ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMarriage certificate
The procedure for Egypt was all the steps you mentioned: Official translation must be stamped by ministry of foreign affairs. Then take that back to the embassy. They will examine the translation, attach it to an original, and add a top page notarized by the Consular section American citizen services.

QUOTE (Honeyandsweetie @ Jul 6 2009, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi everyone, So we got married this weekend and now a new journey begins... For those of you who were married abroad how did you go about certifying your marriage certificate so that it will be a legal document in the states? I was told that marriage certificate would need to be translated, second it needed to be stamped by the department of foreign affairs and department of justice. Iam not sure if I will need to take the certificate to the US embassy and have them notarize it....The embassy's website isn't very helpful.


LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-21 15:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaHello Saturday!
QUOTE (Turia @ Jul 25 2009, 06:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome to Patricia and Canadace. My husband is off to his book sale today. I told him its time to stay home once and get some work done around here, so guess what I get to do! GRRRRRRR men! Gotta love em I guess, can't do anything else with em. He got free tickets to Italian Fest. He says give to my son, there is nothing there for him ( no books). So much for that.

Everyone have a good day!


Where is this book sale? Is he buying or selling?
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-25 13:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaFree at last!
QUOTE (mamaSue @ Jul 25 2009, 04:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Alhamdulillah......
Good riddance... and congratulations!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif


Fancy meeting you here MamaSue!

I don't know the story but everyone seems happy about it - so congrats on your divorce.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-24 22:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhat's the best way to book a flight for hubby??
You can use Expedia.com to book a flight that originates in Egypt. Or you can do it direct on the Delta website. Delta also has an office in Maadi. You can call and reserve the flight and then they will hold that price for one week until you go to the office to pay. (You can do it this way if you don't have a credit card.) Delta runs a direct flight out of CAI to JFK that is competitive with Egypt Air's prices - if not cheaper.

Edited by LunaticFringe, 21 July 2009 - 02:49 PM.

LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-21 14:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday
QUOTE (amal @ Jul 27 2009, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (LunaticFringe @ Jul 27 2009, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Turia @ Jul 27 2009, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Morning! Head is pounding, asthma kicking up and I feel miserable.


Sorry to hear that. I have been getting migranes in this heat. It was 43 in Cairo today.
Good thing I don't know the celcius scale...I don't even want to know what that is in
farenheit!

Hope you feel better.


109.4 degrees farenheit... right up there with us in Houston! good.gif


109.4...I would have been better off not knowing that! 43 sounds a lot more bearable. Never been to Texas. But I lived in Florida and left because it was too hot. So I came to Egypt instead. Go figure!
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-27 15:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaMonday
QUOTE (Turia @ Jul 27 2009, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Morning! Head is pounding, asthma kicking up and I feel miserable.


Sorry to hear that. I have been getting migranes in this heat. It was 43 in Cairo today.
Good thing I don't know the celcius scale...I don't even want to know what that is in
farenheit!

Hope you feel better.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-27 13:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
QUOTE (Amanda_Raad @ Jul 29 2009, 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (a1angied @ Jul 29 2009, 12:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello an dHappy Hump day to all!
Amanda thanks for sharing my wedding party was in Irbid.
Jordan was an awesome adventure and would love to return soon but just know that is not possible for awhile, but I am sure glad that I found my awesome husabnd from this country!

We had our wedding in Irbid too...that is where my husband had lived all his life! I really love Jordan so much and I hope that one day we can move there!



I like Jordan, too and would prefer it to Egypt. But I've only been in Amman and Aqaba. Never been to Irbid. Is it North of Amman?
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-29 14:01:00
Middle East and North AfricaWednesday
QUOTE (Amanda_Raad @ Jul 29 2009, 01:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Morning MENA...Happy Hump Day.

I am wishing I was where this video was shot instead of at work today. sad.gif



I tried to watch the video you posted, but it is not available for viewing in Egypt. Strange. Was it your own video or a link that you posted from someone else's?
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-29 09:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaI lost my husband today
I'm new here, but I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I know there are very few words in a time like this that can make it any easier. But my thoughts are with you and your family.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-27 13:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaTuesday
QUOTE (amysaid @ Jul 28 2009, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Happy Tuesday everyone! I should be sleeping before my flight but am half-heartedly packing instead.



If I don't check in before I leave tomorrow morning then I'll see you all when I'm sweating my nuts off with my love in Giza. biggrin.gif


You got that sweating part right. Have a nice trip.

Edited by LunaticFringe, 28 July 2009 - 04:59 AM.

LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-28 04:58:00
Middle East and North Africahot in egypt?
QUOTE (Ayman and Yasmina @ Jul 29 2009, 04:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thank god for a/c...i refuse to go out cause of how hot its is...Me and baby emma are just happy sitting in the living room all day in the a.c


I'm the same way. I have not been out of the house in weeks (unless absolutely necessary). It's hotter this year than last year.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-29 00:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaOpinion??
QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Jul 30 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (LunaticFringe @ Jul 30 2009, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Jul 30 2009, 04:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kenza @ Jul 30 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, what kind of pics did you include? Pics of just you and your hubby?

oh ya, pics! we had an album full. The CO was only concerned about pics of me with his family. We had lots of those too, tahnk goodness. So, I would say to include some of you guys looking happy(of course they're all like that right) and as many that you have of you and his family.



You know what's really funny...I have been married over a year and living with my husband in Egypt, but there is only like one picture of us taken together since the day we got married. We are just not really into taking pictures (of ourselves). I wonder if this will cause a problem when we start our filing process. We also don't have any written communications with each other no cards or letters or emails or chats - we've never done any of that either. Is the "photographic and chat" evidence needed when you are not residing in the same country with your spouse or is it needed every time?

It's really for people living apart.
If you live with your spouse then there is no need to show that you email/chat/call everyday hee.
But I would DEF start taking pics together. Im sure you have a lease with both of your names on it and such? Basically your evidence of a bonofide/ongoing relationship is that you live together. You need not worry about chat logs and stuff, but do take pics and have all of your docs that show that you do indeed live together ready for the interview smile.gif


Wow. I never thought about it before. There is no lease. My husband lived in this apt unleased for 7 years prior to me moving in. We were just joking about the picture thing...might have to do like the characters in Green Card did - we will go out on the roof and take a bunch of pictures changing our clothes after every one! LOL
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-30 15:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaOpinion??
QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Jul 30 2009, 04:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kenza @ Jul 30 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, what kind of pics did you include? Pics of just you and your hubby?

oh ya, pics! we had an album full. The CO was only concerned about pics of me with his family. We had lots of those too, tahnk goodness. So, I would say to include some of you guys looking happy(of course they're all like that right) and as many that you have of you and his family.



You know what's really funny...I have been married over a year and living with my husband in Egypt, but there is only like one picture of us taken together since the day we got married. We are just not really into taking pictures (of ourselves). I wonder if this will cause a problem when we start our filing process. We also don't have any written communications with each other no cards or letters or emails or chats - we've never done any of that either. Is the "photographic and chat" evidence needed when you are not residing in the same country with your spouse or is it needed every time?
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-30 12:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaEgypt is where?
That made my day.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-30 02:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaI have a quick question about packages to Cairo
QUOTE (Betsy El Sum @ Aug 1 2009, 11:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I want to mail my sister in law and mother in law some bath and body works stuff to Egypt. My hubby said one of his friends told him that HE will have to pay a big fee to receive this package. Does anyone know if this is how it rolls in Egypt with packages?????


It does not matter how you mail the package (USPS, FEDEX, DHL) the fee is for customs. So even if you label the package "clothes" they will still assess a value on it and this is what the person has to pay to receive the package. They have the right to open and inspect the contents if the customs form attached to the package is not detailed enough - so I would not recommend lying about the contents of the package. When you mail the package, you will fill out the customs form and list all contents and their declared value. It does not matter if the stuff is used either - there will be a customs fee.

I once sent some used silver jewelry and a paperback book via FEDEX. I had to pay $300 to send it. The declared value of the stuff was like $12.99 for the book and $30 for the used jewelry. But the people I sent it to had to pay 280 pounds to get the package.

Another time I sent some books and a language CD and they had to pay 80 pounds.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-08-02 03:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaI have a quick question about packages to Cairo
QUOTE (Betsy El Sum @ Aug 1 2009, 11:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I want to mail my sister in law and mother in law some bath and body works stuff to Egypt. My hubby said one of his friends told him that HE will have to pay a big fee to receive this package. Does anyone know if this is how it rolls in Egypt with packages?????


It does not matter how you mail the package (USPS, FEDEX, DHL) the fee is for customs. So even if you label the package "clothes" they will still assess a value on it and this is what the person has to pay to receive the package. They have the right to open and inspect the contents if the customs form attached to the package is not detailed enough - so I would not recommend lying about the contents of the package. When you mail the package, you will fill out the customs form and list all contents and their declared value. It does not matter if the stuff is used either - there will be a customs fee.

I once sent some used silver jewelry and a paperback book via FEDEX. I had to pay $300 to send it. The declared value of the stuff was like $12.99 for the book and $30 for the used jewelry. But the people I sent it to had to pay 280 pounds to get the package.

Another time I sent some books and a language CD and they had to pay 80 pounds.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-08-02 03:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaAhh! It's Monday!
QUOTE (Kenza @ Aug 3 2009, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is my last week with my hubby until he comes inshallah in Sept. Friday I will be back home...


I hope you enjoy your week. I hope it goes slowly for you.

Time is just flying by for me. I am leaving Egypt for 5 weeks starting August 17. Will be in Indiana for 9 days and Florida the rest of the time.
I'm getting really frustrated because I have so much to do before I go and still need to make arrangements for a place to stay in Indiana.
But I need to be out of Egypt for a while. I can't wait to eat Mexican food.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-08-03 06:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Thursday
QUOTE (doodlebugg @ Aug 6 2009, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sandra/Ahmed @ Aug 6 2009, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sandrila @ Aug 6 2009, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome back Olivia.

I was surprised to hear you were coming back cuz you said you were going there to live and wait out the visa process.
What prompted you to come back so prematurely? I guess after having been ill there you are a little relieved to be back?

How neat if you and Sandra were on the same flight tongue.gif

Well I was on the KLM flight to Amsterdam then to Houston. Sandrila my husbands brother in law is the one working in Dubai, he picked me up in Cairo because Ahmed had to go back to the camp. Oliva glad you made it back, I will have to post some pix also from Hurghada, you all can find me on facebook if you want to add me, I know Olivia has it, but Sandrila if you want to add me or any one else feel free its under Sandra Massoud or Sandra Dunn. Now off to work I go. yeah.



My husband and I want to go to Amsterdam so bad! We watched a travel channel episode (i forget the woman's name but she used to be on the Champion window commercials) where this woman went to Amsterdam and she stayed on a houseboat. The houseboat was very flat compared to the taller ones you see here and it just looked so cozy and romantic!!! How is KLM as an airline? Hubby is probably going Delta but we'll look tonight to see what other options are out there. The flight we looked at last night goes from Boston to NYC and then from NYC to Cairo so no layovers other than NYC. It said it would be on a Delta plane but I wonder if it's really EgyptAir.


It's not Egypt Air. Delta flies direct from Cairo to JFK and vice versa. They started this direct route I think last year or the year before. We fly Delta all the time now and my husband refuses to set foot on Egypt Air again. Delta runs a smaller plane, but much better in my opinion. KLM is fantastic also. I flew KLM when I moved here because I had the dog with me and Egypt Air was charging outrageous fees for flying a dog cargo. I'm flying home on Delta from Cairo in 10 days.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-08-06 15:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need more education on halal foods
This is a very good book that has product names and information:


http://www.soundvisi...p?Item=4335-001

Also try these sites:

http://www.amazon.ca...nimalfreed0a-20

http://www.soundvisi.../ingridient.asp


LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-08-04 05:50:00
Middle East and North AfricaIntroduction
QUOTE (chasnik @ Jul 27 2009, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Sharifah, Im Cara married to Mohammed who has been here since Nov of 08. We've been together since 05...looking back the road doesnt look that long lol. Kind of like child birth I guess!!! I havent been on the site in a while but thought Id come back around to see what was happening. We live in Dalton Ga, which used to be the carpet capitol of the world, but I think it is probably the unemployment capitol now. I work for Windstream Communications as a programmer.....soooo please people dont cut your landlines!!!! Feed your fellow VJ'rs lol!!! I have a 15 yr old daughter and an 11 year old son and we are discussing one more...not sure about the starting over. Oh well enough rambling from me! Welcome to VJ!!!


I drove through Georgia all the time when I used to drive to Florida. Don't care much for the State, but I always thought Dalton looked like a cool place. Are all those carpet factories out of business now?
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-27 15:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaIntroduction
Skerber0: Don't know if you'll remember, but you contacted me once by email through my blog.

I just joined this forum yesterday and was a little hesitent because we are not planning on starting immigration process for a few more years. But after reading some posts and seeing others in similar positions were members, I figured it couldn't hurt to join now. Maybe if I keep up with all the info on here I'll be an expert in immigration in a few years time.

My name is Iman and I was born and raised in New York. Lived in the Bronx and upstate. I lived in Indiana for 10 years and currently hold Florida residency although I don't live there. I moved to Cairo in Feb 2008. I had met my husband in May of 2007 when I was making arrangements to move to Egypt. We had no plans to marry, but were just friends. Once I moved to Cairo, things took a different turn and we ended up married. So my plan to move to Cairo for a few years turned into a long term move. He has a good job in Cairo so we decided to hang out here for a while and move to the States in a few years (maybe longer). With the unemployment rate in the States right now - that's probably a good idea. I have to admit, that even after one and a half years living in Egypt, I am still having some bad days here. I miss so many aspects of my life, but at the same time I know if we go back now, and we are not ready, I will end up back to waiting tables for $2 per hour and I am not that anxious to get back to that. We have a large Rottweiler named Sierra that I brought with me from the States.

I started a blog (see link below) about my experiences living in Egypt - and lots of other random stuff.

I love dogs, books, photography (used to be wedding photographer in Indiana), and writing. Other interests include languages, sociology, women's issues, middle eastern studies, journalism, and Italian music.

QUOTE (skerber0 @ Jun 3 2009, 11:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, I am Simms, I am relatively new here, I just mostly read the post, but dont post much. I am really glad you started this tread, it has been great reading about everyone. So welcome to the board, it sure does seem to have lots of great info. We have not filed yet, but will soon so I am sooo glad I found this site. My love is in Cairo, I will be going there in July.
Lets see, I live in North Carolina, again he in Cairo, I have boy and girl twins who will be 4 in July, they are from a previous marriage. I will be 40 in Jan and I work as a business analyst. Hobbies used to be (not much time these days) crocheting, knitting, cooking, reading, candle making, any kind of crafty work really. I do have a dog, but he drives me nuts. LOL although he is a ver y sweet dog, and we got two goldfish last Sat, but they both died. sad.gif (anyone know anything about fish? what did i do wrong?)


LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-21 17:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaMuslims
QUOTE (skerber0 @ Jul 28 2009, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kenza @ Jul 28 2009, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (skerber0 @ Jul 28 2009, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am going to change the subject here a bit.
I am hoping some one can explain something to me, please. I have a co-worker who just converted to Islam also. Her husbands family is mostly Muslim and they had a family gathering this past weekend and she was told there are different beliefs in the Islamic faith. She nor I had ever heard this before. Can someone explain this to me?

maybe she was referring to shias, sufis, ismaillies


I am not sure, can you explain those differences to me?


Go to this website: http://www.islam4wom...age_id=8#high_3

Go about halfway down the page to a title that says: “Schools” within Islam : There are four different schools of jurisprudence within Islam

It talks of the different schools and splinter groups of Islam.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2009-07-28 09:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresmarried before entering on K-1

because we thought we can apply for K1 and start the process and i get married to her after the interview and after she get her visa!!! and not mention that we did get married when she arrives to the US. and we get married again (civil marriage) in the US and apply for AOS using the US marriage certificate not the Egyptian one, right??!! i mean how would USCIS know about it.


I did not read through all 3 pages of replies to this thread so I don't know if someone already pointed this out to you or not:

You cannot get married in Egypt AND in the US. I married my husband in Egypt at the MOJ (legal marriage). We took a vacation to Florida together later that year and wanted to get married in the US also so my family could attend. We went to the Courthouse to apply for a marriage license. When we got to the window the woman handed us an application packet and told us to go fill that out. At that moment I mentioned that we were already married and she snatched the papers back out of my hand and said "if you are already married you CANNOT apply for another marriage license."

If you want to have another marriage ceremony in the US after you marry in Egypt you can have a simple "renewal of vows" ceremony but there will be no legal marriage license issued during this. So your only legal proof of marriage will be your Egyptian (translated and certified by the US Embassy) marriage certificate.
LunaticFringeNot TellingEgypt2011-08-21 11:55:00