A Few Stateside Questions & Thanks

[Hank]

I wanted to thank all of the people here that answered my many questions in the past. I had my Fiance arrive 12/23. We spent almost 3 weeks together and I am now back at work. I am so happy that she has arrived and that part of our journey is over. We will be getting married in Las Vegas, we do not have a date yet, a friend is a gambler so she gets comp rooms, we have to wait till later in the month when she will get the Feb. comps. I guess they only issue them one month at a time ?? We will make our reservations asap, we live in L.A. so it's a short drive or flight.

I have a question about the wedding, what documents will we need in Las Vegas Nevada ? I am guessing the the actual visa and her passport along with my ID ?

We are going to go Friday to get a Social Security card. I was given a link in a different post that showed she is work eligible. I have it printed. I was wondering if there is any other documentation that I need to take with us to verify that ? I was wondering also if you can make an appointment like at the DMV (for what it's worth) ?

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=576

She is going to start studying this week to get her learners permit, and then enroll in driving school. She is also going to look into what she needs to do in the state of California to get licensed - accredited as a civil engineer?   

I could not be any happier, and look forward to a long life together !!!
Thanks again to one and all  

[Jeff S]

Hi Hank and congrats on your journey so far.

I think the only thing you need to get married in Vegas is a couple of warm bodies who want to. It's notoriously easy. Go to the government office, show IDs, and get a license, then either go to the judge, or go to one of the chapels and have Elvis do the spiel. Maybe Stephen or Tess will see this and add something. They were married in Vegas a few years back.

As for engineering, if she wants to get registered as a PE some day, she'll need to take the EIT test and work for an engineering firm for at least five years then take the PE exam. There are no schooling requirements but you shouldn't wait too long after school because you tend to lose a lot of that info over time, as these days, most of the theory goes once you start working. Mostly only chief engineers on construction projects seem to require PE licenses. The vast majority of working engineers don't need it or get it. There is also no need to get accredited - you just need to find someone willing to hire you. In southern Cal there is a substantial "jobshop" industry of temporary positions for engineers, 3 months here, 6 there. They were originally for MEs and Aerospace types back in the cold war days when a huge cadre of temp workers went with the flow of contracts. Then it was software types in the 90s - Now it seems to be construction and infrastructure heavy - perfect for your fiance. PM me for some sources and info.

As for us SoCal types, I'm in Huntington Beach, Bob S is in Redondo, Stephen & Tess are in Victorville and Santa Ana, half and half, WilliamIII in in LA, and Ray in San Diego. We've been known to get together for lunch at a Dim Sum place in Little Saigon on occasion (Hey that's three engineers and two lawyers!)

- Jeff

[Capstone]

It is very easy to get married in Vegas - she will only need her passport. If either one of you have ever been divorced you will just need to furnish the date of the divorce but you do not need to produce a divorce decree.

http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/clerk/Pages/marriage_information.aspx

[Dave H]

Hi Hank,

Congratulations! That is great news!

Dave

[Dave H]

As for us SoCal types, I'm in Huntington Beach, Bob S is in Redondo, Stephen & Tess are in Victorville and Santa Ana, half and half, WilliamIII in in LA, and Ray in San Diego. We've been known to get together for lunch at a Dim Sum place in Little Saigon on occasion (Hey that's three engineers and two lawyers!)

- Jeff

Hey Jeff,

Have you tried the dim sum at 'Fu King' yet? Maybe the 'Hard Wok Cafe' or 'Wok & Roll' are nice. I  don't like the sound of 'A Hong Fag!' For Thai food the 'Thaitanic' and 'Thaiphoon' sound good!   I need to move to the left coast...you guys have way too much fun!  

Dave

[Jeff S]

This place reminds some guys of their ex wives:

[Hank]

It is very easy to get married in Vegas - she will only need her passport. If either one of you have ever been divorced you will just need to furnish the date of the divorce but you do not need to produce a divorce decree.

http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/clerk/Pages/marriage_information.aspx

Do we just show up at the chapel, or do we need to go to the county office first ?

[Jeff S]

Yes you need to get a license first at the county offices.

[Bear]

Since my wife got here on the 20th I can relate to how that felt.  Have you set her up any type of support group here yet?  A few Filipinas to help her adjust?  A place where she can get food she is familiar with?  Maybe get them to help make this more like home for her?

The Bear Family

[Ray]

Hi Hank,

Congratulations and a warm welcome to the USA for your fiancée!

I married in Vegas the first time but that was something like 37 years ago. I remember paying $4 for the license and $10 for the JOP down the hall to perform the “ceremony”. The whole thing only took about a half hour. The wedding chapels are optional.

Her passport will be fine for ID. You’ll need 2 witnesses but you can always swap with the next couple in line.

Read here:

http://usmarriagelaws.com/html/las_vegas.shtml

http://www.vegas.com/weddings/legal.html

After the wedding, make sure you order some certified copies of your marriage certificate because you’ll need those for the AOS petition, etc..

For the SS Card, you can just walk in to any SSA office. She will need her Passport, I-94, certified copy of her birth certificate (they return it) and another picture ID if she has one. I’m not sure if they make appointments but check with your local office. She will be allowed to work legally up until the expiration of her K-1 visa (90 days).

After you are married, have her start using her married name on all her documents. She will need to go back to the SSA office later with her marriage certificate to get an updated SS Card in her new name.

Like Jeff stated, engineers aren’t required to be registered as a PE but that will open up more job opportunities down the road for a civil engineer especially with a government job. I would have her look for any kind of entry-level position with a private firm and they can help her from there with any certifications.

She can also register her marriage with the Philippine consulate in LA but that’s optional.

Ray

[Hank]

Since my wife got here on the 20th I can relate to how that felt.  Have you set her up any type of support group here yet?  A few Filipinas to help her adjust?  A place where she can get food she is familiar with?  Maybe get them to help make this more like home for her?

The Bear Family

Well we have seen other Filipinos at church, but she has not approached any.I read some of the stuff you wrote about Filapinas being mean / competitive with each other, so I will let her get more comfortable before I make any suggestions. I know that she is very smart, and she will probably make acquaintances, in her own time.
We are looking for a market for her to get some foods she is more comfortable with. I am in Burbank so if anyone knows of a market ? I would welcome the suggestion.

[Jeff S]

I know a huge Vietnamese one in Westminster that has several isles of Philippine specialty items, and several smaller ones, but that's probably an hour's drive for you.

[Bob_S]

I know a huge Vietnamese one in Westminster that has several isles of Philippine specialty items, and several smaller ones, but that's probably an hour's drive for you.

I know of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese grocers near here, but no Philippine market.  Though even an hour drive is worth it at least once.  From there, you can probably pick up some local Tagalog newspapers that will carry ads for more markets, some of which will be closer to you which will lead to more local mags and papers and so on.  Next thing you know, one will lead to a market right around the corner from you that you never noticed before.

[Dave H]

I know a huge Vietnamese one in Westminster that has several isles of Philippine specialty items, and several smaller ones, but that's probably an hour's drive for you.

Good point Jeff! I have several Chinese groceries here that carry more Filipino food than the Filipino stores.

Dave

[Jeff S]

Found one up your way near Hollyweird: http://www.islandpacificmarket.com/

- Jeff

[Ray]

Hank,

I agree with your decision to not push her too much to meet other Filipina friends. Let her pick her own friends in good time, but also I wouldn’t discourage her from making friends with American women if she is comfortable with that.

Probably your best bet for Filipino supermarkets is Seafood City. They have several in the LA area…West Covina, Carson, S. Vermont in LA, Panorama, Eagle Rock.

Also, 99 Ranch Markets are good (Chinese).

Some more Filipino stores/bakeries (and restaurants) here: http://www.filipino-americans.com/usa_stores.html

Ray

[tessbrittain]

West Covina has a huge Philippine Market. Also there's a Jollibee and Chowking in the area. Me and my friends go there everytime we feel homesick. It's like being in the Philippines without leaving California. She will love it!

Take care and have fun in Vegas!

Tess Brittain

[evoltnvii]

there is also a goldilocks right next to the jollibee and seafood city. there is also a red ribbon around there.