SantFeliuGuixols

Hello everybody. I have been reading the forum for a while. I need specific information regarding DS230 packages sent as a Spaniard Beneficiary. I read all the general requirements but found out that a Civil Status Document "certificado de fe de vida y estado" appears as a required document after the list of country reciprocity for Spain.

I need to know if this is a document required from all spanish beneficiaries or just a document that is included when the marriage took place in Spain. We got married in the US a few months ago and, as of yet, I haven't inscribed our marriage in the civil register. To obtain this Fe de Vida y Estado certificate, according to the ministry hotline in Spain I would have to go through a process that could take months to first apply for an appointment and then register my marriage. This would delay my case indefenetely and I would not only be separated from my wife even longer, but also possibly lose a scholarship and school admission I have been working towards for the past two years.

I am in desperate need to find somebody from Spain that can tell me what exactly they included in the DS230 package to make sure I don't screw up and delay this even more.

The document I am talking about isn't listed in the main list of documents that must be presented

The thing is that I am very meticulous and wanting to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding the Police Certificate requirements I decided to click on the reciprocity by country link.

Under the list that link leads to is were this surprise was waiting for me on the state.gov website:

Civil Status Certificates

Available only to persons who are registered in a census (empadronamiento)." Certificado de Fe de Vida y Estado" is requested from the Registro Civil of the applicant's domicile.

At first I thought this was the simple "certificado de empadronamiento" issued at your local district. Now it seems it's not.

I also assume that if this was so important they would have pointed it out earlier in the instructions and not hide it behind a link originally related to Police Certificate issuance depending on country.

So far my package, which is ready to be sent except for that curse of a document includes:

• Bar coded cover letter

• Two passport photographs of beneficiary (NVC Case Number, beneficiary’s full name and date of birth are written on back of both)

• DS-230 Part I completed and signed by beneficiary

• DS-230 Part II completed by beneficiary – unsigned per instructions

• Copy of biographic data page(s) of beneficiary’s passport

• Literal birth certificate “certificado de nacimiento” of beneficiary (with enclosed photocopy)

• Original american marriage certificate (with enclosed photocopy)

• Original police certificate “certificado de antecedentes penales” of beneficiary (with enclosed photocopy)

Thanks you all kindly for your help in advance!

It's for persons who are not married, your marriage certificate is enough and the only document required by NVC to testify married status:

"El certificado de fe de vida y estado es el documento que acredita que una persona está viva, así como su estado civil...estado de soltero, viudo o divorciado. (notice "casado" does not appear as an option).

Para probar el vínculo matrimonial será suficiente el certificado de matrimonio por lo que no se expedirá la "Fe de casado"."

Source:

http://www.mjusticia.gob.es/cs/Satellite/es/1200666550200/Tramite_C/1214483961534/Detalle.html#quien

with regards to registering our marriage in spain. we got married one year ago, and currently in the process of brining my husband to the us. we never registered our marriage in spain...is this a problem? the civil documents are required by the nvc so i'm not sure how he can get a copy of his civil documents that still say he's single, or if he can change that to being married with our marriage certificate and my not being there...any help would be wonderful. thank you!

I'm sorry I think I misinterpreted your post. If you have the marriage certificate already, then that's all the NVC needs. However, if you want to be more prepared, it wouldn't hurt for him to register his marriage in Spain just in case this comes up in the interview (I doubt it). The empadronamiento does require proof of your marriage if he wants to obtain the certificate de fe y estado. However, NVC doesn't require this document.

I'm gonna post here since Spain's presence is almost non-existent, and I'm googled out and tired. So if anyone has any idea, please let me know...

with regards to registering our marriage in spain. we got married one year ago, and currently in the process of brining my husband to the us. we never registered our marriage in spain...is this a problem? the civil documents are required by the nvc so i'm not sure how he can get a copy of his civil documents that still say he's single, or if he can change that to being married with our marriage certificate and my not being there...any help would be wonderful. thank you!

I cannot find this information ANYWHERE, :unsure: :help: :help: :help:

And I quote...

"Civil Status Certificates

Available only to persons who are registered in a census (empadronamiento)." Certificado de Fe de Vida y Estado" is requested from the Registro Civil of the applicant's domicile."

Lizka,

Where and how did you get married?. If you performed your civil marriage in Spain, this had to be done in the Registro Civil, and as part of the process they register your marriage there the same day.

You mention you have a marriage certificate, where was this issued?

If you provide this information, I might be able to help you more.

If he has to be registered in the census in order to obtain his Certificado de Fe de Vida y Estado, he can register in the empadronamiento of his locality the same day, and ask for the certificate. However, NVC requires Marriage Certificate. I doubt they will accept the Certificado de Fe de Vida y Estado, as this does not conform the required document. I suggest he goes personally to the Registro Civil and ask what they need to register your marriage, so that they may issue the corresponding Marriage Certificate.

First off, do you know HOW the lawyer sent the packages (overnight, express, regular, etc)? Most members here send their packages overnight or express so NVC gets it either the next day, or within a day or two. Perhaps your lawyer got the cheapest shipping ever where it takes like a week or so. Cause then it MIGHT be possible that they haven't gotten to your packages yet. But if the lawyer sent it by overnight/express, then, yes, it should have gotten to an officer by now (unless they've slowed on this as well) as it's been taking a week or two.

I'll inquire about this. The truth is that I don't know. She told me she mailed with priority mail, but it could have used the cheapest shipping available through this.

I would grill your lawyer. Ask for a receipt from DHL/UPS/USPS (whomever she mailed the packages through) showing you she sent a package on so-and-so date. You can try calling the mailing company up and asking if they can verify somehow (not sure if this is possible without a tracking number). Otherwise, you can try asking a supervisor about this; they might be able to find out. If they can't find it, then it might be possible your lawyer really hasn't mailed them out yet. I've seen this happen in a few cases where the lawyer would lie and say they mailed the packages out when they really didn't.

I'll go ahead and ask for the receipt.

Thank you Saylin for all the helpful tips. I'll explore and apply these options as I see how the process evolves.

Dump her. What kind of lawyer sends original documents as important as marriage certificates and police records without a secured tracking system???

That's exactly what I thought, it's common sense. But as they say, it seems that with some people common sense is the least common of the senses.

You may try to speak to a supervisor at the NVC but I'm really not sure if they can check that your packages were received. As you already know, the system won't show them until the review has started, so they would have to make a special research for you. If I were you, I would try, if only for peace of mind.

Yes, I think I'll keep calling about the packages until the end of this week. Then, I'll ask to speak to a supervisor and inquire about the possibility of searching for the package, even if that means waiting for them to do it after the "official 20 days" waiting period.

Thank you for your advice Laure.

Ask your lawyer if he did include the bar-coded coversheet on top of the package.

If he really sent them on March 5th, you should know by now. They should be in review or already accepted, since it's been 2 weeks. Grill your lawyer.

Hi Laure,

Yes, she included the bar-coded coversheets.

I sent her several emails inquiring about the package and the waiting period, and she keeps telling me the same answer as the operators: "you have to wait up to 20 days for processing to begin." I also told her that I was very surprised she had not sent the package with a tracking number, to which she responded that this would have cost me an additional fee. I could give a rat's *** about the fee, I just can't believe she didn't give me the option of deciding, since I would have obviously preferred to track the documents.

This is quite frustrating, since right now I can't guarantee that the package has arrived at all, and I keep getting the same lovely answer by all the operators at NVC.

Dear Saylin:

I apologize for being persistent on this topic, and I really do appreciate all the feedback and helpful hints you've been giving us on these threads.

My case is the following:

My lawyer sent the AOS and IV packages to NVC on March 5th. As of yesterday, the packages are not in the system yet, so the review has not been initiated. The operators tell me that I have to wait 20 days after the packages have been sent. By other peoples' timelines, I'm observing that AOS and IV packages sent and delivered after us have started to be reviewed. I am aware that this is not an exact science and processing times do vary according to each case and different circumstances.

Unfortunataley, the problem is that my lawyer sent the package with priority mail but no tracking number. So I have no way of knowing if and when the packages were delivered. My question is whether once the 20 days waiting period has passed, if NVC can somehow confirm to us if the package is in the builing or not. Should I speak to a supervisor passed this waiting period if they keep telling us that it's not in the system?

I thank you in advance for any guidance you may offer me.

there is an update with my wife pregnancy, she gonna change the doctor and get another one.

I'm glad to hear this, I think it was a wise decision. From what you explained, I really doubt about the previous doctor's ethical standards. Hopefully, the new doctor will result more helpful for you and will provide you with the necessary letter.

Good luck.

Keep in mind, an operator won't know your packages are in the building until they're being reviewed. It'll probably be reviewed this week if they were sent March 5th. Do you know when they arrived from your postal carrier's delivery confirmation?

Just keep calling once a day. That's sufficient.

Thank you Saylin for the answer. I'm attempting to acquire the tracking number from my lawyer, since she's the one who sent the documents. As soon as I get this information, I'll have a better estimate of when the review should begin.

I'll keep calling once or twice every day anyhow.

:dance: CASE COMPLETED!!! :dance:

The operator confirmed what I heard previously from a CO here. Asuncion assigns their own interviews and then contacts the beneficiary. Hopefully we'll find out something soon!

That's great!!!! Congratulations

Hello!

Our AOS and IV packages were sent to NVC on March 5th (from within US), I called today to check if they had been received/reviewed, and the operator told me nothing is showing up on the computer indicating that the packages were received (then the "allow 20 business days for mail to arrive" answer, as if mail was being sent on horse).

Seeing the speedy arrival of the packages to NVC by postal mail, question is, should I be calling more or is this normal??? I'm starting to get to the point where I find it difficult to discern between "hysterical with a reason" or "unnecessary hysterism" on my part). Ufffff....

Thank you as always for your help and advice!!!

:-)

This depends on each country, some embassies allow the petitioner to be present and others don't. Check the country's portal and interview reviews for more information regarding this. Other members interviewed at Montreal might be able to give you a more educated answer.

You can also call the embassy directly and inquire.

Good luck.

SanFeliuGuixols,

Thanks for your response. I couldn't help but notice that you're immigrating from Spain too (my husband is from Pamplona). You also sent your I-130 in 2 weeks after I did and already have been approved. So lucky - I'm still waiting on the NOA2 (two months and counting). How did you manage to get it approved so fast?

Thanks!

I inquired about the possible motives of the speedy approval and was told by other VJ members that some motives could be: 1) Beneficiary is from a low-risk country, 2) I'm residing in the same country as the beneficiary, 3) Just pure luck, 4) Unknown reasons

As much as I'd wish there was a direct answer, I'm sorry I'm not able give you any further information.

My husband is from Barcelona

I don't know if you're already aware of it: with some airlines you can travel with your animal in the cabin with you. Actually if you have 3, it might not be possible.

We're planning on doing that. Kitty has his microchip, all his shots, and his European Passport. All he needs now is a visit to the vet within 5 days before flying. The fact he was born in Turkey made things a little more complicated!

Yes, but it's usually limited to less than three cats if you travel on cabin

They're going to be travelling in baggage. I'm not thrilled about this, but as we want the trip to be as less stressful as possible for them, we'll be traveling with Air France which is one of the top pet-friendly airlines. They'll be travelling in baggage but it's climate controlled and pressurized, they also check up on them regularly. Throughout the past years, I heard some very positive experiences from other people who've travelled with their pets in this airline.

Nevertheless, regardless of the airline, I really won't be 100% relaxed until I arrive at the POE and have them with us again.

I'm glad to see that your cat is ready to travel! If he was born in Turkey, why was it more complicated? Because of vaccine requirements?

Thanks everyone for the congrats!

TimmyH, a 14-hour flight, no freaking way! They do expect you to be in a state of emotional distress at POE, don't they? Cause after over 10 hours in a plane, they'd better not mess up with me!

By the way, before the 11 hour flight, I have a 3 hour one from home to London first, plus layover of course...

Thinking that on POE day, I'll have our cat with me gives me a big headache!!Rujby we're waiting for you here! C'mon CSC!

hehehe same here!! We'll be travelling with three cats , so you can imagine how "serene" I'm going to be at the POE (not to mention the whole preparation animal travel requires) Fortunately, my husband is more calm about everything, and he's the beneficiary!

Congratulations on your case being complete, that's a big relief, best of luck on the upcoming step!!

thanks for the response, seems we're both in a bit of an undefined area. as i don't have a lawyer helping me, i have no one to ask for this advice. i was thinking about getting the co-sponser just in case, as this process is long enough without even without receiving any RFE's. i would hate to make it longer than it already is.

Felanai,

From the information that I've received, the embassy in Madrid looks at current salary, however, if you wish to get a joint sponsor just in case, it won't hurt your case, on the contrary.

Good luck!!

I was searching for the e-mail address to contact NVC and I found one in a post from 2006. Just want to make sure, if this NVCINQUIRY@state.gov is the right e-mail address!?

I already know, that NVC got my case. Now, I would like to find out, if they already sent it to the embassy. If I write them an e-mail, I put in: petitioner name and DOB, beneficiary name and DOB, case number from NOA1....that's it!??

How long will it usually take for them to respond to an e-mail??

Thanks for your answers

The email address you provided is correct.

Write the USCIS number in the subject line (if you don't have an NVC case number)

Provide the petitoner and beneficiary information you mentioned.

I can't tell you how long they will respond to your e-mail as I have received responses the next day and others after two days. A more experienced VJ member may be able to help you with this.

You might get a quicker response calling NVC at 603-334-0700 and speaking directly to an operator (Mon-Friday)

Good luck.

OMG, just called the NVC and our case is CLOSED WOOOOOHOOOO

I have faith in God that everything will be just fine....

That's great!!

Good luck on the rest of your journey!!

We received the IV and AOS fee bills combined.

From what I understand, the Immigrant Visa Processing Fee is the amount which used to be paid directly at the consular interview for DCF (visa issuance fee)? Is this one of the modifications that have been implemented since the DCF change as of August 15th? I just want to anticipate or rule out any additional fees the day of the interview.

Thank you Laure&Colin and Saylin for your fast replies!!

Yes I gave them both our emails. I'll go ahead and ask the operator, just as you mentioned.

Hey!

I posted this on another thread but since this is the NVC Filers for January, I would appreciate your advice.

We received our case number yesterday (yeyyyyy!!!!), I found out when I called today. I called the operator at NVC to give them our emails, however, I didn't receive an IIN, should I specifically ask for it or will they send it to our emails along with the AOS Fee (not receiving DS2030 b/c we're doing it with a lawyer).

Lawyer is away until Feb. 1 so I was wandering if I could get the IIN number in advance by myself just as everyone else. (Besides, we've done most of the process by ourselves anyways).

Thank you!!! :-)

The attorney will likely be primary to get everything, keep on the firm for your updates. Also emails don't come some times, my TXT did.

My attorney is away until Feb. 1, I was wandering if I could go ahead and get the IIN anyways by calling NVC since everyone else seems to be doing it.

Thanks.

Hi!!

We received our case number yesterday (yeyyyyy!!!!), I found out when I called today. I called the operator at NVC to give them our emails, however, I didn't receive an IIN, should I specifically ask for it or will they send it to our emails along with the AOS Fee (not receiving DS2030 b/c we're doing it with a lawyer).

I appreciate your input!!

will they give us the originals we have to send the nvc back when their done???

I inquired about this a while back and was informed by NVC that originals were returned at the time of interview.

Hey Sant, quick question if you don't mind. I see your I-130 was approved after 7 days and you went through CSC, did you request an expedite? I'm always curious when peoples I-130's are approved so fast.

Matt

No, I did not request an expedite. I really have no idea what caused the speedy approval. I followed the same procedures as everyone else, documents and all.

I'll paste here the same answer I told another member:

I inquired about the possible motives and was told by other VJ members that some reasons could be: 1) Beneficiary is from a low-risk country, 2) I'm residing in the same country as the beneficiary, 3) Just pure luck, 4) Unknown reasons

Sorry I can't be of further help on this matter

Congratulations!!

I look forward to being where you are right now!!