Matt & Dhaz

Awww that's a very beautiful love story! Thank you for sharing and Congratulations!!

May the Lord bless your marriage with happiness and much love

THANK YOU MUCH

Just getting the package all together felt like a pain, but you know what it was so worth it when I finally sent out the I-130 the other day. Felt like any day now we will be together!

Yay! expect the notice of acceptance (noa1) after a few days now Sometimes, it a long process and need a long patience so be ready. Just think that its just "one day closer" to approval. God bless in your visa process journey. It will worth it all at the end ^__^

Very touching , good luck and god bless

Thank you. God bless you too!

My name is Dhazzel from Philippines, and my husband is Matthew from Ohio, USA. Matt & I met on Christian Dating Site. I joined the site to meet new friends and also I am hoping that through that site I'll find the right one for me. As being a member, many sent winks, messages, and showing interests but only one person got my attention. That "Matt" guy who has a funny profile pic. On that picture, he has a face that half shaved. That made me laugh and smile. I sent him message saying that I liked his profile and also shared some inspiring messages. He answered back quickly then I asked for his Facebook account and added him, he accepted it.

We exchanged messages on Facebook for the next few days and all of sudden he “un-friended” me. I was so clueless and wondering what happened to him so I sent him a message on the dating site and asked him why he deleted me on his friends list and what exactly happened. He told me that he was already engaged and want to be loyal and to focus on the girl. I just only said “OH! That’s okay, No problem at all. I wished them good-luck. But deep inside I was disappointed.

Well, life goes on! I continued praying to God to give me a God-fearing man that will love me as I am. ( Actually I've been praying that same prayers for about 2 years) It was during November 2011, I was a bit upset that I will be a member of SMP again which “Samahang Malalamig ang Pasko” (A group of single people that has Cold Christmas)I don't want to spend another lonely Christmas so I prayed this prayer to God:

"Please Lord give me a favor; don’t let me join SMP again. You still have 5 weeks Lord before the Christmas. I am so tired of being alone."

I was so desperate. On my surprised a week later after I said those prayers, Matt added me again on Facebook. He said he was sorry. He confessed to me that his fiance was not true to him. I was so happy that I don't cared much if I was just a second choice for him. And we started talking almost every day until I found myself falling in love with him. After just a few days of being in a relationship, he proposed to me online, I said yes right away! We started planning on our first meeting and our wedding. My mother was in doubts because we never meet in person, yet we are getting married. But, I assured her that our love was true and nothing to worry about. You’ll guess what’s next??? We got married last March 16, 2013 and we're happily married now.

But, our journey wasn't over yet. After the wedding, my husband need to go back in his country. It was the most difficult and painful part of our lives as being husband and wife. The first few weeks of being away from each other was like as hell. Dealing with the loneliness and sadness wasn't that easy. Waiting was so really hard. But things got better when we received our petition's expedite approval. We'd see a light through the tunnels.

Like a fairy tales , there's a twist for every story. Everything was going smooth in our visa process and I was hoping to be with my husband very soon until I heard the very bad news from ST.LUKES about my medical. I need to cancel my interview date and need to undergo tests. (That means a delay for my visa, 2 months or 6 months delay if I turned out positive) I was feeling down! My hope was gone and felt like giving up. But, my husband was always there for me, comfort me, encourages me and help me forget the distance.

The love story has always happy ending. My culture test was negative and I passed my medical. It was the great love that we had for each other that keep us going and made us stronger each day. Distance is only temporary. Miles are just numbers. We will be together forever in God's perfect time. The Long Distance Relationships is still going on but coming to a close soon, my visa is almost approved!"

i like that the God shunted the other woman away from Matt...

Thanks

Virgogirl and I share the same lawyer. Sorry to hear about your lawyer, I'm so glad you guys fired him though.

It sounds like RV is working out for you guys God bless!

Yes Eunice were working out now for the papers to be send to USCIS for initial filing..RV was so accommodating and very attentive to our needs. Thanks!

thanks for sharing

WELCOME To God be the glory

I don't understand either why people hire lawyers for CR-1 visas, if everything is leggit. File your own papers that is the only thing they are doing. They can't speed up your process cause every petition goes through the same process. Read my review. We went through hell and still did not use a lawyer.

For one reason, because the process is so stressful for us. We need someone to guide us for this whole thing, were not doing it to speed up the process but to make sure that were doing the right thing...

I am glad it wasn't him. He does nothing but steal.

Oh i heard from my husband, it wasn't him. Then the lawyer said he understand us. He's giving back our documents and just few $. that's good then. better than nothing

Indeed, we have an awesome God.....nice sharing...congratulations

Oh so true! Thank you sis... Hugs! God bless.

Nice and inspiring love story. Congratulations.

Hello, thanks for your time reading this short love story . God bless you.

Hey Dhaz,

No problem. You will need to apply for a renewal at DFA. Here's some information from the DFA website:

For spouse of foreign national who would like to use their married surname:

• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of MC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by NSO. Transcribed Marriage Contract from the LCR is required when entries in NSO Marriage Contract are blurred or unreadable.
• Report of Marriage duly authenticated by NSO if married abroad
• Original and photocopy of Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance (required for first time applicants or renewal of passport to be used for the first time the surname of the husband)

So yes, you need to attend the CFO Seminar in order to use Matt's last name. I hope this helps!

Justin

WOW! Thank you Justin that will help a lot.

Matt & I met on Christian Dating Site. I joined the site to meet new friends... and to encourage others. Also I am hoping that through that site I'll meet the right one for me. As a member, many sent winks, messages, and showing interests but only one person got my attention. That "Matt" guy who has a funny profile pic... I sent him messages that I like his profile and shared some inspiring quotes. He answered back... then I ask for his FB, and he added me. We just talked only few times and suddenly he “un-friended” me on FB. And I wondered why so I sent him messages in the dating site and ask him what happened. He told me he already engaged and want to be loyal and focus on the girl. I just said “That’s okay. No problem. But deep inside I am disappointed. Well life goes on. (I haven’t mentioned that I've been praying for 2 years to meet a God-fearing man and same with my beliefs.)

It’s during November, and I am a bit afraid that I will be a member of SMP again which “Samahang Malalamig ang Pasko”. I prayed Lord please give me a favor; don’t let me join SMP again. You still have 5 weeks Lord before the Christmas Celeb. I am so tired of being alone. Then in my surprised a week later Matt added me again on FB and sent me messages saying he was sorry and the girl or his fiance is not true to him. And we started talking almost every day and you’ll guess what’s next. (We're happily married)

And what’s so amazing was he’s also praying for the right girl. We were also has almost same past relationship experiences and that helps us to be more connected to each other.

Just want you to know GOD CARES and HE CARES ABOUT EVERY DETAIL OF OUR LIVES. Thanks for your time spent reading. God loves you. God bless!

Hey Dhaz!

When Eunice and I got married this past March 24, 2013, her status automatically changed to married. In the Philippines, it is automatic and there is no additional paperwork given that your Pastor/Priest/Other Officiant reported the marriage to the Local Registrar and the National Statistics Office.

I hope this helps!

Justin

Hello Justin, thanks Oh i figured out that my question is wrong... lol What I want to know how will I change my status in my passport? I had my passport last year but my status there was single and my last name was my old name. Someone said to me that I need to attend seminar to get CFO certificate and sticker before they'll issue my new passport. That confuses me. lol

I used Rapid Visa for the K-1 Visa and the AOS. I do not think that you will be disappointed with their service. They also have an office across the street from the embassy which will be very usefull to you when it comes time for your interview as you can go there to have them check your paperwork before your interview. Good luck in your journey.

That's what i am waiting for -your response Hehe... Hopefully. Thank you! God bless too.

We hired a lawyer and paid $2000. She was awesome! She kept an eye on everything, when we got stuck at csc she was in touch with our congressman. Once we got to Nvc she was on it like a hawk and we just flew right through there. She always had time to answer all my nervous questions and I felt like she cared.

The reason to why we hired a lawyer was that my husband was on the road working during this process. I didn't want to sit in Sweden wondering if we got anything in the mail without any way of finding out until my hubby came home again. It felt good having someone else taking care of it all.

Oh your lawyer is a woman, maybe that makes the difference! Women are more caring than men. I am happy for you. God bless!

I Hope it wasn't L TODD Schlosser I was ripped off by him and so were many others. He is out of Chicago he's a con man. He will take your money and do nothing. YOU DON'T NEED A LAWYER unless this is your 3rd filing.

This from another visa journey member! I hired L. Tod Schlosser, to help with out K-1 process in May 2011, however he has really done nothing and takes forever to answer me back, I recently found out that he was disbarred in Aug 2011, and he was suppose to inform all of his clients in writing of this fact. He never informed of this. And he only ever answer a few of our questions, I have done all the work in filling out all the forms and spending countless hour scouring the web for any and all information. What tipped me off that something was not right was the other day i emailed Tod and told him that we still had not received packet 4 even though my Fiance has his interview on April 19th 2012, What Tod told me was "Well you don't really need the interview letter as it's only purpose is to let the security guards at the Embassy know that you have business at the Embassy on that date and to let him in the Embassy". Ummmm are you serious?? I told him that is not true as my fiance was told that he could not get his PPC or set up an appointment for his medical exam unless he had a copy of the interview letter. So my suspicion were aroused. I went online ans started searching Tod's name and found all kinds of complaints and I found out he was disbarred by the EOIR and DHS.When I confronted him he said he did nothing wrong and he doesn't need the permission of Illinois to do what he does as he is completely qualified to do this. I asked for a refund as he has done no work and he never gets back to me, he refused saying without him we would not have an interview date.

So my questions is has anyone else had any problems with L. Tod Schlosser? And does anyone have any advise as to what I can do to get my $2500.00 back

Is this the same guy I would really like to know? Sounds exactly like the same guy.

Oh I have no idea if our lawyer and that guy are the same. I had never been ask my husband about the whereabouts of our lawyer, even his name. I'll ask my husband about it and hopefully they're not the same. Usually lawyers does not refunds... oh they're good at it, they're lawyers anyway! Sad you paid him the full amount. Praying for you that you'll get a way to get back the money. If not, well I'll pray that God will provide for your needs. God bless.

We only hired a lawyer to review our documents. So far he has been great, when we have needed to ask questions he is always there and at no charge. I am not sure if I can post his info here but if you send me a message I can give you his details. Good luck with your case and try not to spend any more money on shady lawyers.

WOW! no added charge, that amazes me! well, we decided not to get another lawyer... thank you for being nice... God bless!

Well, it's too late to get that money back, so why worry over it. You fired the lawyer... that's good. Don't make another mistake by hiring (paying) anybody else to do the work for you. This process isn't so complicated. The guides here are easy to follow and the people are extremely helpful. We recently started the i-130 process to bring my step kids here. I didn't know ####### about the process, but I read the guide and some threads and we filed the forms this week. Don't worry too much and just invest some time on this forum and you'll be good to go.

Good luck.

Yeah but were thankful to get to know this site. I'll remember that! Thank you for the encouragement. We will start to file 1-130 as soon as my husband receives the copy of our MC. God bless!

We hired a lawyer for $1500 because we were intimidated and stressed by the paperwork and process and we didn't know anything about VJ.

How did it go with that lawyer you hired?

We hired a lawyer during the k-1 visa process and paid 2000 but she was never there to give answers till i found VJ on google then i was the one giving this lawyer information so after the k-1 visa was approved and i got married we did not higher a lawyer we did it ourselve and i got my green card, so what am saying is if you dont have red flag on your case i think you will be fine doing this alone lawyers dont gurrantee you approval

Oh you are right there... I kept telling my husband that we don't need the lawyer but he insisted... and later on he found out that lawyer doesn't helpful at all so before he'll going paid in full that lawyer, he fired. I am confident that we can do it ourselves but I am just giving my husband a benefit of a doubt so whatever he'll decide i support him all the way. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Where were you married? You are saying before filing so I can guess you were married in the Phils and that you are looking to file for the IR/CR-1 visa.

Oh we're married in the Philippines. yes.

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Philippines regional forum; topic is country specific.

Thanks for your response

Guys, I don't know why you hire lawyers for the CR-1. If your marriage and documents are legit, you have no felony; then file the CR-1 yourself and be patient. No lawyer can do sh*t. Lawyers are out there to rip innocent people. Dhazzel, if I were you I will fire even the RapidVisa consultant and do this myself.

Come to visa journey and ask for advise. You will certainly get the answers you need here and the procedures on getting a CR-1. Quit wasting you money on crooks out there.

We hired lawyer for one reason, we both ignorant in the visa process thing so we really need help. It's too late that we can find the info we need on this site and other groups page... but yeah it's not really too late because we can do it still without that mean lawyer. Our docs are legit, we don't have felony..nor divorce issues... Well, Thank you for your suggestion but just to be safe we need that agent because of the anxiety feeling we had.

Hi Dhazzel Silvaroli, wow thats too much...yes what you heard from someone is true our lawyer charge only $500 to process our papers,...$2500 is more than enough for the whole process from the beginning to the end...I wish I can give you his website so you can contact him but I don't know if the admin allow me? goodluck and may God Bless You.

Yeah, I am shocked too! I actually compared the payment with others and wow I am surprised to learn that it's triple the price... I felt so upset with that... If we can just go back to yesterday... how i wish we can but then we can't change that now... Hopefully with the RapidVisa it will go smoothly... thanks for your response.