The more I look into the process of marrying in Quezon the more it makes sense to do it in HK. I've read a web page link about doing it and it seems pretty straight forward but add in the fact I live in UK and wife to be in Philippines I was wondering the procedure of submitting both sets of our paperwork and if it would be possible to get the whole thing done without having to spend a couple of weeks in HK ? If you have any advice or can offer any help or even know of a good website to read through we would appreciate your help. Update already...I now have the paper work downloaded and am completing it for return and have a question already. On page 2, Information required for registration of marriage, question 1 "Ways of submission" Is it "In HKSAR" or "Outside HKSAR"? Obviously we both live outside HK but just want to check which box I should be ticking?
If you are able to get a Monday morning appointment with the HK Registrar then you can theoretically have the ceremony on the Thursday of the same week. If your wife wants to have the marriage recognised by the Philippine authorities, she will have to attend the Philippine Embassy the next morning with originals and clear photocopies of both your Passports and Birth Certificates as well as the Certificate of Marriage. The Embassy requires time to prepare the package that your wife will need to show Immigration upon arrival in the Philippines and that time period can be up to 3 or 4 working days. So yes, it can take a couple of weeks but once you have completed all the formalities, you can get China Tourist Visas and take the train into China for a few days' honeymoon. Don't forget you will need to bring (at least) two witnesses with you when you actually marry. You are, of course, applying from outside HKSAR.
Thanks for that rapid reply Markham. Next question page 4, Marriage statistics. "Length of stay in HK." Options are: a) since birth. b) less than 1yr. c) 1 to 79yr. d) 80yr or over. e) unknown Of course I've never lived or even been there and will only be there for wedding. Is this question only applicable to residents of HK? Forget that last question, it's info on a "voluntary basis for statistical purposes" so I just ignored it. Is it necessary for my wife to register the marriage at Philippine consulate in HK, will that effect her application to join me as spouse in UK later on?
Just hit a snag.... Must send cheque for 305HKD. My bank, Nationwide will not issue a cheque only a transfer with SWIFT. Anyone gotten around this one before?
Any major bank should be able to issue you with a Manager's/Cashier's Cheque for HK$305 if you pay in cash. There will be a fee for doing this and the exchange rate may not be the best. I'd try HSBC first.
It won't affect the decision re3garding her visa since UKVI accept HK-issued Marriage Certificates with no problem (their entire system was established by Britain in the first place). But she may encounter problems with the CFO if she does the course as a married woman. I suggest she does the CFO course now as your fiancée and simply collects their vignette when her visa is issued.
Why would it be easier as a single woman, I would have thought that being single and using her maiden name would add complications once she is using my name?
Because she won't be in possession of an acceptable Marriage Certificate - CFO requires one issued by the PSA.
Forgive me for hi jacking this thread please guys , but I’m interested to learn the advantages or reasons to hold the wedding in Hong Kong instead of Philippines or UK . Appreciate any replies with info . Thanks .
This might help http://www.buffetjurisdiction.com/blog/article/why-we-chose-to-get-marri/ Divorce is certainly easier than Phil
I'm comparing HK over PH. So far paperwork is easier for us both. We will be combining wedding with Honeymoon. Probably works out slightly cheaper, apart from paying for hotels! Can be done within a week with luck. Their timings are pretty spot on, if they say 3 or 4 days they mean 3 or 4 days not 1, 2 or 3 weeks as you'll be told in PH. The best reason for me is that HK offices and departments respond to my email questions with answers normally within 24hrs, that will never happen in PH. My papers are on their way to HK as I type this, hope to get word back this week so I know date of wedding. My next question on this forum will be "what will be needed by my wife for her to register marriage with PH Consulate in HK and what is this process?"
OK, things are coming along nicely for me. Like I wrote in my last message, I am now thinking ahead about registering the marriage at the PH Consulate in HK.... "what will be needed by me and my wife for her to register marriage with PH Consulate in HK and what is this process?" I found some info on-line that states we need: Three copies of each plus originals: 1. Marriage cert, 2. Birth cert, 3. CENOMAR, 4. Passports, 5. Report of marriage form http://hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph/images/PDF/ROMform.pdf 6. My divorce cert, 7. 200HK$ Anything else folks?
Again thinking ahead about getting things done. My wedding in HK on 14th March, after that visit PH Consulate in HK to register marriage, she has arranged CFO for Feb. After Honeymoon we will be going back to PH for receptions then her work. I'll only be there for about a week before heading home. Is there anything else we should be doing in Manila as in informing government depts or registering/recording anything. After that I'll be home applying for her spouse visa.
You've covered all the bases, I think. Just be aware that the Philippine Embassy (in HK) may take several - as in up to four - business days before they hand your now-wife the bundle that she has to hand carry to Immigration in Manila.
Yes Markham, I've allowed plenty of time to deal with the PH Embassy in HK. What is it in Manila Immigration she'll be having to do? Is that as soon as she gets back into Country or is that when we start applying to her visa?
From memory, she simply needs to produce the bundle to the Immigration Officer in the Arrivals Hall at NAIA. At the same time she can request that you be granted a Balikbayan Privilege. I think they simply stamp the bundle cover-sheet and then hand it all back as your copy.