Question about age requirement and I-129 form

[MArkUSA]

hey everyone ..

I just got back from Cebu and I am getting the paperwork ready to submit..

But I have a question I need answered first ..
My girl is 17 years old and her birthday is April 15 2002 she will be 18 years old

Now this is a few weeks off yet (actually a month)
But is it alright to go ahead and submit the I-129 with the 325 forms etc ... before she turns 18 years old ...

Amity Travel in Cebu is handling most of her paperwork such as passports and certified birth certificate...
and said they cannot process her passport until she is 18yrs(or its at least best to wait)

I figure she should just about be getting her packet when she turns old enough..

So is is ok! to go ahead and send the I129 etc. (step1)

Thanx
I will have a trip report for you shortly..
when i get a honest moment ..
Quite busy since I got home Monday from cebu..

thanx
MarkUSA

[MArkUSA]

... in response to Question about age requirement and I-129..., posted by MArkUSA on Mar 7, 2002

Ok Ok OK Friends
thanx for your geniuene concern..

And Yes Don I have thought about many things including the ponderings you mentioned ...

Now I just got home from the hospital(rememeber I am a nurse and deal with all ranks and cultures of people on a daily, well nightly basis) and I seen some of the response's and already knew in my heart they changed nothing that I felt or also know that my soon to be wife also felt..

I guess the best way to put this is that:

You haven't walked in my shoes and seen and felt what i feel and know is true undoubtly..
See I am a believer in people and see threw to the inner of goodness of a person when i come upon a person willing to share a part of there selves with you...

It's amazing what one can see when they stop and show geniune concern and caring for one..

They pleasantly share there whole world with you and there dreams somewhat become partly your dream also..

Well Don and Fetember (I think spelled incorrect, sorry)

Justina shared these things with me as we were in Oslob and I asked her many questions and you know what stunned me is she also asked me things also that made me realize one thing she was definately a young lady turning into a mature
woman as after her own mother and aunts and may I say that I have never been taken in by complete strangers as I was
the last few weeks in Cebu as well as oslob etc..

Other than the pollution.. and the constant beeping of taxis..
(I didnt see that in Bohol though.. seem more reservered and comfortable living..)

I enjoyed every minute and almost forgot I had a life and job still here..

well I thank you for your concerns but I fill at 35 years of age and being that I have spent 4 yrs in the 82nd Airborne Division Special Forces and 8 long wonderful experianced years in nursing and the loss of my mother  just 3 year ago and helping to raise my sister 12,14,17,

today14,17,21, and they are so beautiful and are all going to college as my mother would have wanted ..

Well Again  I hope! I am right! in MY DECESSIONS..

But I think I know what I feel and see in front of me..

And I wouldnt have it any other way ..

You know Justina wnet with me to Michelle's (Jan 2nd 2002)
Site and held me the whole time thru and rubbed my back and just literally gave up any jealous other woman may of felt and comfortted me as I let the thoughts of her drift away as if she had blessed what was becoming of Tina and I ..

Something beautiful but Real in all ways to me..

As too the oppurtunity to go see other girls I could of done that at any given momet ..heck i had other girls addresses including one I almost found as interesting as Tina ..
but something kept pulling me in that direction..
It was my heart..

Thanx all I am so very tired an I have written way to much personal stuff here ..
But I felt like sharing...

Take care ..
MarkUSA

[donb2222]

... in response to Question about age requirement and I-129..., posted by MArkUSA on Mar 7, 2002

I too am interested to hear about your trip.  Let me ask you this though.  Am I correct in understanding that you just met a 17  year old kid a few weeks ago, and now you want to marry her?  Would you marry a 17 year old American girl that you have only known for a few weeks?  Don't you  have the desire to spend more time getting to know her and her country better before you commit to spending the rest of your life with her?  Are you under the false impression that just because she comes from a poor country she will mature faster than American teenagers?
Do you think that at 17 you were mature enough to know what you wanted from life, and were ready for marriage?
Is this some sort of rebound relationship due to the death of your penpal?  Did your penpals family even allow you to meet other, perhaps older, Filipinas?  I understand very well that many Filipinas are very, very romantic, and that they like to have quick-soap opera type relationships,  but you might want to at least be penpals for a while before you do this.   Maybe visit her country again.
Sorry about the harshness of my questions, but I have the feeling you will be asked these questions and more by your friends and family.

Don

[greg]

... in response to Just curious....., posted by donb2222 on Mar 8, 2002

for a Grown Adult to marry a child. I would feel ashamed to be seen walking around America married to a Girl old enough to be my Daughter. I know for a fact that my Family and  Friends would feel sorry for Her. greg

[Bob S.]

... in response to Just curious....., posted by donb2222 on Mar 8, 2002

Is 17 too young?  Well, it kind of depends.
Back in the early 1950's, my mom was 17 and fresh out of high school when she married my dad who was 21 and fresh out of the army.  They came from the same small town in rural Okalhoma, the same poor WASPy culture, pretty much knew each other growing up (or knew OF each other), and for the next 5 years after they were married, the world didn't change much for them.  How did it work out?  Next year they will celebrate their Golden Wedding Aniversary.

But for Mark, the situation for his fiancée is quite a bit different.  She may very well be responsible and marriage-worthy within the context of her own culture.  But when she is pulled out of that world and forced to adapt to the radical changes she will encounter, will she remain so?  When she sees the options available here, her goals for her life may change.  She may decide she wants to go to college like other girls her age.  Her new friends may be other 17 to 19 year old American college girls who plan to remain free, fun, and single for another 10 years.  You just don't know.

She's at a critical age for a young lady.  Instead of a fiancée visa, I would see if it were possible to first get her a student visa to a local junior college to take parttime classes.  It would give her a chance to adapt to life here and see what her options are before making irrevocable legal entanglements.  It would also allow for a longer courtship period to better determine compatibility under somewhat normal circumstances.
Well, take it for what it's worth.  At least once in our life we must rush in where angels fear to tread.

[Stephen]

... in response to Was kind of wondering that myself..., posted by Bob S. on Mar 8, 2002

nt

[Febtember]

... in response to Just curious....., posted by donb2222 on Mar 8, 2002

Don,
Nice question,I should ask that question first to Mark but you post that already.We have the same thought.I'm also currious.
Hope mark will answer all that question.

[MArkUSA]

... in response to Re: Just curious....., posted by Febtember on Mar 8, 2002

Ok Ok OK Friends
thanx for your geniuene concern..

And Yes Don I have thought about many things including the ponderings you mentioned ...

Now I just got home from the hospital(rememeber I am a nurse and deal with all ranks and cultures of people on a daily, well nightly basis) and I seen some of the response's and already knew in my heart they changed nothing that I felt or also know that my soon to be wife also felt..

I guess the best way to put this is that:

You haven't walked in my shoes and seen and felt what i feel and know is true undoubtly..
See I am a believer in people and see threw to the inner of goodness of a person when i come upon a person willing to share a part of there selves with you...

It's amazing what one can see when they stop and show geniune concern and caring for one..

They pleasantly share there whole world with you and there dreams somewhat become partly your dream also..

Well Don and Fetember (I think spelled incorrect, sorry)

Justina shared these things with me as we were in Oslob and I asked her many questions and you know what stunned me is she also asked me things also that made me realize one thing she was definately a young lady turning into a mature
woman as after her own mother and aunts and may I say that I have never been taken in by complete strangers as I was
the last few weeks in Cebu as well as oslob etc..

Other than the pollution.. and the constant beeping of taxis..
(I didnt see that in Bohol though.. seem more reservered and comfortable living..)

I enjoyed every minute and almost forgot I had a life and job still here..

well I thank you for your concerns but I fill at 35 years of age and being that I have spent 4 yrs in the 82nd Airborne Division Special Forces and 8 long wonderful experianced years in nursing and the loss of my mother  just 3 year ago and helping to raise my sister 12,14,17,

today14,17,21, and they are so beautiful and are all going to college as my mother would have wanted ..

Well Again  I hope! I am right! in MY DECESSIONS..

But I think I know what I feel and see in front of me..

And I wouldnt have it any other way ..

You know Justina wnet with me to Michelle's (Jan 2nd 2002)
Site and held me the whole time thru and rubbed my back and just literally gave up any jealous other woman may of felt and comfortted me as I let the thoughts of her drift away as if she had blessed what was becoming of Tina and I ..

Something beautiful but Real in all ways to me..

As too the oppurtunity to go see other girls I could of done that at any given momet ..heck i had other girls addresses including one I almost found as interesting as Tina ..
but something kept pulling me in that direction..
It was my heart..

Thanx all I am so very tired an I have written way to much personal stuff here ..
But I felt like sharing...

Take care ..
MarkUSA

[Jeff S]

... in response to Question about age requirement and I-129..., posted by MArkUSA on Mar 7, 2002

So I guess you really liked the cousin. Like Ray, I'm eager to hear all about your trip with all the juicy details.

-- Jeff S.

[MArkUSA]

... in response to Welcome home Mark!, posted by Jeff S on Mar 7, 2002

Thanx JeffS and Everyone else in your response's I like criticism as well as welcome back comments also ..
I keeps me on my toes.... lol

But Hey I am off Sunday and I will have a complete Trip Report for you then ..

They me on 12hr and 16 hr at the hospital it is such short stafed and we are at almost full capacity ..
Can you belive that and we have over 9 hospitals in about 2 square miles..

But Yes I know you are excited to hear all about my trp ..

I promise to make it well detailed so LOOK FOR IT SunDay!!

Thanx Again for all the help and kindness and etc..

MARkUSA

[Dave H]

... in response to Welcome home Mark!, posted by Jeff S on Mar 7, 2002

Hi Mark,

Sounds like you had a very good time! Details...details ;o))

Dave H.

[Ray]

... in response to Question about age requirement and I-129..., posted by MArkUSA on Mar 7, 2002

Mark,

My understanding is that both of you must be legally able to marry at the time the application is submitted. The legal age in the Philippines is 18, but for INS purposes, I believe that they go by the law in the jurisdiction where you will be married. If she can legally marry in your state at the age of 17, with no parental consent required, then you should be O.K. filing now. If not, I would wait until she is of age.

To avoid any potential problems down the road, it might be wise to wait until next month anyway, unless you are in a big hurry and just can’t wait.

For one, I can’t wait for this trip report…

Ray

[BrianN]

... in response to What's the legal age in your state?, posted by Ray on Mar 7, 2002

Is there anything you DON'T know?

(like how a woman REALLY works? lol!).