by: Robelyn Martinez Yambao Hola everyone! It's been awhile that I didn't do any writing in my site. Today, I am going to share with all of you my experience in getting married here in Costa Rica. I will tackle here about the documents that we submitted to the officiant of our civil wedding and how we plan our simple civil wedding in a very affordable way. How We Plan The WeddingWhen we arrived in Costa Rica, I was already pregnant to my second daughter. We were planning to have our baby here so, we immediately decided to look for an attorney for the civil wedding before our baby's birth. We don't speak Spanish so, it is so hard for us to communicate and find local attorney who can do the ceremony for us. At first, we looked online of some attorneys who can speak in English. But, they are so expensive. We inquired about fees and how they do it through email. We were so hesitant to trust someone that we don't know because they might scam us and waste our money and effort. Luckily, when our landlord visited us we asked him if he knows someone who can do the marriage and told him that we would be glad to give him a little amount for the help. He tried and he found one. We were so happy for his help and we didn't waste time anymore to book the date of the marriage. The DocumentsThe attorney were asking some documents from us to do the ceremony. The following documents are the one we submitted: 1. Xerox Passport (Both) 2. Cenomar (Certificate of no marriage) for me and Divorce Decree for my husband 3. Birth Certificate (Both) 4. Two Witnesses Documents a. Costa Rican friend - Cedula ID b. American Friend - Passport & Driver's License ID Note: All documents should be authenticated by your embassy. The CeremonyIt was just a simple ceremony. The officiant only read something on his papers we don't understand because it's all written in Spanish. When he instructed to kiss the bride that's the time that we realized it's done. After that, was the contract signing. The bride and groom will sign the papers and the two witnesses. We just had a simple lunch together like having a visitor at home. How long is the Processing of the Marriage Certificate?In our case, we got our papers after 6 months. Why? Because the attorney that we got didn't file the papers on time. The correct processing time is only 3 months before it will reflect on the Costa Rican System. You can check it online after two or three months. If you can't find your name that means your attorney didn't file it. TIPS: Trust only attorneys that recommended by your Costa Rican Friend. If something bad happened to your papers or you have complains about not in the system or why you can't find your marriage certificate in the system through online, you know where you find him and you can ask your friend to help you kick the ass of that attorney. Most Costa Rican attorneys are not reliable and they are so slow in processing papers or Should I say not doing their job properly? Be careful also with people who are asking too much fees. How to get a copy of your marriage certificate?After confirming that your marriage is already registered in the Costa Rica System through online, you can have a copy anytime by getting it in the TSE office personally or order the papers through their website. To know more about this topic, you can visit my article below: Getting a copy of a Costa Rican Birth & Marriage Certificate
I hope that this article is helpful for others and please share if you think this is informative. Thank you for reading!
1 Comment
How To File For IR1 or CR1 Visa? A Guide And Tips For Form I-130 Petition For Alien Spouse2/14/2019 by: Robelyn Martinez Yambao Hello everyone, Happy Valentines to all! Today, I am going to explain here how to file for spousal visa often called IR1 or CR1. What is the difference between the two? The IR1 is for Immediate Relative where the marriage already lasted more than two years when entering US. Otherwise, it will be called CR1 means "Conditional" when you file for the petition and just been married for less than two years or when your foreign spouse enters US with immigrant visa while you've been married less than two years. The green card will be "Conditional" meaning your foreign spouse will receive two years green card that needs to be removed the "conditional" status within 90 days before the expiration or before the two year anniversary of your spouse's entry into the US. Whatever, all you need to do is to file the petition first to be approved so you can apply for the visa processing. Here are the important steps you can make to get started! Steps in Filing Form I-130 (Preparation)First, you as a sponsor or petitioner, should download the Form I-130 at the USCIS website including the instructions on how to fill-out the form for your guide to avoid error and you should include the Form I-130A which is the Supplemental Information For The Spouse Beneficiary. Second, prepare your forms together with the required evidences: * Evidence of US Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residence or US National Status, * Evidence of family relationship, * Evidence of the bona fides of the marriage, * Evidence of termination of any prior marriages. Third, prepare also your proof of legal name change if you changed your name or used many aliases, Fourth, prepare two passport style photographs, Fifth, prepare $535 money or order or check. Primary Documents For Petitionerxerox of the following: * Birth Certificate * Passport Photographic page * Marriage Certificate with English Translation (if not in English) * Termination of prior marriage like divorce decree Evidences for bona fides of the Marriage* Communication through mails, cards, posts, or emails before and after marriage * Joint ownership of property * Lease showing common residence * Combined documents of financial resources * Birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse * Photos together before and after marriage with friends and family * Affidavits by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marriage * Any papers like tickets, hotel bookings that shows your trips together For more info:If you want me to assist you in filing your petition, just contact me. I will be happy to assist you for a small donation through paypal below: Contact Me!Comparing to agencies or attorney's fees, I will just ask for donation to help my website and guarantee a good result with these DIY guidance. It is so easy and simple! I will send you an easy to follow DIY guidance in filing your I-130 in pdf form. Thanks for visiting my site! Just leave a message in the comment section below. That's all for today! I hope you guys informed a little bit about this petition and see you again next time. Thank you! Go Back To "US FIANCÉ(E)/SPOUSAL VISA GUIDE" Page |
SUPPORT MY JOURNEYAuthorA licensed teacher in the Philippines who shifted her career into another direction to follow her passion to be a blogger. Her blogs are related in traveling and simple living as an expat in a foreign land. FEATURED ARTICLES |