How I Did My SSS ID and Some tips

What a tedious day it was!

Getting married has a lot of perks -- but there's a TON of paperwork that goes along with it, especially for us women since we are the ones changing our surname.

Okay, so I'm pretty much used to the whole deal of getting NSO (National Statistics Office) documents from the East Avenue Serbilis Center. No problem. I needed a lot of my Birth Certificates as both D and I also needed copies essential in updating our status. We also needed a number of copies of our Marriage Certificate to legally prove that we have indeed tied the knot!

I just realized that SSS (Social Security System) Diliman was only across NSO! Imagine what I had been missing all this time going back and forth in the area! Well, no point complaining here, but it could have saved me a lot of trips and MRT Stored Value Tickets! Nevertheless, I was still thankful to have accidentally found the place, since I found out that their branches in Mandaluyong and Pasig have defective ID machines.

With my SSS ID and other documents on hand, I marched inside the SSS complex, hoping at my chance for getting an amended ID.

I previously went to SSS Mandaluyong to update my last name last December and completed form E-4 or simply called the Member's Data Amendment Form. I must add, when I went to the Mandaluyong branch on an afternoon, I was the only person there, and the employees looked like they were anticipating the holidays.

Usually, it would take them a week or so to update your records. However, since I submitted the form a day before the Christmas holidays, I expected it to be a week or so after the holidays.

At the same time, I sent an email to the SSS Member relations (member_relations@sss.gov.ph) to inquire about remitting payments even if I have already left my employer. Usually, payroll would deduct my salary for loans.

According to the SSS Department head who replied to my email, this could still be done through SSS accredited banks, or remittance center, SM malls or any SSS branch that has tellering facility by using Form ML1 or Loan Payment Form.

Luckily, SSS Mandaluyong has a "tellering" facility, and that Megamall's pretty much within my proximity.

She was also able to inform me that the request for change of name and status has already been updated in the database. That was a relief.

Then again, I still have no ID yet, hence, the Diliman Branch was inevitably the next destination. To complete the process for SS ID application, here are my tips:

NOTE!!!! This is intended for people who are to change their last names only, and provided that the E-4 form has already been submitted. Some of the other steps may not apply.

1. Get the E-6 form from either Booths 1-3. All 3 booths are information kiosks where you could get forms and information about the various services they offered at the building. They could answer any inquiry regarding transactions, and gives you a number to the appropriate window. Usually booths 1-2 are for general inquiries, so the line could be long here. However, booth number 3 is a kiosk solely for ID applications, and where you will get your number.

2. On the same booth, ask for an R-6 (Miscellaneous Payment Return), otherwise known as their Official Receipt. You have to fill out the form 4 times since it's a carbonless form. Can't this get any more tedious!

3. If there are more people ahead of you on queue at the E-6 verification, proceed to the Main Building (still within the SSS complex) and ask the guard where you can pay. Show him the R-6, and you will be pointed to the right direction. Once there, prepare PHP150 for the replacement fee.

4. Go back to the Member Services Building where you started and fill out the E-6 form completely and in BLACK INK. The zip code is a required field in the form. If you do not know your zip code, there is an area near the E-6 verification section where all the zip codes in the PI are listed. 

5. By the time you get back to the verification section, prepare the following:

• ONE Primary (aka "stand alone) Document -- either the passport, driver's license, PRC card, seaman's book 

          OR

• TWO Secondary documents. The list of the secondary documents are found here. You can use the marriage certificate as your first ID, and the other one should be another ID that has a photo, and your amended name/married name. 
• Current SSS ID
• Completed E-6 form
• Official Receipt for payment
• Your copy of the E-4 as proof that you have filed the amendment.

6. You will be directed to go to counter 36 for an appointment for the ID and data capture. They will give you an appointment slip that has the date, time, and ID capture workstation number.

I will only post up to this part since I am still waiting for my appointment, which will be on the 11th.

Other things to know:

• You may do your E-4 (amendment) at any SSS Branch as well as E-6 verification. Call your nearest branch to verify if they indeed do so.
• As of now, Mandaluyong and Pasig branches have defective ID capture machines so after you have applied from your local branch, you may need to visit the East Avenue branch for the appointment. Tedious. Tedious. However, some branches could do the appointments for you so that you'll show up at Diliman/East Ave. branch on your appointment day.
• You can pay the fee of PHP150 at any SSS Branch or any SSS accredited bank.
• Senior Citizens have a priority lane, but it may not be posted on the counters. However, information booths 1 and 2  have marked "priority lanes".
• I went on a Thursday afternoon, and it barely took an hour. The moment I got my number, my number was already being called! 

Could there be other simpler ways of renewing SSS IDs? Please feel free to share! :D

SSS Mandaluyong is located at:

Gomega Bldg. , 6 J. Tiosejo St., corner P. Martinez St., Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong, City

Contact Numbers: Tel. No. 531-6461 / 534-1445 /534-1446 / Fax No. 533-9533

How To "I Do": D & S style

As what we normally hear, marriage is the union of two persons, formed into one unit -- a day where couples exchange their vows and "I do's" in front of special people in their life. It could be as beautiful and as dramatic as one may opt. After all, it's THE day.

What's even better is that you can do it at a fraction of the cost of a Church wedding!

In the Philippines, one would think that a civil wedding it as easy as just exchanging vows and the whole shebang. There are a lot of things to consider when planning -- the time, budget, number of heads, and a other minor details that you'd like to include.

You could just sit and wonder, "where do I start?"

Careful planning and organization is the key. Never miss or skip steps in the process. You may think for a second that skipping a part of the process shortens it, when in fact it could be an essential element that could prolong your agony if missed.

Being hands-on with this "project", I was able to learn a lot about how civil weddings work, particularly here in Mandaluyong. I will just be enumerating steps of what we did before.

1. We got an application from for the marriage license from the Office of the Civil Registrar (OCR, new building, 2nd floor, left side). The staff are very friendly and accommodating to any questions you may have along the way! Go Mandaluyong! For the requirements and other details, click here.

• You may also inquire through Mandaluyong City's trunk line, 532-5001 local 234. The line could be busy most of the time, so patience here my friends. 

2. Prepared PhP170 for the notarial services, registration and filing fees.

3. While waiting for the marriage license, we attended the pre-marriage seminar. Details are here.

4. After getting the marriage license, we proceed to the Office of the Court of Clerk (OCC). This can be found at the Mandaluyong City Hall of Justice, ground floor. Prepared PhP330 for processing.

5. Attended the "raffle" to determine which judge will officiate the wedding. In our case, we had Hon. Carlos A. Valenzuela from branch 213.

Hon. Carlos A. Valenzuela: A very nice and good-natured person

6. After the raffle, we proceeded to branch 213 to get "your honor's" schedule. We booked October 26, since my family had to fly to New Zealand on the 27th. The only available time was 10:30 am. So we took it!

After all the steps, this was the only time when we started to book the hotel reception, the photographer, and the other stuff. In other words, the rest would be garnishes of the main course, or the icing of the cake!

Stuff you STILL need to know about civil weddings:

1. If you have a wedding date in mind, do not fully commit to it. You will have to book the date with the judge's secretary before making any reservations to your suppliers.

2. Couples should always be flexible with the schedule, instead of running into a hectic "hearing" date where you have to wait for your turn before you get inside. What is this, waiting for a Jollibee Kiddie party to finish before you can start yours? Or maybe unless you would prefer a distraught, haggard judge officiating the rites. Yes, on YOUR day!
 
3. Civil weddings are now strictly held in the judge's "sala" (court), so forget about out-of-town weddings, unless you are holding it in a provincial court.
 
4. The Mandaluyong City Mayor can officiate a wedding every Tuesday. 

5. There are NO weddings held on a weekend, just only during business hours. 

6. It takes about 7-10 business days before claiming the marriage license. You have to think of other things to do, like attending the pre-wed seminar than to sit around waiting for it. More information here. 

7. "Raffling" of judges are only held every Thursday at 1PM.
 
8. There is NO fee after the wedding although it is customary for us Filipinos to give a small token of gratitude for the judge and his staff, for accommodating such a special event. Besides, even if you invite them to your reception, most would not make it because of the office hours. In our case, we provided them with food and simple gifts. 

9. Getting the NSO copy of the marriage certificate may take long, depending on your municipality. In my case, I was able to get it in less than 3 months after my wedding date. Other municipalities may take longer.

What were the steps that you took on your wedding day? Was it the same as what we did here in Mandaluyong?

Getting a Marriage License in the Philippines

I remembered in one of our T.H.E/H.E.L.E (home economics) classes, the teacher discussed about marriage and its pre-requisites, which I did not really pay much attention to. Besides, who KNEW that one day it would come in handy?

But seriously, who would still remember any topic in elementary, especially those of no relevance at that point? I do remember though, that Mrs. Garrido and Mrs. Santos were the ones giving out the lessons in class.

Now, I realize its worth. There are not a lot of people who know the process. So hopefully this somehow helps.

One of the essentials, or rather THE essential, is the marriage license. This official piece of paper is your ticket to marry anyone, whether you opt to marry in church or the court.

Sample specimen (from http://linmarrdavao.com/images/Tribute/Philippine%20Marriage%20License%20Specimen.jpg):

I wasn't able to get a pic of the license, but this was indeed the same form we used. This form will be obtained from the Office of the Local Civil Registry (OLCR)

To get a marriage license, you need the following:

1. NSO Birth Certificates
2. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), also called Cert. of Singleness -- also from NSO
3. Parental consent -- ages 18-21; Parental Advice 22-25
4. Passport-size photos
5. Residence Certificate (CEDULA) -- of the person who lives in the municipality/city.
6. Pre-marriage seminar -- for more info on schedules, etc, click here.
7. Barangay Clearance
   
8. Marriage License Application form

Quick facts:

1. NSO Serbilis Centers release birth certificates on the same day, if requested on mornings. Otherwise, it is released the following business day.
2. It would take approximately 2 weeks to get the CENOMAR from NSO Serbilis Center.
3. Personal Appearance is required when submitting requirements, but claiming can be done by either one of the persons who applied.
4. Prepare PhP170 for the fees: marriage registration fee (PhP10) and filing fee (PhP50). This will be paid at the municipal cashier (ground floor of the new city hall building). The remaining PhP110 will be for the notarial services at the OLCR.
   
5. Seminars are conducted by the City hall's health department. A certificate will be given after. There is no fee, but donations will be appreciated.
   
6. Marriage License will only be released after you have submitted the certificate for the pre-marriage seminar, usually after 7-10 business days from date of application.

Since I married a foreign national, additional requirements are needed before getting the marriage license. You can find more information here.