Two Main Paths
🇺🇸 K-1 Fiancée Visa (USA)
- • Bring her to the US, marry within 90 days
- • Processing: 8-14 months
- • You must have met in person
- • She can work after arrival
🇵🇭 Marry in Philippines First
- • Get married in Philippines
- • Then apply for CR-1/IR-1 spouse visa
- • Longer process but she arrives as spouse
- • Better for some situations
Getting Married in the Philippines
1. Get Your CENOMAR
Certificate of No Marriage — proves she's single. From Philippine Statistics Authority.
2. Get Your Legal Capacity to Marry
From your embassy in Manila. Proves you're single and eligible.
3. Marriage License Application
Apply at the local civil registrar. 10-day waiting period.
4. Register the Marriage
Civil ceremony at city hall OR church wedding. Both are legally recognized.
Cultural Expectations
Meeting the Family
You MUST visit her family before proposing. Bring pasalubong (gifts). Ask her father's blessing.
Pamamanhikan (Formal Proposal Visit)
Traditional visit where your family formally asks her family's permission. Bring more pasalubong!
Wedding Expectations
Filipino weddings can be large. Discuss budget and expectations openly. Church wedding preferred by most families.
💡 Important Notes
- • The Philippines has no divorce — marriage is taken very seriously
- • Both of you must be physically present in the Philippines for the ceremony
- • Annulment exists but is expensive and difficult