Fiancee is 20, no mother,no father,no siblings

[anthill 5]

Hi Everyone,

My fiancee is 20 and has no family. Her mother died when she was one month old and she has never met her father. She has no brothers or sisters. She doesn't have a guardian. She does have an aunt who doesn't care about her and an uncle who she sometimes sees but rarely. According to what I read on the US Embassy/Manila website anyone who is 20 or under needs either a parent or guardian to attend the interview with her. She does have an older cousin who she is close with. If this older cousin came with her to the interview would this be acceptable? Any insight or advise would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi Everyone,

My fiancee is 20 and has no family. Her mother died when she was one month old and she has never met her father. She has no brothers or sisters. She doesn't have a guardian. She does have an aunt who doesn't care about her and an uncle who she sometimes sees but rarely. According to what I read on the US Embassy/Manila website anyone who is 20 or under needs either a parent or guardian to attend the interview with her. She does have an older cousin who she is close with. If this older cousin came with her to the interview would this be acceptable? Any insight or advise would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

I can't say I have ever read or heard of this restriction... Do you have a link?

[Markieboy 104]

Hi Everyone,

My fiancee is 20 and has no family. Her mother died when she was one month old and she has never met her father. She has no brothers or sisters. She doesn't have a guardian. She does have an aunt who doesn't care about her and an uncle who she sometimes sees but rarely. According to what I read on the US Embassy/Manila website anyone who is 20 or under needs either a parent or guardian to attend the interview with her. She does have an older cousin who she is close with. If this older cousin came with her to the interview would this be acceptable? Any insight or advise would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Wow, this is a good question, actually.

I would imagine it is acceptable to bring the older cousin...IF s/he has legal custody of your fiancee. Otherwise, I doubt it would help her case. Does she have her mother's death certificate? Were her parents married when she (your fiancee) was born? I would think presenting these documents would help establish that your fiancee is legally emancipated.

Out of curiosity, who was her last guardian?

[anthill 5]

She has no clue if her mother and father were married. She didn't even know her real name or her actual age until I told her that she needed to get her birth certificate for the interview. Her Grandfather raised her but he is old and could not attend the interview. She doesn't have a real home. She has cousins who she stays with. She will stay with one cousin for awhile and then stay with another cousin for awhile. She (Mary Grace) doesn't have a "guardian". She's a tough little kid who has managed to stay alive with the help of her cousins. I'm really worried about this situation.

[ryna 132]

I can't say I have ever read or heard of this restriction... Do you have a link?

I believe that's a Philippines restriction on its citizens, correct?

Anyhow, how close to 21 is she? Have you started the process?

Can she get herself declared "independent" (or the Philippine equivalent) before then?

[anthill 5]

All I know is what it says regarding the interview requirements for someone 20 or younger, She will be 21 in Oct but she has until Aug 20 to get her visa. I haven't made her appointment with the US embassy yet because she still in the process of getting her passport which considering her present situation is difficult enough because of her past. Its a bizarre set of circumstances she is facing. You can't make this stuff up...

[ryna 132]

All I know is what it says regarding the interview requirements for someone 20 or younger, She will be 21 in Oct but she has until Aug 20 to get her visa. I haven't made her appointment with the US embassy yet because she still in the process of getting her passport which considering her present situation is difficult enough because of her past. Its a bizarre set of circumstances she is facing. You can't make this stuff up...

Yeah, I now see you're already at NVC... I was thinking along the stall the interview lines too, but not enough time...

[anthill 5]

I guess all I can do at this point is to call the embassy and see what they say...

[tonylovesam 8]

She has no clue if her mother and father were married. She didn't even know her real name or her actual age until I told her that she needed to get her birth certificate for the interview. Her Grandfather raised her but he is old and could not attend the interview. She doesn't have a real home. She has cousins who she stays with. She will stay with one cousin for awhile and then stay with another cousin for awhile. She (Mary Grace) doesn't have a "guardian". She's a tough little kid who has managed to stay alive with the help of her cousins. I'm really worried about this situation.

Well, the NSO people require the person to fill-up a form that asks for the person's biographical information(complete name, DOB, place of birth, father's name, mother's name, etc...) to release the person's birth certificate. That means, before she got her birth certificate, she already know her real name. If her grandfather raised her, that grandfather is considered a "guardian" already. You may want to try to get something like a consent from her grandfather.. But anyway, the best thing you can do for now like you said is to call US embassy Manila for further clarifications on your concerns. God bless you and your fiancee' with your visa journey. Tc.

[baby44 0]

You said that her grandfather raised her, then maybe he can write a letter attached to the death certificate of her mother. That letter of consent issued by her grandpa must be notarized so it will public documents.

[Casprd 167]

I guess all I can do at this point is to call the embassy and see what they say...

I don't see anything on the Manilla website about an age limit of 20. I know in many cases there are guidelines about who can attend the interview. i.e. in Guangzhou, minors up to a certain age can be accompanied and below a certain age must be accompanied by an adult. Is there a link from the consulate website where you saw this restriction? Call or email the consulate to verify this.

[fazmo 24]

Is it possible that you misunderstood the post on the website? Usually, embassy websites say that no person other than applicant/petitioner may attend the interview except when the applicant is (based on local laws) a minor in which case the parent/guardian *may* accompany the child. I do not think US embassy would reject someone 20 years old to attend the interview unless he/she is with parent/guardian. But I could be wrong and would like to see the link.

[Tim/Mav 305]

I guess all I can do at this point is to call the embassy and see what they say...

Your Own is advice is the best advice on this one. Go straight to the horses mouth on this one. AND HOPE THEY GIVE YOU THE BEST ACCURATE INFO.

011-63(2) 301-2000 Not sure if the # is Correct. (I called before and got through)

[Tim/Mav 305]

I don't see anything on the Manilla website about an age limit of 20. I know in many cases there are guidelines about who can attend the interview. i.e. in Guangzhou, minors up to a certain age can be accompanied and below a certain age must be accompanied by an adult. Is there a link from the consulate website where you saw this restriction? Call or email the consulate to verify this.

I maybe wrong but I think Parental Admmission is required for under 22 years old of age for Marridge. Which don't apply since the beneficiary has none. Its Confusing but an Issue.

[Ravens 8]

Just curious. You stated she was trying to get a passport.

How can you be in NVC stage and go through without her having a passport?

A copy of a passport needs to be turned in and I am sure it was needed to be turned in as well with your I-129