ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS

Someone told me good luck asking a simple question to USCIS. Man I found out earlier today. I asked one of the reps a simple easy to understand question and got oh I'm not allowed to answer that I'll have to put you in touch with the something or other division. They will get back to you in 3-5 days. I'm better off asking people who have been there done that. UNREAL!


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-07-15 15:49:00
USCIS Service CentersStupid question

 

I don't think it's going to be a problem... I have asked my husband about it who's a US Citizen too.. He said, it's not going to be a problem.

 

thanks hope he is right. Filing DCF USEM in March.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-12-31 06:02:00
USCIS Service CentersStupid question

They check everything especially criminal background... 

not worried about criminal background. I only worry about being late on my alimony payment to the ex. is this a prob?


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-12-30 21:39:00
USCIS Service CentersStupid question

Ok, so maybe this is a dumb question. What are they actually checking out when you send in the petition? I assume to see if we are criminals,terrorists? Just curious what is it that they look into.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-12-30 09:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionProof of a genuine relationship
Hello, even though I have plenty of time to gather the paperwork, I was wondering what do I need to satisfy immigration and the embassy that my Fiance and I have a genuine relationship. I currently have Yahoo IM's dating from last September thru late October at least 1 per day. I have been to visit her 3 times in the Philippines since late October last year so I have my paperwork from airline. I have some receipts from restaurant visits. Tons of pictures of us together. Is there a minimum time we must have known each other? Any ideas of what I might be missing at this point? Thanks for any help.

Mark
MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-02-16 15:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOur experience going for Affidavit to get married from USEM

When you applied for a marriage license, did the Quezon City civil registrar accept your Affidavit in Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry?  I ask this because Quezon City is on the U.S. Embassy Manila's list of municipalities who no longer accept that document.  http://manila.usemba...v/marriage.html

 

Also, did the Quezon City civil registrar require you to submit a CENOMAR for yourself (the U.S. citizen)?  

 

By the way, you can file your I-130 using your marriage certificate from the civil registrar.  That way, you won't have to wait for the NSO copy of your marriage certificate.  Then, when your wife goes to her Embassy interview, she can bring her NSO marriage certificate with her.  Also, you can speed up the NSO process for your NSO marriage certificate by applying for "advance endorsement" at the civil registrar's office.  You might want to do this in the off chance that the USCIS sends you and RFE asking for the NSO marriage certificate. 

Yes I saw that on the us embassy site. However they did accept it. As for a CENOMAR for me they just asked for my divorce papers. Thanks for the info. Let me get this straight tho. I keep the certificate bring it home and add it to my 130 package. Genefer waits for the NSO cert. I think we will ask for 2 copies based on someone elses suggestion.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-11 18:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOur experience going for Affidavit to get married from USEM

Today 6/11 Genefer and I left our apt at 5AM for our 7:30 AM appointment at USEM. We arrived in the RoxasBlvd area about 6:00. Time for breakfast. Jollibee of course! We head to the embassy around 6:45. Since we were going for an affidavit for marriage the line was quick and fast inside in 10 minutes. Now we waited in the courtyard until about 7:15 until they told us and about 50 other people to go to door for US citizens. The staff would not allow Genefer to go with me to the second floor and told her to wait outside. Sucked for her since it was very very humid. But it is the Philippines and it is June. I go to the second floor  I'm called to the window to fill out a paper then pay $50 about 2100 peso. The American Consul asks me to raise right hand and swear that everything on the form is truthful. The amazing part is they never asked me to see my divorce papers. They never asked me any questions at all. I had a load of evidence with me but not needed. Oh well good for us. So Genefer and I exit the Embassy at approx 9AM we were there for maybe 1.5 hours total. Now the frustrating part for us was there we were looking at the people going for their K1 and Spouse Visa's and we have not even sent in our petition yet. O well our time will come. First things first. So we head over to Quezon City hall for our marriage license. Now this is quite another story. For any of us who want to complain about Government beauracracy you ain't seen nothing until you have been to this place. Let me say that this is a large bunch of BS! It is all about $$$. You pay for everything! First it is 30 pesos for a Xerox. Then it's150 pesos for this and 320 pesos for Cedula and 195 for Cenomar. Then 5 pesos for another Xerox. Then the tell us that a judge can marry us but our names go into a hat sort of and which ever judge gets it can charge what he wants for the privelage of marrying us. Can you believe this!  Later we have to make an appointment for family planning they call it. I guess at 53 for me and 35 for Genefer we need to know about the birds and bees. Again I Love Genefer and will do anything to make her happy. In the end the outcome is that I am married to the most beautiful women I have ever seen. This was quite the day.  

Here is an addition to what I typed. I wasn't able to edit for some reason.

 The family planning seminar takes place next week and we have to go back to Cenomar to pick that paper up. Then actually file for the marriage license. We receive the license in 10 business days. Then after we get married we can get the marriage certificate takes 3 months!Hope I don't need the cert for the I130.   Again I Love Genefer and will do anything to make her happy. In the end the outcome is that I am married to the most beautiful women I have ever seen. This was quite the day. 


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-11 06:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOur experience going for Affidavit to get married from USEM

Today 6/11 Genefer and I left our apt at 5AM for our 7:30 AM appointment at USEM. We arrived in the RoxasBlvd area about 6:00. Time for breakfast. Jollibee of course! We head to the embassy around 6:45. Since we were going for an affidavit for marriage the line was quick and fast inside in 10 minutes. Now we waited in the courtyard until about 7:15 until they told us and about 50 other people to go to door for US citizens. The staff would not allow Genefer to go with me to the second floor and told her to wait outside. Sucked for her since it was very very humid. But it is the Philippines and it is June. I go to the second floor  I'm called to the window to fill out a paper then pay $50 about 2100 peso. The American Consul asks me to raise right hand and swear that everything on the form is truthful. The amazing part is they never asked me to see my divorce papers. They never asked me any questions at all. I had a load of evidence with me but not needed. Oh well good for us. So Genefer and I exit the Embassy at approx 9AM we were there for maybe 1.5 hours total. Now the frustrating part for us was there we were looking at the people going for their K1 and Spouse Visa's and we have not even sent in our petition yet. O well our time will come. First things first. So we head over to Quezon City hall for our marriage license. Now this is quite another story. For any of us who want to complain about Government beauracracy you ain't seen nothing until you have been to this place. Let me say that this is a large bunch of BS! It is all about $$$. You pay for everything! First it is 30 pesos for a Xerox. Then it's150 pesos for this and 320 pesos for Cedula and 195 for Cenomar. Then 5 pesos for another Xerox. Then the tell us that a judge can marry us but our names go into a hat sort of and which ever judge gets it can charge what he wants for the privelage of marrying us. Can you believe this!  Later we have to make an appointment for family planning they call it. I guess at 53 for me and 35 for Genefer we need to know about the birds and bees. Again I Love Genefer and will do anything to make her happy. In the end the outcome is that I am married to the most beautiful women I have ever seen. This was quite the day.  


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-11 06:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDenied Pertition

So i sent out my I130 back in november and just found out that they denied my Pertition.....What now!

Whats the reason for denial?


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-20 19:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSending Documents

Actually it just hit my mind i can just scan the 2012 income tax return n send it to my
husbands email n he can print it out over ther in philippines instead of
paying $48 dollars n not guarantee if hell recieve it before the 8th right? cause i heard postal office
is not reliable when sending mail international.

it would be a problem right of its copies? unless embassy needs orginal 2012 tax return




Let me tell you the Philippines post office sucks.  I sent a letter to my soon to be wife in The Philippines. It took 6 weeks! The post mark showed it arrving in Philippines and then being delivered to her address 3 weeks later! If you can scan and email to him great or use couriers ie: fedex/dhl...


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-25 20:25:00
PhilippinesBest/Cheapest/Most convienent way to communicate
Hello all, I am hoping to get some good suggestions as for the best ways as in cheapest ways to communcate with my fiance. My cell bill has gotten crazy. I have a .17 per minute plan on landline that too can add up fast. Skype is great but she has no computer so she uses internet cafe. Thinking of buying a mini ipad and then she will have to find wi fi to skype. Suggestions would be great.

Thanks all.
Mark
MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-02-15 18:48:00
Philippinessame questioned asked a million times

i wonder if it could be scanned and then sent in an email or as a word doc in messenger or something like that.i didnt think of that.

not sure if they need orig signatures.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-09-19 21:22:00
Philippinessame questioned asked a million times

how could i sign for the license while still here?i dont think there is enough time to mail papers to me and then get it back before i visit.im asking if they know anyone.hmmm

Fax and DHL is your friend.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-09-19 21:06:00
Philippinessame questioned asked a million times

10 days  is really pushing it but it's doable if you "know someone, who knows someone" that could speed things up for you. 

 

good luck! 

Keep something in mind everyone in City hall has their hand out.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-09-19 20:51:00
Philippinessame questioned asked a million times

From what I understand, one way you can get married in the Philippines in that short amount of time is if your fiancee's family "knows" someone.

The other way which will allow you to get married in the Philippines in that amount of time is if you complete the paperwork before you go to the Philippines. That will allow you to satisfy the required 10+ day waiting period for your marriage license.

One thing is He still needs to go to The Embassy for the Affidavit. I still believe he will need to sign the documents such as the Application for the Lic and also just remembered he and his Fiancee need to take the class about marriage given in City Hall.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-09-19 20:46:00
Philippinessame questioned asked a million times

they will do all that in advance..they arent sure what requirements i need to get. a filipino friend of mine said the license can be applied for in advance.that way its ready for when im there.what requirements did you need to get married there and was it in manila?

I got married in Manilla yes. You need to also go to USEM and get the affidavit from the Embassy that allows you to be married in Philippines. Go to the website for USEM and choose a date when you want to go get it done, it's easy. If you have been married bring divorce decree. Passport obviously. I'm pretty sure some of this such as applying for the Lic will have to have your signature. You might hav to be present for some of it to happen. What you need from Embassy is calle Affidavit in Lieu of legal Capacity to Contract Marriage for United States Citizens.


Edited by MarkGenefer, 19 September 2013 - 08:43 PM.

MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-09-19 20:40:00
Philippinessame questioned asked a million times

i know this has been asked many times.i did search a little and couldnt find exactly what im looking for..im going to the philippines in november. but only for 10 days as thats as long as work will permit me to go without having any issues with my job.my girlfriend (Donna) and i will get married in paranaque/manila. her mom is out trying to see what requirements are needed exactly. but i figured i could also do my part as well and ask on here.i know 10 days is a short time which is why they will get things ready before i visit.by the way we will have a civil wedding.so as a US citizen marrying a Filipina in the Philippines. what things do i need for this to happen?anyone who recently did this please help and those in the past as well. i dont know if things have changed since then. thanks in advance for all replies smile.png

I got married back in July 2013. 10 days is kinda pushing things. You both need to go to city hall to file for the marriage lic. She needs to go to NSO for the CENOMAR. Then it takes can't remember whether it is 6 or 10 days to get the Lic. Good Luck.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-09-19 20:23:00
PhilippinesFil Am immigrations legit?
Hello everyone, has anone used FilAm immigrations? They do things a bit differently than an immigration attorney so I was curious if anyone had any experience.

Thanks
MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2012-12-28 07:01:00
PhilippinesCredit Cards

Hello all, I have a question hope someone can answer. If my wife still owes credit card debt when she gets her visa what happens when she gets to NAIA? Will she have a problem leaving the country?


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-12-29 07:35:00
PhilippinesDHL, Fedex, UPS, or US post office Manila?

 

I guess that's the great advantage of having to have sent the NVC everything rather than using your own funds to relay it across the world.  I am always reminded just how much better it was for me to file a CR-1 rather than a K-1. biggrin.png

 

If I was to use any service to send paperwork to the Philippines I would use FedEx. I've always had more reliable service sending documents through them to other areas of the world as rare as that is these days.

Hi Artisan, I new to making the decision for the CR1 instead of a K1. When you say your reminded how much better it is doing the CR1 rather than the K1 don't you still need some originals such as NSO Marriage cert? Which I'm toldI may have to wait up to 3 months for? In that case my wife will have to fed ex it to me to send in.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-12 04:04:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

Should've waited at Shakeys and used their wifi

Lol, I can laugh about it now. I was thinking then who the hell are these people to ask any questions of my wife. We have the visa get lost. But in the end done deal. As for Shakeys I have had my fill of Shakeys here I long for real pizza.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-12 18:58:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

CFO is for the Phil national.  The USC sponsor not only does not have to do it; he can't even get inside the building.  You can drop her off and wait for her outside.

 

actually I got sick of sitting at Jolibee and with a little persuasion got inside sat in waiting areas 1st floor.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-12 17:32:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

all done but thanks for responses


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-12 17:11:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

Thanks all for the help. CFO finished. 


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-10 22:58:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

I'm thinking we will just go Monday extremely early and see if I'm right or wrong. I still have my appt for Wed if not.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-05 19:41:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

I understand that she must get the sticker. I get that part. however this page makes more sense does it not? http://www.cfo.gov.p...inar&Itemid=917

 

 


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-05 19:24:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

little additon to my orig post 2 questions asked of spouse to determine if you need to attend GCP (guidence and counseling prog)  Is your spouse a foreign national. No I'm a USC,She is a Phil citizen. @nd question is your spouse a former Philippine citizen again NO. then says if not to both you do not attend GCP.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-05 19:11:00
PhilippinesCFO HELP NEEDED URGENT

Hello all, my wife must go to CFO this week here in Manila. My dilema is this: CFO website is very confusing. You either have to attend pre departure seminar no appointment needed 70 people accepted per day. here is a link to what I'm reading  http://www.cfo.gov.p...inar&Itemid=917

 

this makes sense to me. or you do this other one called CGP which makes absolutley no sense because they ask you to bring orig NSO docs w u. We cannot they are in the visa packet which you cannot open. The questions to determine if you need to attend GCP make no sense either. Btw my wife has her CR1 visa so she is an immigrant visa. hope this makes sense. 


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2014-09-05 18:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGoing it alone

As for using affidavits to prove my marriage is not a sham marriage. Can I make my own affidavits and have them notorized? Other than my marriage license and the proof of our relationship ie: pictures boarding passes IM's receipts skype chats the fact that I have been to see Genefer now 5 times. I have some phone records. What am missing or perhaps I'm just being paranoid about the stages yet to come. 


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-10 00:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGoing it alone

OP, your household count would be as follows:

  • You
  • The sponsored immigrant (specific to your case, your wife)
  • any minor children that you already have

 

Since your step-daughter is not immigrating at this time, she is not included in your household count.  Your ex would not be included in your household count either.

Thanks for the answer it sounds good to me. Have a question for you. What does OP mean? Also your saying my ex is not included in the count? Even though she gets alimony from me? I thought that would make her a dependent.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-09 20:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGoing it alone

Invesconile, I have a feeling your response was interesting. However all I can see is boxes and numbers.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-08 03:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGoing it alone

So my soon to be wife and I have decided to go it alone. By that we mean we will be filling out all the paperwork ourselves. I should say myself. Since I am here in the Philippines for the purpos of getting married to Genefer I will leave most of the documents for her to have for the embassy interview. I will take the originals home and make copies for her. Same for the pictures. I will develop them and leave the best ones behind for the embassy interview. So my first question for anyone who can help is this. My soon to be wife has 1 child however at this time we will only be petioning for Genefer. Her daughter will stay behind for 6 months or so with family. I am divorced so when I look at the I864p chart income guidelines am I correct that my ex wife is 1 dependant Genefer is 2 and me 3? The child will be petioned for at a later date so she does not have to be accounted for at this time am I correct? I hope I can lean on some members of VJ during this frustrating and confusing time.

Thanks to anyone for your help.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-08 02:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions

It is amazing, and thank God for the short (enough) wait. How it's possible, i have no idea. We expected it to take at least 6 months to get processed, tbh.

 

But anyways, he filed the petition unemployed; I got to the interview and informed the CO that he was recently employed, showed his payslip and all and they didn't have any problem with it. smile.png Are you going back to the US any time soon?

 

Hope your journey will be good!

 

Good luck!!! happy.png

Sorry for this late reply. I am not going back until at least 1-2 weeks after we marry. I hope we marry sometime around July 4. Based on everything I read I am shocked about you showing 1 payslip and it was ok with the CO. Good for you guys!


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-15 02:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions
4

^^true.

 

My husband stayed in the Philippines for over 2 years, though, (he left to go back to U.S. in March) and didn't get a job til 2 weeks before my interview - even then, he only got a minimum-wage job. In our case, we asked his parents to be the co-sponsors and they had to fill up an I-864A to be attached to my husband's I-864, along with other supporting documents, and that was our proof of financial support.

 

He filed the petition in January at the U.S. Embassy, Manila. The whole process didn't take too long for us: 

requested for more evidence 2 weeks after filing,

case approved a month later,

case completed in March,

visa approved in May.

 

 

 

4 months?? That is amazing. How is that possible?

Good luck!!!

 


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-01 00:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestions

Hello All, My name is Mark. I have been off and on VJ for a bit reading sometimes. My fiance and I have decided to get married in The Philippines. So our original thought of the fiance visa has changed to the Spouse visa obviously. We understand the pros and cons of the spouse visa as compared to the fiance visa to be waiting time. Also the spouse visa will giver her the green card pretty quickly once she arrives in US. I will never understand why if you are going for the spouse visa it takes longer. This makes no sense to me but it is what it is. So a little background which will form my questions. I first came to Philippines in Oct 2012. I have been here and am here as I type every month for a period of time from Oct to today June 1. So we certainly have plenty of face time and we have lived together for loads of time. I know all her family and friends and coworkers. My first concern is this. I was laid off from my job in late Nov 2012. Got a buyout making it easy for me to come here and stay a while each time. However after we get married it is time for me to go home and get a job. No job no visa. I was told there is a 6 month on the job requirement to get the visa. I was also told that with the backlog of cases taking 6-10 months if I file right after getting the new job by the time they get to my case I will satisfy the 6 month requirement. Make sense? We have loads of pictures 5 sets of boarding passes showing me going here to Philippines, lots of IM's printed from the begining of our meeting. Many printed emails. Receipts from places we have been. Am I missing anything? Suggestions comments?

 

Help greatly appreciated.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-05-31 18:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresProving Bonafide Marriage

I have a question for anyone who can help. I will be marrying my fiancee in early July. I have been to The Philippines 5 times since October 2012. Each time I have lived in her Apt for at least 1 month. This time approx 1-2 weeks after we marry I must head back to The US.

soon thereafter I will file the 130. I have tons of pictures I will get 3 affidavits while here in Philippines. 1 from a family member and 2 from friends. 1 being her boss and the other a well respected government official in Philippines. I of course have 5 sets of travel documents coming to Philippines as well as receipts of all types. Phone records emails IM's,Skype records. I have spent parts of every month since October until now for a total of approx 5 moths of living with Genefer.We don't have co mingling of funds or receipts from her rent payments. Even though I help with her rent when I can. I do send her money via Western Union so I have some of those receipts. As I say in the topic title Proving a Bonafide Marriage is my concern. We know it'sBonafide but do I need some more proof?   Am I being paranoid or just reading and re reading too much of VJ and other sites?


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-15 01:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm of Affidavit of Bona Fide Marriage

 

My laugh factor is on what USCIS would possibly tell you.

They are not known for being the smartest.

I will apologize for not knowing that since I am quite the newbie.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-19 08:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm of Affidavit of Bona Fide Marriage

Affidavits are barely looked at.

So, do you really think anyone cares if they are notarized?

A notary confirms the person signing it is the person they say they are.

It does not confirm what they write in the letter is true.

Anyone could put anything in those letters.


 

There's no point in calling NVC for anything in regards to this.

And I'd be curious to see what USCIS told you just purely on laugh factor.
 


 

I don't know what you mean 'that's too bad' my point was you have plenty of evidence w/o the letters.



So the "funny" thing is that we come here for help. This is supposed to be a site that helps people. So when you say you'd like to know purely on a laugh factor it comes off as offensive. Not sure if you meant it as a bit of sarcasm. Thats how it sounds. If it is supposed to be sarcasm it sucks and because I enjoy this forum so I will keep my comments to that.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-19 07:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm of Affidavit of Bona Fide Marriage

I had heard they had to be notorized. So who knows what gives. I suggest that people like you and I should call the NVC or UCSIS for the straight ######. JMO.


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-19 07:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm of Affidavit of Bona Fide Marriage

Hello VJ fam!

 

Where do I find a sample of a bona fide marriage affidavit?  I dont mean sample as to content - I figure this would vary on a case by case basis, but sample as to what it should like on paper.....  Do they look like a letter addressed to USCIS and contain the word Affidavit in the re. line or do they look like court submitted Affidavits (I am familiar with the way Canadian affidavits (e.g. affidavit of service) look like)?

 

Thanks!!!

I am going thru same thing see if this helps.

Attached Files


MarkGeneferMalePhilippines2013-06-19 07:03:00