Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:23 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:54 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:18 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:12 pm

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 1:53 pm

Have you actually completed the legal application for a Foreigner to Marry a Cambodian Citizen with the MoFAIC and MoI and received the approval to marry letter?

On the list …

He most probably just issued 'proof of celibacy' which is no permission for you or her to get married together or to have the celebration. Watch your steps and thread carefully, you won't be the first to have your party interrupted because of lack of approval / documents.

Permission for marriage is issued by the Ministry of Interior and the marriage certificate is issued by the Sangkat, not the village chief.

My wife (and her entire family) is assigned logistics on this mission ... but thanks for that, will send it up the chain for action.

I think she knows. I can't imagine it was NOT brought up in the discussion with the village chief. If local village chiefs are anything, they're scared to make a mistake and are corrected by someone higher up the ladder.
If you and your wife's family are planning a public party make sure all the boxes with the authorities, including the Sangkat and the (military) police are checked.
Don't assume anything, but check with your wife and her (entire) family.

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 7:11 am ...cause I have no idea what’s going on in my wife’s Khmer brain 80 % of the time … always an adventure … but she is adorable to be sure.

Since you don't have a clue about her thoughts most of the time you better check.

Freightdog wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:32 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:12 pm

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 1:53 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:57 pm I’m at the family compound now … chillin’ … just met the village chief to get proper permission to marry one of his … thumb stamp signatures were involved.

[edit- insert image of shirtless male*]

Have you actually completed the legal application for a Foreigner to Marry a Cambodian Citizen with the MoFAIC and MoI and received the approval to marry letter?

On the list …

You might just be getting a permission slip for an expensive party if you’ve tried to circumvent the ‘system’

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:34 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:23 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:54 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:18 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:12 pm

On the list …

He most probably just issued 'proof of celibacy' which is no permission for you or her to get married together or to have the celebration. Watch your steps and thread carefully, you won't be the first to have your party interrupted because of lack of approval / documents.

Permission for marriage is issued by the Ministry of Interior and the marriage certificate is issued by the Sangkat, not the village chief.

My wife (and her entire family) is assigned logistics on this mission ... but thanks for that, will send it up the chain for action.

I think she knows. I can't imagine it was NOT brought up in the discussion with the village chief. If local village chiefs are anything, they're scared to make a mistake and are corrected by someone higher up the ladder.
If you and your wife's family are planning a public party make sure all the boxes with the authorities, including the Sangkat and the (military) police are checked.
Don't assume anything, but check with your wife and her (entire) family.

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 7:11 am ...cause I have no idea what’s going on in my wife’s Khmer brain 80 % of the time … always an adventure … but she is adorable to be sure.

Since you don't have a clue about her thoughts most of the time you better check.

Triple checking ...

Freightdog wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:36 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:34 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:23 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:54 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:18 pm

He most probably just issued 'proof of celibacy' which is no permission for you or her to get married together or to have the celebration. Watch your steps and thread carefully, you won't be the first to have your party interrupted because of lack of approval / documents.

Permission for marriage is issued by the Ministry of Interior and the marriage certificate is issued by the Sangkat, not the village chief.

My wife (and her entire family) is assigned logistics on this mission ... but thanks for that, will send it up the chain for action.

I think she knows. I can't imagine it was NOT brought up in the discussion with the village chief. If local village chiefs are anything, they're scared to make a mistake and are corrected by someone higher up the ladder.
If you and your wife's family are planning a public party make sure all the boxes with the authorities, including the Sangkat and the (military) police are checked.
Don't assume anything, but check with your wife and her (entire) family.

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 7:11 am ...cause I have no idea what’s going on in my wife’s Khmer brain 80 % of the time … always an adventure … but she is adorable to be sure.

Since you don't have a clue about her thoughts most of the time you better check.

Triple checking ...

Do a search on the forum. There’s plenty of reading material

Kammekor wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:38 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:35 pm

Nah ... this is 100 percent legit ... by the numbers ... by the book ... my legal team is involved ... but thanks just the same.

If this is 100% legit you better find another activity for X-mas eve.

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:46 pm

Freightdog wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:36 pm
Do a search on the forum. There’s plenty of reading material

Already done it …

Freightdog wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:53 pm

Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:46 pm

Freightdog wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:36 pm
Do a search on the forum. There’s plenty of reading material

Already done it …

I’m curious-
How long have you been planning this, and how many times have you visited the MoFAIC offices in Phnom Penh?

PSD-Kiwi wrote: ↑Sat Dec 09, 2023 6:56 pm @Fridaywithmateo it appears you haven't actually got a clue what's going on do you...you would know if the legal process had been done or was in the process, because you would have gone through all of the below. What is likely happening is that your wife's family are getting permission to hold an engagement (promise to marry) ceremony, this is in order to save face. If the Sangkat Chief is indeed giving permission for a marriage ceremony to be held, your marriage will not be legally recognised, as all marriages between foreigners and Cambodians require authorisation from the MoFAIC and ultimately the MoI.


MARRIAGE PROCESS BETWEEN FOREIGNER & CAMBODIAN CITIZEN:

STEP 1: COLLECT APPLICATION FORM
Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MoFAIC) in Phnom Penh and obtain the application form and lists of required documents. This is all received at the counter labelled with the Khmer word for marriage ( អពហពពហ ), no money will be requested when receiving these documents.


STEP 2: GATHER REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION & SUBMIT TO THE MoFAIC
You will need to present the following to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

Foreign Partner;
1."Application for foreigner to marry Khmer citizen" (provided by MoFAIC)
2.Certificate of non-impediment/ single status or divorce/ex-spouses death certificate from your country of citizenship.
3.Letter of permission to marry from your country’s embassy.
4.Criminal record check from your country of citizenship
5.Passport with valid multi-entry Visa Extension of Stay, minimum 6 months validity remaining on passport.
6.Proof of minimum USD$2500 per month income (Officially only foreign males have to meet this requirement)
7.Work permit/work book/business license if employed in Cambodia.
8.Pre-nuptial Medical certificate from Calmette Hospital (no older than 3 months)
9.2x passport photos

Notes: Documents must have been issued no more than 3 months prior to the date of application (except for 5 & 7).

Any document above which is not an original document from your country of citizenship or embassy must be notarised/certified from your nearest Embassy.

Cambodian Partner;
1."Certificate of celibacy, widowhood, divorce" (single status) from Sangkat
2.National ID card
3.Birth Certificate
4.Family Book and/or Carnet de Residence
5.Pre-nuptial Medical certificate from Calmette Hospital (no older than 3 months)
6.Letter of parental approval obtained from Sangkat (if available).
7.2x passport photos
Notes: Documents must have been issued no more than 3 months prior to the date of application (except for 2, 3 & 4).

Pre-nuptial Medical - The blood tests are for HIV, Hepatitis, and a few other diseases, chest x-ray is for TB – testing positive for any diseases does not prohibit you from getting married, but it allows your partner to decide whether they still want to. Cost from Calmette for the blood tests, x-ray and medical certificate is $136.13 per couple. You will need to take your passport/national ID card, as well as 2x passport photos per person. Go to the East Entrance along Preah Monivong Blvd and ask at the information desk. Keep in mind that tests must be conducted on business days and that processing can take 3 business days, not including weekends and holidays.

MoFAIC Notes:
- Opening Hours 0700 – 1130 – Lunch Break – 1400 – 1730. It is advisable to arrive early.
- Enter the compound via the side entrance on the left-hand side of the building. The guards will not allow you to enter through the front. There is a guard hut where you and your partner will have to show ID (passport and ID card), and they will give you a visitors pass. Follow the path towards the building and enter through the furthermost entrance. There are several counters inside. The counter is the furthest to the right labelled with the Khmer word for marriage, អពហពពហ.
- There is an official fee of USD$125 to be paid when you submit your application & supporting documentation.
- Once the MoFAIC processes the documents which usually takes about 1-2 weeks, you will be issued a letter which you must submit with all of your documents to the Ministry of Interior.


STEP 3: SUBMIT APPLICATION TO THE MoI

- Do not go to the Main Ministry of Interior compound. You need to go to an office called “National Committee to Lead the Suppression of Human Trafficking, Smuggling, Labour Exploitation and Sexual Exploitation in Woman and Children” (S.T.S.L.S), which is inside the General Department of Identification building in Chbar Ampouv.

- Opening Hours 0700 – 1130 – Lunch Break – 1400 – 1730. It is advisable to arrive early.
- Take all of your completed documentation and letter from the MoFAIC with you.
- As you walk in through the front door, the very first office on the left with the windows facing into the foyer is the first place where all of your documentation will be checked, and if anything is not in order they will inform you of what is required.
- Once everything is in order, you will pay the official $200 fee, which you will receive a receipt for, and then be interviewed by several people from different Departments of the MoI, mostly regarding things like how you met your partner, how long you’ve been together, have you travelled together on holiday, how long have you lived/been travelling to Cambodia, what is your job, family members names and contact details, what are your plans, do you plan to take her overseas and exploit her, etc. You will be asked to fill out a parental information form (foreign partners parents names, DOB, address, phone numbers, etc).
- The interviewers may request tea money, this is entirely your choice whether you pay this, and may possibly affect the length of time for receiving back your documents.
- Once everything is in order, it can take anywhere between 2 to 4 months before you receive the Letter of Authorisation to marry from the MoI (make sure you keep this letter safe, it will be used in the future)
- When you go to pick up your documents, ensure you take the receipt you received when you paid at time of submission (only one of you needs to go), you will need to enter through the front entrance, past the elevators and through the courtyard (where the coffee shops and exercise area is) to the buildings straight ahead. Go to the right side of the building complex and take the stairs (you should be next to a carpark) up to the first floor. There are 3 rooms – first is an office, second a room which has a waiting area outside and the third room is the one you want. At the back righthand corner of the room is the desk to collect your marriage paperwork.


STEP 4: APPLY FOR OFFICIAL CAMBODIAN MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE AT SANGKAT:

- Once you have received the authorisation to marry letter from the MOI, you then take it to your partner's Sangkat in order to apply for your official marriage certificate, both partners need to go.
- This is expected to take 10 days, during which a notice of intent to marry will be posted in the Sangkat office and the Cambodian partners parents’ house.
- There is no requirement for a wedding ceremony to be held in order to be issued a marriage certificate.
- After 10 days, go back to the Sangkat, you will need to take 2 witnesses along to sign the marriage register alongside you.
- Receive Official Cambodian Marriage Certificate (1x Original, 3x Official Copies – all stamped, signed, etc.). Keep these safe, however, do not laminate them (or any other official Cambodian Government issued documents).
- The official fee is KHR20,000, but it is likely the Sangkat officials will request more.

- Get a professional translation as soon as possible to ensure everything is correct, if not then go straight back to the Sangkat to have it corrected.


OFFICIAL FEES:

For foreigners marrying a Cambodian citizen, the only official fees payable are;
- USD $125 fee paid to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on receipt of the documents. An official receipt will be issued.
- USD $200 fee paid to the MoI. The fee covers admin, interviews and background check costs. An official receipt is issued.
- KHR ៛20,000 fee paid to the Sangkat which issues the official Marriage Certificate. An official receipt is issued.

That's it!

Many people end up dealing with the wrong people and/or fixers and end up getting fleeced purely because the information on the whole process is not readily available and can be confusing. Don’t get conned by people like the securoity guards at the entrances to the Ministries, or random people you ask for directions from.