biggish data

For the Visa Interview:

What to bring:

1. DS-156 "Nonimmigrant Visa Application" (2 copies) (To be completed online CLICK HERE)
2. DS-157 "Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application" (2 copies) and copy of the receipt of your visa payment
3. DS 156K "Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application" (1 copy)
4. NOA2 Approval Notice (Copy or Original)
5. Birth Certificate (original)
6. NBI Clearance (original)
7. Police Clearance (original)
8. CENOMAR (original)
9. Passport Photos (2 copies) (Per Packet 4, pg 8, the size of the photos should be 2 inches by 2 inches)
10. I-134 Affidavit of Support (1 Copy per visa applicant plus back-up documents), which includes copies of the past three (3) years of Federal Tax Returns and W2s, past six (6) months of Pay Stubs, and Employer Letter.
11. Evidence of Relationship - This information varies per couple but here is a list of some of the things we supplied: affidavits, Photos, Flight Itinerary, Hotel Receipt, Greeting Cards, Emails, Yahoo Messenger Instant Messenger Log, Yahoo Messenger Instant Message Excerpts, Talklook.com International Call History, Yahoo Messenger Call Log, Union Telecard International Calling Card Orders and etc...

NOTE: The DS-156 "Nonimmigrant Visa Application" must be completed online to include the barcodes. The DS-156K "Nonimmigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application" and DS-157 "Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application" can be completed by hand, computer (preferred), or typed (just as good). If you have pictures, please take the orginals (the USE will return them following the visa interview). Also, food, drinks, or electronic devices are prohibited inside of the USE. The beneficiary should have a complete copy of the petition package (just in case).

FAQ by the Consular Officer (Sample Listing):

What's your name?
When is your birth date?
What is your mother and father's names?
Are you a terrorist or affiliated with any organization plotted to take over the American Government?
Who petitioned you?
What's your relationship to the petitioner?
How old is your fiance(e)?
Why do you want to come to the United States?
Do you know if your fiancé(e) was married before?
When and how did you meet your fiancé(e)?
How do you communicate?
How long have you been corresponding with your fiancé(e)?
How often do you talk to each other?
Have you ever been to the US?
How many times has he visited you?
When did your fiance(e) visit you?
Do you have any children?
Does your fiance(e) have any children?
Will there be a problem with the child from your fiance(e)'s previous relationship(s)?
Where do you plan to live in the United States?
What does your fiancé(e) do for a living?
What do you do for a living?
What is your fiancé(e)'s religious background?
What is your religious background?
Do you have any wedding plans?
Are you planning to have children?
What are your fiancé(e)'s parents names?
Does your fiancé(e) have any brothers or sisters?
Do you speak and understand your fiancé(e)'s language?
When do you plan on entering the US?
Please take a seat in the lobby and wait for your number to flash again.

NOTE: The CO only asks a few questions. This is a compilation from various interview experiences.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Hello Sheriff,

Thanks for the information.

Congrats to the approved Vjer's.

Keep your chin up Glenn..

Welcome to the forum Buggygirl...

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-17 21:54:00

My baby got her visa in hand today. She passed her interview on April 4th. I want to thank everyone here for their prayers and this community and I wish everyone who is going through this stressful time the best of luck. It is certainly a test of faith and love. I don't think it would have been easier without everyone here. May God bless you all.

Will

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-14 15:01:00

We Got It. Visa In Hand
Interview was 4/10/07 Everything went fine, only lasted 15 mins After waiting in line forever!!
Recieved Visa 4/13/07 Wow...3 days

Congratulations.......Wow 3 days I hope my luck is half as good as yours.
God Bless.
:star:

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-13 20:14:00

Wow..Congrats Cor. So glad you are not Patiently Waiting any longer!!!
Best of luck to you and your hubby in the future.
Thankyou for all you help.
God Bless

Welcome Island Princess to the thread.....May your journey be fast and successful.

:thumbs:

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-13 19:55:00

Hello All VJers

Congratulations on the recent visa approvals.

Thanks to Sheriff for information and PW for adding me.
PW hope all goes weel for you and your long wait is over soon.

Hope to become better acquainted with all of you.

Quick question..they never seem to end..sorry
I have seen reference in these posts to having a CENOMAR (Certificate of no marriage record) as part of a fiancee's interview documents. I can't seem to find it in the US Embassy (Manila) listing of required documents. Is this a document I should have my fiancee obtain to add to her interview documents?
Thankyou for any help with this.

Also is there any ladies (VJers) from the Philippines who are going to or already are residing near the Albuquerque, New Mexico who might be willing to become friends with my fiancee (soon to be wife). Just trying to prepare for her future arrival here and help her feel more comfortable.
Thanks All

Carl

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-11 21:23:00

Dean, we are happy to know that Gra has enough time to make it to her interview inspite of the additional test.

Maybe for our future members, especially the beneficiary, it is best to be upfront with your petitioner about any past medical issues. If there is history of TB, go to a doctor right away and have an x-ray taken. In case it turns out positive, you can undergo treatment for 6 months while waiting for the petition to go through its normal process. By the time you are scheduled for your St. Lukes medical, (and it is suggested to take take this a month earlier than actual schedule), any medical issues you may have had would have been resolved by then.
Hmm i would quote but i am forum challenged. Well I visted my sweety April 2006, so it has been a year since I seen her. I did not know that 2 or visits where needed to satisfy the requirements till now. Also I was trying to get the TSA job and now I have it, so I will make the income requirements for sure. One problem of having a big filipino community here, alot of them don't know K1 visa's here. Everybody comes as here as family visas. So the new problem is i might not be able to visit her, before her interview. I filed the packett already. I just will pray I have not evidence for the first part. Well nothing I can do now but pray and wait.
Psoas, one visit is enough to get your petition approved at USCIS. Others have been approved at embassy level with only one visit, however, it would make it easier for your fiancée to convince a ConOff about the bona fides of your relationship if you visit her more than once. Two or more visits are desirable but not a requirement.

I replied with updated info regarding our case but I don't see it in the running list. It's in the old thread but everything is in my sig.
Your K3 timeline is updated. Do you have any new development on CR? I may have missed reading your update. Please let me know if I missed anything.

I have a question about Alien # on the I-864. Lorna has never had an alien # and I just wanted to make sure she still does not have one. We got all the way to the inteview with her CR-1 before being put on AR so I'm asking you folks if she has been given an alien # somewhere along the process. Since she is not an alien yet, I assume she doesn't have this # yet until she actually becomes an alien.

Lorna's assigned Alien Number is in the NOA1 and NOA2. It is written on top of the beneficiary's name (Lorna's name). It looks something like this A123 456 789

I do have some questions... I know I need to book the ticket in my maiden name as that's what's in my passport. But on the return trip, will I have a problem checking in (for the flight from the Philippines and clearing immigration here) with my passport and my greencard having different names?
From other posts I've read (not Manila), you need to bring a copy of your marriage contract so you can show them in case of questions.

Updating list to welcome AnneiyandJacky!

Legend:
OK - Visa approved
AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required
ME - Military Expedite
AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name..................NOA2....MNL REC'D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD
K1 LIST
01..gobdogman.......09-07-06..10-20-06..xx-xx-xx..02-26-07..2006-789xxx..AR..Awaiting DNA result of baby

02..patrick808......10-18-06..10-30-06..01-24-07..03-08-07..2006-800xxx..OK..Date and place delivered please
03..Joone745........10-20-06..11-01-06..xx-xx-xx..03-09-07..2006-800xxx..OK..Mar 16/07 days/Bacolod
04..Wes.............11-02-06..11-17-06..12-29-06..03-20-07..2006-818xxx..AR..Pending result of add'l tests
05..49bstreet.......09-29-06..11-21-06..01-23-07..03-21-07..2006-820xxx..OK
06..maylet29........10-27-06..11-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Mar 27/05 days/Quezon City
07..kismet..........11-02-06..11-20-06..01-26-07..03-22-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Mar 28/06 days/Cainta
08..iya.............11-02-06..11-20-06..02-02-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx..OK..Mar 29/06 days/Quezon City
09..boch............11-08-06..11-29-06..01-05-07..03-23-07..2006-820xxx..OK
10..B&N.............11-03-06..11-29-06..01-24-07..03-26-07..2006-824xxx..OK
11..Alanlvsjudy.....11-06-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-27-07..2006-824xxx..OK..Apr 02/06 days/Pasay
12..EllaJosh........11-14-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-834xxx..OK
13..jackieadam......11-20-06..12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..03-23-07..2006-xxxxxx..OK..Mar 28/05 days/Makati

14..DeaniWait.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-27-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx..OK
15..wthornton.......11-28-06..12-19-06..02-26-07..04-04-07..2006-842xxx..??
16..DocMay..........11-15-06..12-12-06..02-26-07..04-10-07..2006-845xxx
17..George&Jenny....11-27-06..12-12-06..xx-xx-xx..04-10-07..2006-845xxx
18..genlramos.......11-17-06..12-19-06..xx-xx-xx..04-11-07..2006-845xxx
19..DaveandFleur....10-17-06..12-19-06..02-28-07..04-11-07..2006-845xxx
20..PatientlyWait...12-04-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-13-07..2006-852xxx
21..Kayz............12-14-06..12-27-06..02-26-07..04-16-07..2006-854xxx
22..sanfrancisco....xx-xx-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-17-07..2006-8xxxxx
23..supra...........12-07-06..01-08-07..03-03-07..04-18-07..2006-860xxx
24..elmasguapo......12-15-06..01-08-07..xx-xx-xx..04-24-07..2006-xxxxxx
25..Dean/Gra........12-26-06..01-04-07..02-27-06..04-23-07..2007-503xxx
26..Mike Marivic....01-04-07..01-20-07..02-26-07..04-24-07..2007-508xxx
27..CocoPuff........12-29-06..01-16.07..03-03-07..04-25-07..2007-5xxxxx
28..MarieandBryan...01-10-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..04-27-07..2007-52xxxx

29..Skeeter211......01-17-07..02-27-07..04-02-07..05-03-07..2007-52xxxx
30..chadandlira.....01-25-07..xx-xx-xx..04-02-07..05-09-07..2007-536xxx
31..Honeysweet......02-01-07..02-20-07..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-540xxx
32..imaskin.........02-07-07..xx-xx-xx..03-30-07..05-24-07..2007-xxxxxx
33..gracy_byron.....02-08-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-18-07..2007-xxxxxx
34..chadmides.......02-12-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..05-10-07..2007-547xxx
35..joemaria........02-12-07..02-28-07..xx-xx-xx..05-22-07..2007-55xxx

36..orion44.........02-22-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx
37..David-MaeForev..02-27-07..03-14-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-564xxx
38..JeffK...........03-08-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-573xxx

K3 LIST
01..AnneiyandJacky..11-28-06….xx-xx-xx..02-27-07..04-17-07..2006-685xxx
03..dj2004..........11-16-06..12-12-06..02-27-07..04-03-07..2006-839xxx..OK
04..M&M.............11-20-06..xx-xx-xx..03-02-07..04-16-07..2007-503xxx
05..Jeff&Boo........12-26-06..01-12-07..02-26-07..04-26-07..2007-5xxxxx

06..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx
07..Robor007........02-06-07..02-26-07..03-30-07..05-15-07..2007-546xxx

IR-1/CR-1
Name.................NOA2.....CASE CMPLT..PACKET..INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#..STATUS
01..w1n78...........09-05-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-02-07..2006-764xxx..AR..Mar 23/21 days/Makati
02..soulm8z0928.....09-06-06..11-16-06..02-05-07..03-14-07..2006-76xxxx..OK..Mar 20/06 days/Metro Manila
03..M&M.............09-07-06..11-15-06..02-05-07..03-15-07..2006-765xxx..OK..Mar 19/4days/Taguig
04..dims1...........09-20-06..12-01-06..02-06-07..03-19-07..2006-775xxx..AR..hang in there!
05..KimTung.........09-26-06..12-21-06..xx-xx-xx..03-22-07..2006-779xxx..AR
06..randynrose......09-29-06..02-06-07..03-06-07..04-20-07..2006-xxxxxx
07..StarProg........12-28-06..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-508xxx
08..Robor007........02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..2007-xxxxxx

Hello PatientlyWaiting,

Can you add me to your list.

NOA2 - 4/05/07
Case - xx-xx-xx
Packet - xx-xx-xx
interview - xx-xx-xx
mnl case - 2007-xxxxxx

Thanks

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-08 20:32:00

Hello Sheriff,

Thankyou for the informative posting. One quick question..Does the NVC send you a letter with your DOS/embassy case number once they get the NOA2 approval from USCIS? I have recieved an email notification from the USCIS website of NOA2 approval as well as my online account there was updated to reflect this. I understand it now shifts to Dept of State (NVC, embassy) just wondering how or when might I get the case number so I can check interview/medical appointment status.

Thankyou
Carl

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-08 02:07:00

E-ticket to Philippines

I think it depends on airline and ticket agent. I have traveled to Philippines in 2005 and twice in 2006. I was issued an E-ticket (electronic iternary) for all times flying United Airlines in the US, connecting to Cathay Pacific to Philippines. I used the bt-store.com agency, they will tell you some routes/airlines may issue paper tickets.

Flip a coin??

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-05-21 22:34:00

Age difference between Filipinas and americans (Poll)

Well 41 & 19 makes that 21 and change...

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2007-04-03 22:44:00

Please Help! How can I get a Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage in bacolod!?

Best thing to do is plan your trip and make appointment.
I am not sure if you can do that for Cebu Embassy Annex, but you can for Manila.
If you make appointment you will get affidavit in a few minutes. Also check embassy times, as they maybe limited.
You can always call Embassy and talk directly to them. They have a web page with much information.
http://manila.usembassy.gov/

Fiancee is not required as they are performing a service for you as US citizen.

Manila and Cebu are only two US embassy offices in Philippines and you must go there.
It cannot be done in US either.

You will also need you Birth Certificate and copies, Divorce Documents or Death Certificate from previous
Marriage. US Passport as well as Affidavit. They may require you to have a CENOMAR
from the NSO for yourself. Your fiancee will also need one and can obtain for you at the closest
NSO office to her.

Do I have to bethere with my fiance??

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-19 13:45:00

Why not secure a Cenomar first so you would know if your marriage is really recorded at the NSO. From there, you can start to look for solutions. If it is recorded, you can ask the NSO people what is the next move. If they cannot give you an answer, seek the advice of a lawyer. In my opinion, if your past marriage was recorded at the NSO and you were able to get married in other municipalities without the Cenomar, you will also submit a Cenomar later when you will have to file a petition for your wife.

But I am also thinking, your past marriage and divorce took place in the US and was just recorded at the NSO for passport purposes. I am not sure if the Philippine law has jurisdiction over your case. I will ask my Judge about your concern. I am working in a Family Court, we handle annulment and judicial recognition of foreign judgment and adoption cases.

I will post it here after I confer with the Judge and other lawyers about your case.

Thank you but fiancee did goto NSO and I am in system as registered under a previous marriage
outside Philippines. They will not issue a CENOMAR.
We asked NSO they said maybe goto Manila City Hall and ask what to do.
I am not kidding...
Seems NSO do not even know how to deal with there own documents.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-24 18:38:00

You are making this way more complicated than what it is. Based on personal experience all you need is "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry" from US Embassy and citified copies of your divorce papers in order to get a marriage license in the Philippines. The problem is the Local Registrar may interpret the rules different. Normally the Philippines recognizes divorce by a foreigner, the Filipino ex-spouse is the one who needs to have the divorce recognized by Philippine courts in order for her to be free to remarry.

Normally there is a ten-day waiting period before the marriage license is issued by the registrar's office. In some instances the fiancée may apply in advance for the marriage license with the local civil registrar. The American citizen must then obtain the affidavit of legal capacity upon arrival in the Philippines and file it immediately with the civil registrar where the fiancée applied for the marriage license. A marriage license cannot be obtained by a fiancée without presence of the prospective spouse.

Some get confused about the marriage application and the marriage license, marriage applications are applied for all the time in the Philippines by only one of the parties because it may be almost impossible for one of them to travel to apply in person together, they only need to pick up the marriage license together. If one Local Registrar will not do that, then check with another municipality, all you need is a local address to apply for a marriage license.

Don't worry about NFO that is for Filipino citizens.

While I appreciate all posts, I do need legitimate responses not opinions that are not factual.

NSO not NFO

And please read Philippine law, to be married both participants must be legally able to marry..ie single.
The NSO is the official government office for records such as birth, death, marriage. As such if you cannot
get them to certify a marriage conducted in the Philippines, under Philippine law it is not legal.

While you may be able as you mention to find another local registrar who has not yet chosen to use CENOMARS, they must
register the marriage license with NSO to make it valid. Until I am not officially married by NSO recognition, no
marriage license will be validated and made legal by NSO.

I would be left in catch 22 back at beginning needing to get a laywer to straighten out NSO mess in courts.

I ask for legitimate answers for people who may have already been in this situation and found away through
it. Not someones opinion.

If you can prove what you say above, please do I will be sooo happy.

Send me contact information for NSO official who will validate that his office will
certify a marriage between a filipina and foriegner already in there system as married.
Seems funny they wont issue me a CENOMAR but will validate a marriage certificate therefor
saying we are legally single.

Also we have contacted 8 local registrars so far and they all say CENOMARS now required and all
applications require both applicants to apply in person before the 10 day (in Misamis Occidental for some reason it is 12 days) waiting period. It cannot be done remotely or by fiancee alone.
If so you have found one of the rare ones and I would like name of local registrar and phone number so we can explore that possibility.

Even the Cebu and Manila marriage application licensing process posted says the same thing.

So I am asking for legitimate solutions not peoples opinions.

Thank you.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-24 18:33:00

Don't be disheartened. You should travel on to the Philippines and see what you can get done in person. If you are not able to get married this trip it won't be the end of the world. If you get there and are able to get the NSO to set things straight fast enough you may be able to return to the US and go back a month or so later for the wedding. It will be more expensive that way, but no one ever claimed marrying someone overseas would be light on the wallet (outside the wedding itself which is SOOO much cheaper than in the US).

Unfortuneatly I only get two weeks vacation in a year, no carryovers. his year was used visiting her. Ti do as you say would mean to wait another year before we could see each other or attempt marriage. Travel time alone is 4 days for Philippines combined both ways, so I cannot break it down into two trips and as per LCR I need a month to just meet marriage requirements, not counting
NSO issue.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-24 18:18:00

Yes, the bill does seek that change in the current law but has not yet passed all the steps required to go into effect. I was unable to locate any news that Aquino had signed House Bill 4368 into law. However the issue is not what is coming up in the next year or so, but what is currently on the books and typically enforced by the courts. Laws change all the time. A much older friend of mine was confused when I explained all the paperwork involved in getting a visa for my wife. He told me when he came home with a war bride all he had to do is show up at the POE with his wife at his side carrying a certified marriage certificate.

Many of the people in the local Filipino community have been talking about the likelihood of divorce being made legal in the Philippines given current trends after Malta dropped out of the club last year. Some are heartbroken and devastated that one of the last bastions of Catholicism is being threatened. Others welcome the change. I imagine that even if for some reason the bill doesn't get signed that eventually foreign divorce decrees will be more easily recognized in the Philippines. For now though it's best to just contact a lawyer and jump through the hoops.

THank you all for your advise.

At this point we are at a brick wall.

I have talked to Philippine Embassy Consulate in LA, NSO office and Local Registry officials and no one can give us

an answer or process that will allow us to clear NSO and get married.

It is very disheartening to fiancee, family and myself.

All yourt comments are helpful; but very contradictory, with little exact details. So far I am unable to find a lawyer

in Ozamis City to talk to them. At this point I have no idea whom to contact neither does fiancee or there family.

I was so surprised that NSO gave us such a BS response " go to Manila city hall with divorce decree and marriage certificate and

ask there advise" this from the office that actually manages these same documents.

At this point we have no future and there is nothing more we can do. Family doews not want K1.

and there is nothing left for me to do as I have no one to call to get actual truthful information

on process as it seems both NSO and registry who controil this have no idea and thus we cannot get marriage certificate

from them. Also family said they will not allow her to move to another municipality. This wont fix anything anyways as

NSO records need to be fixed.

Thabnk you

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-23 12:23:00

http://208.184.76.17...ing-family-code

http://www.noodls.co...8E7D2FD8165FE22

http://www.congress...._15/HB04368.pdf

Ok I see the new changes in the family law.
I know how to get a Consular Authentication Of Judical Divorce decree in US.
How do I use it to get NSO to fix my record so we can get CENOMAR for myself as required by civil registrar.
I swear this is so difficult finding correct answers. I call Philippine Consolute, they have no idea,

Any help is appreciated.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-20 16:57:00

You will need to get the divorce recorded in the Phils also then, after that you can request the CENOMAR.

Hank,

Thank you for post. Any idea how I can get this done?
I have checked Philippine Embassy in Los Angeles as
well as NSO website and have found no guidance on this situation.

Thank you again

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-19 16:42:00

I honestly wish that people that suggested using bribes and graft to bypass local laws were banned from this forum. All it does is cause problems for people that expect it to work and instead end up paying fines, facing bans, or losing their freedom (which happened to one of my wife's co-workers after trying to bribe an official in Manila). The number of people that use this forum is tiny compared to the actual number of people that seek immigration to the US, especially in the Philippines. Fewer people still would come forward about attempting to commit a crime and having it backfire.

If the local registrar wants to increase the time required for the posting it is likely for reasons close to heart for the locals. If your marriage is planned for a few months from now perhaps you can have your fiance move to Manila or Cebu. It only takes a couple of months to establish local residency and the larger cities are more likely to follow the established family code.

If you really cannot get the wedding done in three weeks and your job is so totalitarian that you can't request a few weeks of unpaid personal time it may be time to find a new line of employment.

Thankyou for your post, but suggesting new employment is not really a constructive post to help
solve my filipina and my problem.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-19 16:39:00

Yes, your marriage is on record at the NSO. It's on record at the NSO because you reported your marriage to the Philippines Consulate in San Francisco as a requirement for your wife to get a new passport.

If you want to order a CENOMAR online, click here. You can also get one in person or by mail.

Since your previous marriage is on record at the NSO, when you order your CENOMAR, you will be issued a CEMAR (Form #5- Advisory on Marriages) which will show your previous marriage. You can't "update" it. Instead, you will submit your CEMAR and a certified copy of your divorce decree to the local civil registrar.

By the way, I've been on this board for four years, and I have never seen anybody get in trouble for a civil registrar "relaxing" their requirements. If anyone has had such a problem, I wish they would post about it.

Tahoma,

Thank you for post.
I will have fiancee ask Local Registrar if they will accept CEMAR and divorce decree.
DO you have any suggestions for getting local registrar to relax " 12 work day posting requirement"?
Unfortuneatly I do not have a month time off to meet these requirements.

Thanks.
"

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-19 14:47:00

If you did not send a copy of your previous marriage certificate and complete the needed paperwork to NSO being your were married and divorced in the USA neither is on record with NSO. You have to file those to get them recorded in the Phils so if you did not get them recorded in the Philipinnes there is no record.

Unfortuneatly in order for ex-wife to get new passport 4 years ago, the Philippine embassy in San Francisco required paperwork of marriage for her. Thus I am
assuming it was recorded somewhere in the Philippines, the NSO being the most obvious place.

You not being a citizen of the Philippines I doubt you can get much of anything done with NSO, let alone be in their computer.

If you did not send a copy of your previous marriage certificate and complete the needed paperwork to NSO being your were married and divorced in the USA neither is on record with NSO. You have to file those to get them recorded in the Phils so if you did not get them recorded in the Philipinnes there is no record.

You not being a citizen of the Philippines I doubt you can get much of anything done with NSO, let alone be in their computer.

Unfortuneatly in order for ex-wife to get new passport with her new name four years ago, the San Francisco Philippine Embassy required
paperwork to record foriegn marriage. I am just assuming this ended up at the NSO.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-19 14:02:00

Thank you for that post, its what I am trying to find out. Most other posts tell me what they did. I know all the requirements.
We have talked to Local Registrar. This minicipality has chosen to make tougher requirements and it cannot be done in less than
one month locally.
Ten calendar days maybe Philippine family law requirement but the local registry can change that. As this one did making it 12
twelve work days for a total of 16 days posting. Plus they said one day to register and pick up next day for a total of 18 days.
Also they will not allow marriage seminar to be done until after posting, adding additional time.

From what I was told fiancee had to be a resident and thus was only eligible in her own town.
Your post gives me hope we can get around that and find a town that she can pay resident tax, and we can register
for license in the 10 calendar day reguirement.

As for CENOMAR anyone know how I might check NSO from US and if they have a record of my previous marriage
in the US, how do I go about getting it updated with proper divorce paperwork?

Thank you

The worst thing you could do is to circumvent the local registrar's requirement for a CENOMAR for you and your wife. DON'T DO THIS despite what you have read from other posters about them giving grease monies to the authorities. The consequence for you if you happen to get caught and punished is for you to be deported! This is very serious.

The reason for the CENOMAR for you although you are a foreigner is to make sure that you're not making a career of picking up a bride there, divorcing them in the States, then coming back to marry another one. Some foreigners make a profession of this and this is called "human trafficking", and that's the reason for the CENOMAR. It is to make it difficult for foreigners to marry again, and again in the Philippines. More and more municipalities are requiring this, but not all. What you could do is to find out which municipalities do not require this and get married there.

When I got married in the Philippines (Metro-Manila), some of the cities within the Metro do not honor the "Legal Capacity Affidavit from the US Embassy". What they require is a "certification" from the US Embassy that you are really divorced and legally able to marry. The US Embassy, of course, said "hogwash" and would not conform as they do not have the administrative capacity to check up on the authenticity of your divorce papers. What I did was to look for a city that honor the affidavit from the US Embassy and found Marikina City. Your fiancee is required to obtain her marriage license from her town of residence, but this is easy to obtain from another city as all she has to do is pay the "residential tax" for another place (about P20) and she's good to get a marriage license. Once the marriage license is obtained, usually after 10 working-days of posting, and the family-seminar is attended, you can get married ANYWHERE in the Philippines.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-19 13:33:00

I know about affadavit, been to local registrar they are not budging, need cenomar for myself and fiancee and must wait 12 days total of 16 plus seminar.
need advise on foriegn cenomar and how to find another way as local registrar has expanded requirements required by Philippine family law.

All,

Sorry for what must have been posted before, but looking for updated information and ideas.

I am engaged to a filipina living in Ozamis City (Misamis Occidental). She and her family would like
us to have a civil wedding in Ozamiz City. She has talked to local Registrar and from this we have run into
several questions/Issues.

1) I am divorced from a filipina from my past where we were married and divorced in the US. During marriage
we were required to file paperwork with Philippine embassy about marriage for passport purposes, thus our US
marriage was recognized registered in Philippines. The local registrar says I must provide a cenomar
from the NSO for myself. First I did not know that was possible, second if so I am sure they have me married to a filipina as
my divorce was done in US and is controlled by states not nationally. So will my marriage show up in NSO?
Can they issue cenomar to foriegn national? if I show as married how do I fix this?

2) As alot of US employee's I am only giving 3 weeks vacation. According to timeline we figured out based on local registrar
reguirements, I would need at least a month in the philippines. This is not possible.
The local registrar is saying 12 days posting based on 5 day work week thus 16 days posting, plus one day filing and one day pickup.
Also a one day seminar after waiting period. not during or before. I have seen posts here saying they did it in 10 calendar days,
same day, conflicts on pre-marriage seminar. Seen posts saying judge expediated etc, we do not see a judge but a registrar that makes the rules in
the city. Is there any place or way we can get married but meet requirements in a reasonable time frame?

We are out of options...

Thank you

Carl Richardson

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-18 16:57:00

All,

Sorry for what must have been posted before, but looking for updated information and ideas.

I am engaged to a filipina living in Ozamis City (Misamis Occidental). She and her family would like
us to have a civil wedding in Ozamiz City. She has talked to local Registrar and from this we have run into
several questions/Issues.

1) I am divorced from a filipina from my past where we were married and divorced in the US. During marriage
we were required to file paperwork with Philippine embassy about marriage for passport purposes, thus our US
marriage was recognized registered in Philippines. The local registrar says I must provide a cenomar
from the NSO for myself. First I did not know that was possible, second if so I am sure they have me married to a filipina as
my divorce was done in US and is controlled by states not nationally. So will my marriage show up in NSO?
Can they issue cenomar to foriegn national? if I show as married how do I fix this?

2) As alot of US employee's I am only giving 3 weeks vacation. According to timeline we figured out based on local registrar
reguirements, I would need at least a month in the philippines. This is not possible.
The local registrar is saying 12 days posting based on 5 day work week thus 16 days posting, plus one day filing and one day pickup.
Also a one day seminar after waiting period. not during or before. I have seen posts here saying they did it in 10 calendar days,
same day, conflicts on pre-marriage seminar. Seen posts saying judge expediated etc, we do not see a judge but a registrar that makes the rules in
the city. Is there any place or way we can get married but meet requirements in a reasonable time frame?

We are out of options...

Thank you

Carl Richardson

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2012-11-18 16:24:00

Flying to Phillippines and Returning with Fiancee

Hello Vjer's

I have read some posts regarding flying to and from the Philippines but still have questions.

Would love to hear how others managed it.

I will be flying to Philippines in the fall, waiting for MNL# from NVC to pay fee's and get interview schedule.

Will be bringing back fiancée and child. (Child will be right at 2 years old depending on interview schedule).

Researching airline prices in the fall looks to be around 1000.00 to 1400.00 for economy adult round trip.

I have also noticed there are opportunities for first time immigrant discounts on one-way for tickets purchased in PH.

Most airlines allow toddlers to fly in Mothers lap for small fee (<2 years old), but as the time is so close and the travel is very long and tiring, its best to just look at child as requiring a seat.

PAL does offer some percentage discount, but I have found most airlines charge full fares for children on there

discount fares (economy fares) most of us buy.

This leads to a very expensive travel fare for three.

I have opportunity to use airline miles to get a one-way ticket to the Philippines and buy three one-ways for us on a Asian airline utilizing immigrant discount for two of them (as well as having better baggage policies). Looking at St Rapheals online the fee's are around 650.00 -800.00 (depending on airline, including fees/taxes) for the one-way tickets.

As the Philippines requires a valid exit flight within 21 days of arrival.

Couldn't purchasing a inexpensive Cebu pacific flight (ahead of time and have electronic ticket with you) from Manila to say Singapore, hong kong etc meet the Philippine Immigration Law requirements as well as any US carrier like United for travel to Philippines?

Has anyone done something like this?

Three one-ways would be 1950.00 approx. (depending on airline) total verses 2500.00 + depending on getting matching one-ways to match up purchased round trip at last minute.

Airlines have recently been raising fees on changing ticket travels dates. Open ended round trip tickets are even higher.

Airline prices may dip in fall some but higher prices are here to stay as well as increased costs associated with travel (ticket changes, baggage, airport fees)

Any idea's appreciated.

Just got email for NCOA2 from USCIS so starting final planning.

Good Luck all

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-07-14 20:12:00

Visa Scheduling Philippines Question

Hank

Thank you for information.

Christine & Carl

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-08-10 21:59:00

Visa Scheduling Philippines Question

Hello

When scheduling for visa interview in the Philippines, can the petitioner create the login account or does it need to be in the name of the applicant?

Thank you

Carl

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-08-09 18:20:00

Advice - Purchasing airline tickets prior to interview

VJer's

I'm looking for some advice to help make some decisions.

Situation:

Traveling to PH around Oct 20 to be there for my fiancee' interview on Oct 22.

As we all know I have 21 total days on US passport in PH, as well as about the same

number of available vacation days.

Our goal is to hopefully pass visa interview and get K1/K2 visa (have a daughter as well)

problem is when to book airline tickets? Waiting for visa in hand makes the cost of three

one-way fares to USA cost prohibitive when having to buy last minute seats. (not being cheap

but the cost of fiancée and child thru this process can be very expensive and that's just the beginning)

I have talked to several travel agencies in PH and they say most likely there will be no first time immigrant

or promo fares if you wait to a few days before travel to purchase tickets.

While I see a lot Filipina's go thru interview process on there own and after they get visa, fiancée buys there

ticket at a later date for just them (they are not constrained to last minute flight arrangements.). This is not the case with us as she really wants me to be there and to make sure everything is right so we have increased chance of passing interview.

I had planned to be there a few days prior to go over documentation and ensure she knew everything they might ask of her.

I figured I could purchase one-way tickets for all of us on Nov 6 given 15 regular days and 11 business for visa delivery.

Any advice on alternate action and reasoning would be appreciated.

Any experience with a travel agency that was able to work with last minute tickets and possibly

good policy on ticket hold/rescheduling?

Also anyone know if visa delivery set to 2GO in MOA (Manila) how long will they hold for? (this could ensure a few days quicker delivery and we could wait and fly back to Manila and pick up visa a few days before actual flight) as she lives in Misamis occidental and most likely take a few extra days to deliver.

Appreciate any idea's

(Oh I'm flying into PH on UAL travel award with a Cebu pacific promo fare to Hong Kong as outbound flight to satisfy PH custom's & immigration).

Best wishes to all those affected by the Typhoon and flooding in the PH

Christine & Carl

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-08-20 03:16:00

Oct. 17 interview date

Good Luck, Oct 22 for us at US Embassy Manila

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-10-06 11:14:00

Interview US Embassy Manila Oct.18,2013 K1 visa

Good Luck, Ours is on Oct 22.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-10-06 11:16:00

DS-230 For K-2 Child

Do you have an interview date scheduled for the K2, if yes did you schedule it before Oct. 7th? If not then you don't use the DS-230 part 1.

Use the DS-160. Follow the NEW embassy instructions letter.

As for father information, if there is nothing on the birth certificate then you would put NONE.

Thank you Hank,

Yes We scheduled interview in early Sept 2013. The interview is for Oct 22, coming up fast.

So I must still use DS-230 Part I.

Regards,

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-10-10 22:41:00

DS-230 For K-2 Child

Hello All,

I am filling out the DS-230 Part 1 as required for Interview at USEM.

Under Item 19-23 it is asking for Child's Father information.

To make a long story short, Childs Birth Certificate has no father.

My understanding is that in the Philippines they accept this as meaning there

is no biological father and has no rights.

Fiancee does not have the fathers information.

How do we fill this out ?

How will this affect interview?

Any guidance would be helpful.

Regards,

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-10-10 18:11:00

Oct 22 Interview Date

Anyone have an Oct 22 Interview date?

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-10-17 00:36:00

Oct 22 Interview Date

Our interview is Oct 22 at US Embassy, Manila

If you would like to make contact please reply.

Good Luck to all VJer's

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-10-06 11:20:00

was your fiancee ever married to the babys father?

Louie,

No she was never married and once she was pregnant
his family had him move to another part of the Philippines
and they denied any involvement. She thus put no father
on BC as advised.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-02-03 20:13:00

No the 17 month old will not need an NBI.

Your Fiancee brings the Forms to the interview she does not mail them in.

Your Fiancee documents DS156 (2) DS156K (2) DS157 (2) DS-230 Part 1 only (1), plus the I-134 and supporting documents

The little one DS156 (2) DS157 (2) DS230 Part 1 (1)

Your Fiancee will only get letter (if she is Lucky) telling her to go to the U S Embassy Manila website for the packet. They no longer mail it.

My better half had her interview Jan 28th and they asked who the father was and she said unknown and that was that.

Be sure to check the document list because they do get changed and updated once in a while.

Mik2012

Thank you very much for your reply.
One further question. I believe you have to pay a visa application fee before you
can schedule your interview via BPI.I am assuming that we will have to pay
that for both fiancee(K1) and daughter(K2). As well as medical exam for both.

Thank you.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-02-03 20:11:00

Vj's

Followup: My fiancee daughter birth certificate has no fathers name on it. He left and his family refused to have acknowledge or
have anything to do with her.
I have read for K2 father consent is needed. He is not on BC and cannot be contacted.
Will this be a problem?

Thank you.

Christine n Carl

Male

Philippines

2013-02-03 16:58:00