To be honest I’m lazy doing this. I filed my ROM after I received my green card before our 1st year anniversary of marriage. It seems like an extra task however this is important in order for our marriage here in the US be reported to the Civil Registrar of the Philippines through Phil. Embassy having jurisdiction over the locality where the wedding took place. See on→ Phil. Embassy Jurisdiction Finder to determine which consulate the state of your wedding venue being covered. In my case is the Philippine Consulate in LA.
This also serve the purpose of renewing our passport using married name and if we plan to become a dual citizen.
[Related Post: My K1 Visa + AOS Timeline]
[Related Post: ROM Part II via Outreach Program]
Requirements:
As always, refer to → Report of Marriage List of Basic Requirements from Phil Embassy site. And then from here, I created my own checklist applicable to my case and have it mail to the Phil Embassy. Take note that filing a ROM by mail, accomplished ROM form should be notarized – However even though I am filing it through mail – I took the risk of submitting my accomplished ROM without notary since the original marriage certificate itself is already notarized. Here are the requirements I submitted.
- Cover Letter Submitted to the Consular Section. See my ROM Sample Cover Letter.
- 4 original filled-up ROM Form (without notary!)
- Note again that it should be notarized when submitting through mail, I just took the risk because I heard some LA filer submitted theirs without notary, let’s see if it will work for me too!.
- Click here for sample filled-up ROM form
- Computerized or handwritten is ok
- Use blue or black ballpen if handwritten
- Wives should indicate maiden name as the last name
- 1 Original and Certified True Copy of Marriage Certificate
- 4 Photocopies of Marriage Certificate
- 4 Photocopies of Passport (Filipina Spouse)
- 4 Photocopies of Passport (US Citizen Spouse)
- 4 Photocopies of my Philippine Birth Certificate (Filipino spouse)
- Self-addressed return envelope, with stamps
- Processing Fee: $25 cash in a small envelope, money order is also acceptable made payable to “Embassy of the Philippines”. Personal Check and credit card are not acceptable
- Additional Requirement:
- Notarized Affidavit of Delayed Registration (If the Report of Marriage is filed after 12 months of the date of marriage)
- 1 Original and 4 photocopies of divorce decree or annulment (if either one of the spouse was divorced or annulled before)
- 1 original and 4 photocopies of Death Certificate of deceased spouse (if Filipino spouse is a widower)
REPORT OF MARRIAGE REQUIREMENT
Hah! Ok now after 2 weeks of waiting, the verdict is in! They returned all my papers together with a note. It it a big big — Ouch! Oh well I expected this already! haha.. Lesson learned – ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RULE! 😉
Date Mailed: June 27, 2015
Date Returned: July 9, 2015
Result: REJECTED 😥 😀 😀
Note: If you apply ROM through mail, it will take about 2 weeks before you receive a response mail from Philippine Consulate whether it is Accepted or Rejected.
LA Consulate Note:
- All Duly Accomplished ROM Form should be notarized.
- Provide a self addressed stamped envelope or pre-paid courier envelope or Pay an additional $6 as mailing fee for their feedback mail.
ROM (Report of Marriage) without Notary was REJECTED!!! Ok Phil. General Consulate General, I shall return!
Important Note: Marriage must be reported within one year upon the solemnization of marriage to the consulate otherwise need to accomplish a Notarized Affidavit For Delayed Registration or Marriage.
Update 09/04/15: Notarization of 4 ROM forms cost $80 ($20 each) in our area in San Diego Ca. It’s kind of a pain so I will just wait for the LA Consulate Outreach Program in our area this coming November 2015. Although we already past one year – it’s still cheaper to have the Notary for Late Registration Explanation Letter (2 copies = $40) than having to notarized those 4 ROM forms for $80.
Some Useful Tips: File the ROM immediately after the wedding. I heard some ROM filers who filed their ROM right after the wedding didn’t require notarization through mail. Might as well just give it a try. There’s no harm in trying. If it didn’t succeed you still have a lots of time to have the ROM forms notarized or wait for Outreach program near your area to file the ROM without cost.
Disclaimer: I am no expert and wrote this only base from my experience, requirements may vary depend on your jurisdiction. Always check the latest requirements on this site → Report of Marriage of Filipino Abroad and check which consulate jurisdiction you belong at → Phil Consulate Jurisdiction Finder.
itsdonnasdiary.com 
Hi sis, ask ko lang bakit may additional $6 ?
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Hi Rose, Thanks for stopping by! $6 is a mailing fee for their feedback mail to you or you can provide a self-addressed-stamped-envelope or pre-paid courier envelope. I did provide a self-stamped envelope but they still use the one with $6, so by this time I will just provide $6 for their feedback mail.
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sis ask ko lang anung klaseng form of report of marriage ang send mo? yun ba yung 2 pages? saka yung 2 pages na yon ang ipapa notarized or yung last age lang non.
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Hi ehm! Thanks for stopping by. Nope I don’t have my own 2 pages Report of Marriage Form, I use same Report of Marriage from Phil Embassy site that everybody is also using. Click this link for Phil Embassy Report of Marriage Form ⇒ http://bit.ly/1KzmNcQ
If you are going to notarize your ROM filled-up Form, the second page will be the extra paper from the notary office you will going to have your ROM form notarized or if they can put the notary elsewhere on the ROM form itself then no need the extra paper for the notary.
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Hi Donna! Do I need Notarized Affidavit of Explanation for delayed registration even we do it in their consulate outreach? Thank you!
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Hi Stef, thank you for stopping by. Yes you will be needing a Notarized Affidavit for delayed registration if you haven’t report your marriage after 12 months upon the wedding date, even though you will submit it through Outreach Program. That’s what we are also planning to do since we are already late as well in filing our ROM.
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Hi, I am just curious did you submit copy of Marriage Record? because it is one of the requirement and I am not sure where to get that :d.
tia-
Iza
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Hi Iza, I am not sure what is Marriage Record? Do you mean Marriage Cerificate?
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hi sis! ask ko lang sana yung sa noatrized affidavit of delayed application of ROM.. weve been married for a month.. so akala ko hindi pa kami magpapasa. nagcheck ako sa website ng pcg NY at sabi if filed more than 30 days e kelangan na ng affidavit. so ngayon confused na ako kung ano yung susundin ko? hehe.. thank you! 🙂
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Hi yanfs thanks for stopping by. Oh that’s first time I heard it, I knew it was pass 12 months of the date of marriage and you have to file Affidavit of Delayed Registration, see this link http://bit.ly/1Ocm8zL under Additional Requirements. Anyways, If your consulate jurisdiction required it, might as well accomplish one so your ROM Application will be surely processed.
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i went to notarized my ROM from kanina but they said hindi daw need e notarized kasi wala naman nakalagay sa form. just want to ask kung which part ng form nag fill up ang nag notary ng form mo? tnx sa reply in advance 🙂
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Hi Richel, Same with our case, the person who do the notarization says there’s no space on the paper for notary instead they can do it on separate paper $20 each. I called LA Consulate – they said its fine to do the notary on the separate paper and attached it to the filled-up ROM forms. I think it will be the same for you. However I find it such a pain to have 4 notarized ROM forms (total of $80) so we just decided to wait for the outreach program in our area and have just only 2 (atleast $40) notarized for affidavit of late registration.
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Thank you for the reply Donna. Were living na dito kasi sa south Carolina malayo talaga sa LA at hindi kami under sa jurisdiction Nila kasi kinasal kami sa las vegas, kaya were going to send it thru mail na lang talaga.you have any idea kung how many copy ang dapat e submit na affidavit for delayed registration ng report of marriage?
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Hi Ms. Dona, ask ko lang ano reason ginamit mo for delayed registration of marriage?
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Hi Rose, Thanks for stopping by. One reason is we got denied on our first application and second is I always feel dizzy and sluggish due to pregnancy that I could not do any paper work.
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Hello! Thanks for the tip! it’s very helpful. I hope you’re still awake to response to my inquiry. I am the US Citizen husband and my wife has school tomorrow so I am planning to this myself. Do you know if the US citizen husband can report the marriage or does it have to be the filipina wife? I’ve been trying to call them but they don’t answer. Let me know if you know anything. thank you for blogging 🙂
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Hi Tai, Thanks for stopping by. As per what I know – All applicants must personally appear at the Phil Consulate during registration. Or you can mail all the requirements with notary on all 4 ROM filled-up forms. Are you going to go at Philippine Consulate itself or at the Outreach Program?
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hi Donna just wanna ask if may idea ka kung how many copy ang dapat e submit na notarized ng affidavit of registration of delayed of report of marriage? thank you.
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Thank you for the reply Donna. Were living here in South Carolina kasi at under kami sa jurisdiction ng Washington DC na Phil. Embassy, kaso we got married sa las vegas na under naman sa Phil. Embaasy ng LA kaya were going to send it thru mail na lang talaga kasi sobrang layo sa amin.You have any idea kung how many copy ang dapat e submit na affidavit for delayed registration ng report of marriage?
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I think it’s two copies of notarized explanation of delayed registration, you can call LA consulate to verify, thanks.
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Hi, your site is really helpful and thank you for sharing your experiences. I hope you can help me with my concern. I would like to know where exactly should I address my Report of Marriage since I am from Miami Florida. I notice on the website, Florida is under Consular Jurisdiction of Washington DC however, there are also Philippine Consulate in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. I tried calling the contact numbers provided but I cant get through.
Also,one of the requirements is photocopy of my passport but my passport have been expired last August 17,2015. I still have to renew it and change of name due to marriage. Is it possible that I can use my on hand expired passport to suffice the requirements?.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you very much.
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Hi Janice, glad my blog is been helpful for you. Basically the determination of Consular Jurisdiction is based on your wedding venue not on where you are residing. If you got married in Florida state – your Consular Jurisdiction is Washington DC or since they do have in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida based on the jurisdiction finder website, but when I clicked it » it is still directing me to the Washington DC state. So I am not sure of the Ft. Lauderdale one. You can call the Washington DC Consular Section to verify. Or you can go to their Outreach Program on your area to save cost. I see there’s schedule for Miami Florida Outreach Program this coming Dec 5-6, 2015. Or you can look for more Outreach Program schedule on this link. http://bit.ly/1EFOdP4
Outreach Program is on the right side of Washington DC consular site for more information.
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Hello Donna once again thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I’m so glad that I found this site of yours before I filed my ROM, it really helped me a lot. From your experience I got an idea to avoid rejection.
Right now I am done with ROM. The process was very fast. First I went to Bank of America and they notarized my affidavit of explanation for delayed registration for FREE however they couldn’t notarize my ROM form because there’s no space for the notary. Instead, I went to Fed Ex across the bank and found a notary and they are charging $8/page( thank god). If I would have known that I could have just write a statement for notarization at the back of ROM form that I printed and have it signed and sealed with the Licensed Notary ( the Licensed Notary at Fed Ex was very wise hehehehe ) the notarization should been free at the Bank of America. Well all of my documents are filed completely and I’m so happy, I have no complain and no problem with it ( I used the checklist of documents from your Consulate Note 🙂 ). I sent it to the Embassy last September 14, 2015 and they processed it on 9/24/15 then the Consul sealed my ROM on 10/06/2015. After less than a week I received the self-addressed-stamped envelope ( that was pretty quick ). The Embassy sent me back My Marriage Certificate and sealed ROM form with attached notice: This serve as your ORIGINAL ROM contracted abroad of Filipino Citizen. After approximately 6 months, you may obtain an authenticated copy of Marriage Certificate at NSO through http://www.census.gov.ph or http://ecensus.com.ph
I am sharing my experience because this may help other Filipino who are undergoing the same process for ROM. Just like you Ms. Donna I like to help those who doesn’t know much about the process and the documents needed. Once again thank you so much. May god bless you always and your family.
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Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience Janice. Appreciate it a lot! 🙂
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Hi Janice — just wanted to ask if both you and your husband were present when you were getting the notarization? Thanks in advance 🙂
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Thank you for this such a very informative blog. It helps me a lot. 🙂
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San makikita yung paper for notarization para sa R.O.M. sis..so bale 4 pcs din na notary yon..saka sang consule kaba sa L.A.?
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Hi ehm, you can find the paper for notarization on the notary office itself where you want to notarize your ROM forms or as I’ve said before – they can have the notary anywhere on the ROM form itself so you don’t have to add additional paper for the notary. LA Consulate is at this site http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/
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sis do u have sample of notarized form.tnx! and im planning to notarize it at postal annex so that when i go there its all complete .tnx! and ok lang ba na gawing one process yung R.O.M and renewal of pp.
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Hi ehm, as you read my blog – I haven’t done with my ROM yet because I find notarization at postal annex in our area very expensive so I don’t have sample in my record for now. You can probably request sample of notarization at the postal annex office when you inquire with them personally.
As for processing of ROM and passport renewal at the same time? Hmm, that’s a good idea. It would be nice if you can process those at the same time! You may inquire the consulate you are covered to verify if you can.
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Oh tnx sis! btw eventho im trying to call the consulate they dint answer the call and still they gonna send you the link of their website which is not im lookin’ for..
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Oh sorry to hear that. Nonetheless, try to process your ROM and pp renewal at the same time. it might be possible. Let me know how does it goes! Thanks!
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hi ms.donna.can i have a sample of your covering letter to the consulate..and wat did you write on the reason for the delayed reg…and how many copies of affidavit they need.tnx!
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Hi ehm, Links of Sample ROM Cover Letter is at the first bullet of the Requirements and the Affidavit of Delayed Registration is at the first bullet of Additional Requirement of this blog. The reason I wrote for delayed registration is private on our side and is not for public disclosure. Don’t worry too much about the reason, you can tell the truth based on your own scenario and they will still surely process your application. Regards.
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Hi Ms.Janice, i would like to asks if you submit a photo passport pictures na 4pcs. at si husband with white background..tnx!
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Yes I did. 4pcs each
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sis.ilang stamp ba ang ilalagay sa envelope for report of marriage…
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only one self-addressed-stamped envelope is enough.
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finally natapos din ang r.o.m and r.ob. at passport at the same time…tnx sa nagshare..
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Hi! I would just like to ask some questions. For the residence part po of the ROM form, should I use the address of where my husband and I grew up in? or our current address?
Also, I am very confused with the self addressed envelope. I am filing for a new passport as well to change my name to my married name. So I would have to give them a padded envelope so they can mail it to me. I understand that the envelope should have my address, but should it have the address of the embassy as well because how would we know how much to pay for postage?
Thank you very much! I hope you can help me. Thank you! God Bless po!
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Hi Nicole, Thanks for stopping by. You can use the address where you are currently living. For the self addressed stamped envelope, you should provide an envelope with an address where you want your documents to be mailed back however this confuses me too, I provided one but the Phil consulate used another envelope to mail me back with $6 which I didn’t pay for that. So it order not to confuse you much,if you are sending your ROM through mail – just insert an additional $6 as mailing fee and they will take care of it. Hope I answered your questions.
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We would be filing in person since I have to apply for a new passport as well.
Thank you very much Ma’am!
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If you are applying in person I don’t think you need self addressed mail. Maybe next time kindly read the whole blog before asking question so we could save both our time. Thanks.
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I did read the blog ma’am. I just did not know if you know anything about the passport application as well because that needs a self addressed envelope too. Thanks! 🙂
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Oh cool! I’m not yet done on my passport renewal. Let me know how it goes. Thanks
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This is very informative! Thanks Donna. I was just searching for cover letter as I prepare my ROM form and I saw this. So very helpful. I just have one question: where in the site (http://www.philippineschicago.org/index.php?page=consular-services-chicago/faq-chicago/#marriage) indicate about the late registration? I saw one but it’s about late registration of BIRTH. I just want to double check. I’m anxious to know because some say to file/report the marriage on the first month or else, i need to file the affidavit. I don’t see that either. So, ano ba tlaga ang timeframe to report and file for marriage?
TIA!
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Hi good day Donna! I heard wells fargo does notarize for free if you have an existing account there. You think its possible that my Philippine documents, like birth certificate, can be notarized by wells fargo? – I know its kinda odd – a Phil doc notarized by a US govt
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Hi Kat, thanks for your suggestion. About Philippine documents that can be notarized by US government? Not sure about that. Sorry. I will try to find time to research about that.
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I don’t have my original birth certificate, do you think the phil embassy will accept a notarized birth cert of me by wells fargo?
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Hi Kat, I don’t have my original birth certificate with me either, what I used is my BC authenticated by NSO.. Yeah, try your BC authenticated by Wells Fargo, Phil. Embassy will probably accept it. Let me know how it goes, thanks.
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Hi… Donna. So you can still apply for adjustment of status even di ka pa na kaka report of Marriage ? What surname ang ginamit mo sa application ? kasi i am confused. USCIS said na I have to use my legal name which is my name nung nasa PInas pa ako.
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Hi Ve, thanks for stopping by. Yes you can apply AOS, EAD and AP even you haven’t filed ROM yet. They are separate application and has nothing to do with each other. As for your surname, your married name is now your legal surname. I used my married name I declared on my marriage certificate when I applied AOS. Make sure to use the surname you declared on your marriage certificate and submit also a copy of your marriage certificate for proof of name change.
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Hi, ok Lang ba na pumunta Sa consular outreach Sa San Diego kahit Hindi nagpaschedule Ng appointment? Meron kc silang outreach next month Sa San Diego October 29 & 30
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Hi Carol, thanks for your message. Nope, I think they only entertain the ones with appointment.
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Hi anyone can tell me kung pwede pagsabayin ung pagpprocess ng late ROM at Renewal of passport or change of name due to marriage. Thank”s a lot
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Hi Arlyne, I think you can process both of them at the same time.
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Hi Donna, me and my husband are both Filipinos and we just got married here in US. Can we report our marriage in the Philippines instead or we have to do it in the Philippines Consulate here in US?
In case we’ll report it here in US, do we still need to set an appointment with the Phil. Consulate?
Thanks in advance.
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Hi May, Thanks for stopping by. Did you enter in US on a K1 Visa and your Filipino husband is a US Citizen? or just happen to marry here in US and will plan to go back in Phils soon? Sorry for not understanding the question.
If you are going to Phils. Consulate itself, I think no need appointment. Hope I answer your question correctly.
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Hi Donna, sorry to get you confused. we are both Filipino and none of us is a US citizen. We just chose to marry here (Las Vegas). We are going back to the Philippines soon since our 6 months allowable stay will expire soon. We both hold tourist visa. Thanks
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Thanks for clarification. And Congratulations and Best Wishes to both of you.
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Having said that, allow me go back to my question, should we report the marriage here in US while we are still here, or just do it in the Phils.?
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Hi May, sorry I missed to look on your message, for some reason it didn’t pop out on my notification. Anyways, I think it would be better if you file your ROM here in US while you are still here. You can do walk in at Phil. Consulate to where the Las Vegas jurisdiction belongs, it’s easy – I think that is in LA. Tc and Congratsy again.
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Hi Donna if late ba naireport ang ROM you need both Affidavit for delayed registration and explanation? thank for the responce in advance. .
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Hi Naomi, Thanks for stopping by. Affidavit of Delayed Registration is the explanation why you are late in ROM.
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Hi sis, ask ko lang, Iaaccept ba nila yung docs ko kahit saang Notary Public ako nagpa notarize? sa banks daw kasi free if you are a customer, dun ko balak
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Hi Athena, thanks for stopping by. You can have your notary anywhere.
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Hi Donna! I found your site, it’s very helpful! Especially now that we will be sending our ROM tomorrow. I have a question about the requirement for annulled or divorce spouse. Since my USC husband is divorce before, do we need to include copy of his divorce paper?
Thanks!
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Hi Jo, Thanks for your kind words. We have 0 experience about divorce paper, it’s probably ok to include your hubby’s divorce paper to make sure. Congratulations to both of you.
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Thank you Donna!
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Hello. My wife and I will celebrate our 1 year anniversary this week on March 18th.
We just now became aware of the Report of Marriage.
Is there anything to be worried about with us filing it this close to our 1 year anniversary or maybe even after the 1 year? or do we just include the affidavit of delayed registration and all is well?
Referring to it affecting her green card status, or if it only affects our passports if we were to travel outside the us.
my wife came here on k1 visa.
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Hi Eric, thanks for stopping by. ROM doesn’t affect the green card, it’s a separate paper work to report your marriage in Phil NSO that you guys got married here in USA and also in able for your wife to use her married name in her passport. We are also 1 year delayed on our ROM and pretty much Notarized Affidavit of Delayed Registration of Marriage is needed if you already passed 1 year of your wedding anniversary and other requirements that goes with ROM Application. See this link for more info. http://bit.ly/2FFv9T8
With regard to travelling outside the country as long as her passport is not expired she should be good, just use the name on her passport in buying ticket, it happens to me before as well before applying ROM.
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