walking softly when dealing with any government official or agency.
Hey Guys, still looking great together!!
Great video ya'll good luck in the future and congratulations!
We hired a lawyer and he took care of everything. We gave him all of our paperwork passports for pictures of passports all of our other paperwork and he got with no problems.
That's great advice Maya and Gio before you start the process everything you have to visit the local civil registry office in your place to verify and ask
for the requirements,
Best wishes to you guys. Glad you are making it through the process. Breathe deep, and peace out, you're in the Phillipines 🌴🌴🌴🐠🐡🍍🍍🍌🍌
We got married here in Valencia but for us it’s so very easy. It gone so smoothly. We just went to the Civil Registrar office one time and they gave us full information and we acquired it not even 1 week.. I have also a friend they got married in Valencia we have same story... Next time research for everything, so you are more informed. Good luck😊
You guys should pay a lawyer some pesos to get all the information needed or even get all the papers sorted for you.
Asking some other couples for advice was very far from the best approach and then to just wing it.
A lawyer might not charge you much to get it all done for you.
Well worth it to ask the lawyer for a fixed price for his/her services and what he/she can do for you.
NEVER EVER GET MARRIED IN THE PHILIPPINES....YOU WILL BE VERY SORRY....👍👍
Sounds like he's playing with you and not serious about marrying you.
I am so happy for you both!!!
I’m actually attending a wedding this weekend in Cebu. A buddy from New York is getting married to a wonderful girl. He paid 75K to a pastor who is supposed to take care of all paperwork. Let’s see how that goes.
Your video was so worth watching..all the information you provided was so very helpful...now I know what to look forward to..
He's got cold feet.
Lots of frustration. Different country, different laws, with personal biases involved.
The decree absolute should be the first thing you think of, I live in Dumaguete and got married in April 22. We went to the city hall to get the marriage licence and were told that we could not get the licence here because my gf at the time was from Bayawan, that is a 3 hour bus ride away, you have to get the licence from the filipina's barangay of birth. So beware, if you live here or anywhere else and your future wife is from another island, that is where you will have to go to get your licence. You will also have to get your marriage councelling on that island. Not a good idea to mention fixers on social media, asking for trouble..
I went to the City Municipality to get a list of Documents for Me(Foreigner) Her (Filipina) Original Seals on everyone of my documents from the U.S. in a sealed envelope! She was able to get my CENOMAR while I was still in the U.S. I got a Certificate to Legal Capacity Affidavit Here and Went to a lawyer's office and had it Notorized the same day, paid a small fee! Our Process was Easy Peezy! No Stress and No Hassle! We sat down on live chat and got everything needed before I flew to the Philippines! Good Luck!
Yes once you are divorced u will need your divorced papers
The Government probably knows more to the story.
Great info, Maya & Gio, 😉😎👍🏼❤️. I wish there was a way government agencies & businesses in the Philippines, could see how we’re way more efficient, and organized, compared to the Philippines. That, at least, they would understand “why” we speak up, roll our eyes, or let out a big sigh, when we have to deal with them. And maybe, just maybe, they will start improving their processes, instead of saying, “well, this is how we do it here”, 😒😒.
Why don’t they understand, how incompetent they make themselves look, when we ask, “is this the complete list?” And then we come back, they add more to the list??? Guys, I’m gonna have a hard time when I get there, aren’t I, 😉😎👍🏼??? But thanks to you, at least, I’ll be able to better prepared, to hold my tongue, 😉😎👍🏼.
My wife and I got married in Olongapo City (Subic Bay area) in February 2014. We didn't have any issues. We went to the City Hall and got a copy of the requirements. The biggest thing was getting a CENOMAR for my wife to be. And the document from the US Embassy that Gio mentioned. I also had an original copy of my divorce decree from California. The bottom line, once we returned about a week later, we applied for the license, paid the fees. City Hall told us to return in 10-days to receive the license. We returned on the 10th day and sure enough, we were issued the license. We got married on Valentines Day. I wish you both well.
Applying for our k1 visa they needed criminal history. I have a misdemeanor from 20 years ago and they needed the police report. I had to drive to my hometown 2 hours away to get it. They wanted more information 3 times... I eventually went and told them to print everything that exists on this case. Dozens of hours and frustration for something that wouldn't affect anything anyways... so I get everything, like 17 pages of reports, documents, receipts, police testimony, etc and I just send every scrap. Not good enough I guess, they needed the "original" police report.... I was frustrated beyond belief.
Filipino bureaucracy definitely has to be experienced to be believed! We had a 30 day window during my visit in July to secure the marriage license, arrange the wedding and make sure all the paperwork got filed properly after. Even after emailing with the local civil registrar in advance to ensure we had all the paperwork we needed ready to go, it still took two full days and three different municipal offices and a lawyer visit (for notarizing) to get everything in order. She lives in Kalawit on Mindanao and we got married in Tampilisan. Being the first foreigner wedding in the area in years certainly added a level of difficulty to making sure paperwork was in order as no one had recently processed a foreigner marriage license. It was definitely a frustrating experience but overall I found everyone very helpful...even when they were telling us stuff we didn't want to hear lol
Every Municipality Office has a printed list of requirements when applying for a Marriage Licence. This has to be specifically requested when visiting their Offices. Post-outbreak, documents (CONI, Birth Certificate, Divorce Decree) have to be Apostiled in the foreigner country of origin. This is quite a challenging process but there is no other (legal) way.
Congratulations on your soon to be marriage gio I got divorced years ago and I cnt find mine I have go government office and get mine
I shredded mine after 20 yrs thinking I would never get married again! I had to send for an official copy that cost me $30. But it was all worth it to be with my Beautiful Filipina!! Good luck to the both of you!!
I understand your frustration. my husband and I got married in the Philippines 43 years ago. all I needed was my birth certificate and my husband his birth certificate and his divorce paper and no we did not give them the original divorced paper. we give them the copy and that’s it but, come the problem when I was doing my papers to come to the United States. everywhere I go to the nbi office the ph passport they would say your going to the US you married an American can you give us some money for Merienda? I was so shock I can’t believe they have the nerve to say that to me,then I promise myself not till I become a United States citizen I will not come back to the Philippines.I will never have to deal with the philippine government ever again.
One lesson I always tell younger men is that “assumption is the mother of all fuck ups!” Yes, it’s a harsh statement but it’s intended to get their attention to always verify and KNOW something instead of assuming something. Hope the lesson took root.
Great lesson! Be polite! Offer gifts! Grease the palm…😂😂😂❤❤❤
Hard lesson learned: Bring everything and keep mouth shut. Only speak when spoken to. Leave your personal feelings home. You are in the PH and not in the US.
Congratulations on your marriage.
We had a big challange with the register in our town. But her rejecting us made our process quicker
I had the same issue with the divorce papers. Also, every municipality has their own rules and they will ask for more and more things because they don`t really have any standards.
I can’t remember exactly how it went down, but when we got married in Honolulu, we went down to city hall in the morning to get the marriage license and then went straight to the beach to met the pastor and got married.
Getting married in the Philippines is definitely a task list! My Filipina Fiancé and I have been working on getting all necessary documents gathered, so we can get married in mid-January, when I come to Rizal Province. Fortunately, her family has a friend that works in the Municipal offices, and he has been very helpful in instructing us in acquiring all of the documents we both need.
Gio, you should know by now, keep your mouth shut and let Maya speak for you both. They do not tolerate foreign attitudes.
Would it had been easier to fly to Thailand, Malaysia or Vietnam to get married?
No marriage no papers
Sorry guys. I know what you are going through. We had the same ordeal. We tried agusan del sur. Butuan and Davao. In my case they wanted a new copy of my birth certificate because the one I had was 2 years old. Flying to Central America to get a new copy was not an option. We used a fixer and everything went smoothly.
If divorced in USA, surely it needs international ´apsotille´ stamp, from whichever US(A) state secretary.
went through that when we got married. She had been living in Manila working and moved back to Province. So Ids did not match. Then She was born on a small island that caused a problem for the seminar. But it all worked out in the end. Been married over a year now. PS We did see an attorney to show all of our papers first that helped.
When divorce laws are allowed there, I hope no fault divorce is not allowed. If it does you'll lose the foreigner reason to travel there.
Sounds like the lady was doing her job. Following her procedures. Why show frustration at that?
Pay a fixer if they can provide you with al the legal documents and guide you through the process smoothly and swiftly. It makes life much easier. I really wish you get married soon. 🙏
Getting married in the Philippines seems like a horrible idea if your already from America
yEAH, I was in Dumaguete in 2012 to 2014. If you have the same name as another person who IS married this will cause you trouble. Yeah every freaking office in PH i went to, OMG they change what they demand. Even getting bank account. If no divorce then you had better have a proof of single paper from the US then take that to the US embassy in Manila to get yet another single paper. Also if your trying to register a marriage license in PH OMG good luck, They kicked me out of the Philippines foreigner affairs office and they said only filipino people allowed in the office waiting area, Also DO NOT get married in a different city in PH. This will only cause much more problems. Her local office will then need to communicate with the place you got married in so that city can then transfer your info back to her city.
We were married at the courthouse in Cebu 18 yrs ago..You need everything just right or they will not give you what you want..It's a lengthy process but I understand it..and we made it very legaL..I was married twice before and it took some digging to comply..Good timing because one month after we made us legal my wife got pregnant with our son..He was born in Bohol and now we have a daughter born in Arizona where we all live now..happily forever..
LOL disappointed with you Gio for making a rookie mistake. Congratulations to you two.
Gio I don't know how long you've been away from the US but govt bureacrats here are WORSE than they are in the Phils. Things have changed rapidly in recent years
Lol. Poor Gio. In the West he'd have ripped someone a new one and it would have resulted in him being taking care of or them answering to their supervisor in most cases.
Everyone always says you need a lot of patience in the Phillipines.
I think Paul "Old dog" went through a similar situation.
Hey guys yes I recently got married in lapu lapu its a patience contest.
They sent us on a paper chase at least 4 times then to the US embassy for a paper even after we had everything.
They really wanted money but I wasn't giving it to them.
Let the fiancee talk we just mess it up.
We finally got the license and gave it to a pastor he finished everything for 10000 peso and did the wedding a pastor makes it much easier
🤔
oh my Gio! I understand your frustration, but I thought you also understood the Filipino mindset. You can't slam doors and expect results! Maya, I am amazed by your patience! YOU ARE A JEWEL! Maybe you and Gio can start a marriage service.
No foreigner will truely ever understand the filipino mindest
I hope i can stay calm. I dont have a lot of patience
My Philipina and me went through similar problems. Next, we are still waiting for Homeland security for 2 of her children to get their passports to come to the states and be with us. Most of set backs they say were delayed because of covid. We been waiting soooo long. You guys are great couple, and you have beautiful Philapina.
I wonder what happens if you take the truly western approach of appealing to the incompetent agent's supervisor, then their boss, then the town council? Public servants should be accountable or be fired.
Filipina if you girls 👧 reading comments here make sure you are married to a retired foreigner if not! you just like the Davao province girl 👧 all she got after her German boyfriend died in the age of 94 all she got is a moped 🏍️ the German arrived in the Philippines age 65 the Filipina age in the 30’s that time.
Maya and Gio. I think in the Great State of Utah you can get married either over the internet. You can check into it. So it would be a USA Wedding if i heard correct. Monty
This is why it is important to learn the language in another country. This way, you would be able to understand what was truly said. Never trust what someone else says because they may not be able to convey it to you correctly. Perhaps as a foreigner who has lived in the Philippines long enough should understand the words sorry I misunderstood even if you did not misunderstand when dealing with officials.
Don't forget to get a Toblerone for Maya too. (hers should be bigger than the others.) Just saying.
Absolutely 😊
Mark from Every Man Has A Story vlog had a similar story on his efforts get to get married in the Phils. In addition to having to negotiate red tape in a corrupt third world country, you also have the specter of a nativist bureaucrat denying the license due to rank prejudice.
I always tell folks to get married in a foreign locale like Hong Kong or Dubai, and then, bring the paperwork to the Philippine embassy there and apply for a change of status: easy peasy and much fewer hoops to jump through.
Just wonderin, can't you just get plane tickets to the USA or where ever Gio is from, fly to his country, and get married there. Then come back as a married couple? Wouldn't that be easier or more difficult? Las Vegas is easy to get married. Happens everyday.
If you think that is bad you should try getting a driver's license in Florida. My Mom had to renew her driver's license here in Florida she has been in Florida over 30 years. My Dad died of Cancer. Mom went to renew her License and they told her she had to have. Wait for it. Proof she was not from another country. New SSI card not worn or used has to be new. Proof of where she was born with a new birth certificate. Proof she had her Driver's License in the state she was born if she had one. Proof of who her Mother and Father are. She also had to have my Dad sign a form to show proof he was married to her, and he had a Florida License. Dad is dead lol. Then she had to have a copy of my Dad's death and how he died. To get all this info she had to pay the DMV and the Courts from the State she was born in and the SS office. Then she had to pay for all that to be sent to her address in Florida . Now while my Mom was going through all this there was a Judge PO because they were making him do the same thing and he was the Judge in the same County he was trying to renew his License.
If there is one thing ive learned as an ex pat living and married to a filipina is dont ever confrint the incompetence of an official here as they cant take a truth and you will pay by them delaying what you require. This applies to all, immigration, the marraige applications, LTO etc.
It has nothing ti do with being polite but proving they are incompetent.
Documents, if it require 2 copies get 6 instead.
Basically we foreigners have to kiss Ass
Maya and Geo thanks for sharing. ❤ You will be married be for you know it. Keep the great videos coming😊
Don't worry Gio. I'm sure the lady was just jealous that you were marrying Maya and not her. What a bummer but it is a huge decision and on a hot day I would find it frustrating also. Wishing you well from here on up to the big day Maya. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a mission alright. As said the goal posts keep moving with paperwork required.
Got married here in the Philippines in march.
Davao office required sooo many things we gave up, went to caburan and got married two days later with the SAME PAPERWORK go figure
Thanks for the advice, choclate is the way! haha, but yes ill bring some!
It works 😊
Gio, Gio, Gio... you have been in PH soooo long, you know how the system works, it's best to 🤐 best of luck to you & Maya
Actually in Los Angeles county sometimes the official divorce records are so bad they note that these are the best official available copies!
Gio got stung by his own neglegence.
Ouch on your wedding plans.
If u marry in another country it may be easier to divorce if needed. Sometimes in the US it is good to divorce to protect the spouse from some financial problems.
Adding more requirements is what inconsiderate people, or people seeking bribes do.
After you are married, take toblerone to all the troublemakers coworkers and NOT to her. Do that for a couple years at Christmas to rub it in.
Gio Are Serious About Marrying This Beautiful Woman? If you're serious about marrying this lovely, you need all your documents and original copies. And be polite to the people. And follow the laws. Good Luck Please Be Polite👍