I smell a 221g :(

[curiousgeorgina 52]

Hi Everyone,

a few days ago, my husband got an email from the USEM:

REF CASE:

Congratulations on your upcoming immigrant visa interview. Your file is now with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and we have had a chance to review it. Based on our review, you need to bring the following documents with you to your interview.

Birth Certificate on NSO security paper for MY NAME GOES HERE

Marriage Certificate on NSO security paper for/between

Medical examination results for MY NAME GOES HERE

Certificate of No Record of Marriage (CENOMAR) on NSO security paper for MY NAME GOES HERE

NBI Clearance for MY NAME GOES HERE

My dilemma is this, DFA just forwarded my Report of Marriage to NSO last May 18, 2015, since that is the case, after the email, I went directly to NSO and requested for my NSO marriage certificate and CENOMAR (this I am assuming they meant CEMAR).. They said I can only get it on June 5th, and my CENOMAR will be after 4 days..

While it was my turn to pay, the cashier told me that I can only pay for the CENOMAR application at her booth and I have to go to a different building for my marriage form.. I asked her if what will show on my CENOMAR will be that I am already married, she did not respond, and said, just pay for the form here then go to the other building. And so I did...

And when I was at the other building, the lady there now informed me that CENOMAR will only show I am married after they have released my marriage cert.. which is June 5, which is a lot later than the date where they will release my CENOMAR.

I already have a cenomar last december 2014, since DFA site showed that I have to show one when I am reporting my marriage abroad. But this one shows I am still single.

I just found it inconsistent since when I downloaded the checklist from the USEM (pdf file) they said NSO security paper is only required if Marriage is done in the Philippines...

My interview is on the 27th of May, I chose not to change my interview date but I am expecting a 221g.. do they always request for the CEMAR?

I guess I am just ranting, hoping they won't ask for the dreaded CENOMAR/CEMAR.. I may have to show my old CENOMAR (which I obtained for ROM purposes) and explain to them the DFA only forwarded the report on the 18th.. I even have receipts that I already requested for the NSO papers..

Edited May 21, 2015 by curiousgeorgina

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Hi Everyone,

a few days ago, my husband got an email from the USEM:

REF CASE:

Congratulations on your upcoming immigrant visa interview. Your file is now with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and we have had a chance to review it. Based on our review, you need to bring the following documents with you to your interview.

Birth Certificate on NSO security paper for MY NAME GOES HERE

Marriage Certificate on NSO security paper for/between

Medical examination results for MY NAME GOES HERE

Certificate of No Record of Marriage (CENOMAR) on NSO security paper for MY NAME GOES HERE

NBI Clearance for MY NAME GOES HERE

My dilemma is this, DFA just forwarded my Report of Marriage to NSO last May 18, 2015, since that is the case, after the email, I went directly to NSO and requested for my NSO marriage certificate and CENOMAR (this I am assuming they meant CEMAR).. They said I can only get it on June 5th, and my CENOMAR will be after 4 days..

While it was turn to pay, the casheir told me that I can only pay for the CENOMAR application at her booth and I have to go to a different building for my marriage form.. I asked her if what will show on my CENOMAR will be that I am already married, she did not respond, and said, just pay for the form here then go to the other building. And so I did...

And when I was at the other building, the lady there now informed me that CENOMAR will only show I am married after they have released my marriage cert.. which is June 5, which is a lot later than the date where they will release my CENOMAR.

I already have a cenomar last december 2014, since DFA site showed that I have to show one when I am reporting my marriage abroad. But this one shows I am still single.

I just found it inconsistent since when I downloaded the checklist from the USEM (pdf file) they said NSO security paper is only required if Marriage is done in the Philippines...

My interview is on the 27th of May, I chose not to change my interview date but I am expecting a 221g.. do they always request for the CEMAR?

I guess I am just ranting, hoping they won't ask for the dreaded CENOMAR/CEMAR.. I may have to show my old CENOMAR (which I obtained for ROM purposes) and explain to them the DFA only forwarded the report on the 18th.. I even have receipts that I already requested for the NSO papers..

Well the worst case is that they give you a 221(g) RFE for the CEMAR, and since you are already prepared yourself for and RFE then I would go to the interview with your documents BUT.... BUT..... don't bring up the CEMAR story till you are asked for it. They may miss that document and at that point you are through your interview. If they ask then tell them the truth of when you expect the CEMAR will be release. Show them your receipt and let the chips land where they will.

This is not a biggy and in no way will you get declined so go and smile and be confident. Show them that you deserve this visa. Good Luck.... return and tell us what happened.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

Well the worst case is that they give you a 221(g) RFE for the CEMAR, and since you are already prepared yourself for and RFE then I would go to the interview with your documents BUT.... BUT..... don't bring up the CEMAR story till you are asked for it. They may miss that document and at that point you are through your interview. If they ask then tell them the truth of when you expect the CEMAR will be release. Show them your receipt and let the chips land where they will.

This is not a biggy and in no way will you get declined so go and smile and be confident. Show them that you deserve this visa. Good Luck.... return and tell us what happened.

Alright sir, will only show them my cenomar if they ask for it..

Thank you for the kind words sir, I will update my post once my interview is done. Again, thank you sir!

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Alright sir, will only show them my cenomar if they ask for it..

Thank you for the kind words sir, I will update my post once my interview is done. Again, thank you sir!

[euniceaiza 0]

I was at NSO yesterday and applied for CEMAR.. They told me it will be released on May 26 which is my interview date. So the guy at the cashier told me to go to another window para makiusap.. Then the kind woman just ask me to print my interview letter, so I did and then she whrote 05/23/2015 on my receipt. For sure they can bend the rules sometimes, try to go back with your interview letter.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

I was at NSO yesterday and applied for CEMAR.. They told me it will be released on May 26 which is my interview date. So the guy at the cashier told me to go to another window para makiusap.. Then the kind woman just ask me to print my interview letter, so I did and then she whrote 05/23/2015 on my receipt. For sure they can bend the rules sometimes, try to go back with your interview letter.

I tried asking the lady, but she said the shortest for my marriage certificate is two weeks since DFA only sent it to them a few days ago.. I was sent to NSO-SVEA building.

If only DFA didn't mess up my requirements I would've been done already with these certificates 2 months ago.. Instead they gave me a wrong info and so I have to wait for another 2 months. but it's done, I just hope next time they are more coordinated.

[SennaBrigante 92]

I only had a CENOMAR on my interview since I never reported my marriage to the Phil Embassy (got married in the US). Was never a problem. I just explained that I never got around to doing it. I still haven't done it, actually. I should probably get to it.

But yeah, worst case scenario is a 221g but I don't think it will be an issue as long as your bring your original marriage certificate with you to the interview.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

I only had a CENOMAR on my interview since I never reported my marriage to the Phil Embassy (got married in the US). Was never a problem. I just explained that I never got around to doing it. I still haven't done it, actually. I should probably get to it.

But yeah, worst case scenario is a 221g but I don't think it will be an issue as long as your bring your original marriage certificate with you to the interview.

oh wow, I do hope I will have the same experience as yours! I really hope they dont ask for the NSO marriage cert and CEMAR cert from me... I do have my original marriage certificates with me

how did you get through the CFO phase? What kind of marriage cert did you show them?

[SennaBrigante 92]

They asked for the CENOMAR and mine actually still said that I'm single. I just showed them my marriage cert and they were cool with it.

I just brought the same docs with me to CFO. I was super nervous but I explained that I was planning on reporting it when I got back to the US and the counselor just reminded me to do it ASAP. Still got my sticker and certificate so it all worked out.

Good luck!

[curiousgeorgina 52]

They asked for the CENOMAR and mine actually still said that I'm single. I just showed them my marriage cert and they were cool with it.

I just brought the same docs with me to CFO. I was super nervous but I explained that I was planning on reporting it when I got back to the US and the counselor just reminded me to do it ASAP. Still got my sticker and certificate so it all worked out.

Good luck!

thank you for sharing your experience You're very lucky, I called CFO a few months ago and I got I believe the head of whoever answered my email and said I need the ROM or else it's not complete.. you got lucky. I will still try my luck though!

I'll keep your experiences in mind, maybe your luck might rub off on me a little.

thank you!

[teddy k 35]

Hi, when my wife had her interview back in feb usem they sent her the same letter too plus asking for the tax documents too, when she got up to the filipino window they ask for everything that was listed on the letter but you never know you might get lucky and they don't ask but bring your receipts for all of the NSO documents yoyr waiting for might help

Hi, when my wife had her interview back in feb usem they sent her the same letter too plus asking for the tax documents too, when she got up to the filipino window they ask for everything that was listed on the letter but you never know you might get lucky and they don't ask but bring your receipts for all of the NSO documents yoyr waiting for might help

[curiousgeorgina 52]

UPDATE:

They didn't mind me not having an nso marriage certificate or even my cenomar was still single.. They accepted what I have...

Just got interviewed a few hours ago, I asked the consul if I was approved, he said everything seems in order and the last window will say if I need to give something, went to the last window and he said to just go give my address 2go.. I am approved I believe? How long til status changes? Just checked it still says ready like before.

[thespoons 33]

UPDATE:

They didn't mind me not having an nso marriage certificate or even my cenomar was still single.. They accepted what I have...

Just got interviewed a few hours ago, I asked the consul if I was approved, he said everything seems in order and the last window will say if I need to give something, went to the last window and he said to just go give my address 2go.. I am approved I believe? How long til status changes? Just checked it still says ready like before.

congrats!!! give it a few days. its better to check it at least once a day to see the progress. I did not check mine for a couple of days and was just shocked it got issued 3 days after the interview, so i don't know how long i was in AP at all. and once it changes to "issued" it will still take around 3 days for 2go to deliver your passport congrats again! cheers!

[Greenbaum 12,258]

UPDATE:

They didn't mind me not having an nso marriage certificate or even my cenomar was still single.. They accepted what I have...

Just got interviewed a few hours ago, I asked the consul if I was approved, he said everything seems in order and the last window will say if I need to give something, went to the last window and he said to just go give my address 2go.. I am approved I believe? How long til status changes? Just checked it still says ready like before.

Congrats.

[curiousgeorgina 52]

congrats!!! give it a few days. its better to check it at least once a day to see the progress. I did not check mine for a couple of days and was just shocked it got issued 3 days after the interview, so i don't know how long i was in AP at all. and once it changes to "issued" it will still take around 3 days for 2go to deliver your passport congrats again! cheers!

Ok, thank you just excited to see a status change

Congrats.

Thank you sir, you and sir Hank have been very helpful and I appreciate all the replies and posts you've made, it truly made my interview less nerve wracking! Ty so much again Sir Greenbaum