ButterBoy

As of today its been 470 days since our NOA2.

Do you have a security clearance? I have seen some other odd posts on here with the US citizen having security clearances and running into some weird things. You might search this site.

Yes above secret and nothing that can be done about it, company policy when marrying a foreigner even after retiring.

To the OP: If you were not ready to wait six months for your approval (which the USCIS states is the normal processing time) then you shouldn't have submitted a petition. There is no "right" to a speedy immigration process. Yes, its not fun waiting, but it is what it is.

Trust me, after you are united with your loved one, the bad feelings will quickly fade. I was stuck at the NVC for 50 days just a few monts ago ... Simply a distant memory now.

Again, you're missing the point. The process CAN be faster, more expeditious, more efficient. It just isn't because USCIS doesn't NEED to make it that way, mostly because most people just DEAL with it. Why would any of you want to discourage someone from trying to make a positive change in this process? It almost seems spiteful to be so discouraging, especially if you've already completed the process.

Man this thread is frustrating to read! I think I'll stop now!

Hey if the op wants to write letters to Tom,####### and Harry, let him. From what I can tell many before me and including me have done so. I don't think anyone is telling him not to, we are just telling him it wont change a thing. I look at all my years in the Middle East working for my employer and in later years at a desk evualating reports and based on my reports, um never mind that, but what do I get? Stuck in a background check because of the time I spent working in the Middle East. What a way to repay a patriot. Write your letters do your complaining have fun.

My god man, you have been waiting for 3 months and your outraged? My wife and I have been waiting since April 2008 for our NOA2. I have wrote letters to both Bush and Obama. I also contacted my old boss Michael Hayden for help. I have called the USCIS so many times I think I own stock in Verizon now. I have contacted my local Congressman on many occasions and all I ever hear is I am stuck in a FBI background check and as soon as I am cleared then we may proceed to the next phase. I guess this is what I get for 30 years of service to the US Goverment. Get a grip.

I must say, you sound pretty "outraged" to me, and deservedly so. Is there a time-limit as to when you can feel this way - a mark in the sand that once you cross, you're no longer walking in sunlight and are now in the dark? If so, please list this in the user guide so the rest of us will know when we've earned the right to be indignant.

I am outraged, this person is 3 months into the visa process and he has the nerve to be outraged? I put 30 years of my life working for the the goverment, retired and want nothing more then to spend the rest of my life with my wife only to get stuck in a FBI background check for 15 months because of my service spent in the Middle East...I am pissed off at the OP. Am I pissed off about the process? Yes I am but as someone who dedicated my life to serving the United States I understand the process has to run it's course.

My god man, you have been waiting for 3 months and your outraged? My wife and I have been waiting since April 2008 for our NOA2. I have wrote letters to both Bush and Obama. I also contacted my old boss Michael Hayden for help. I have called the USCIS so many times I think I own stock in Verizon now. I have contacted my local Congressman on many occasions and all I ever hear is I am stuck in a FBI background check and as soon as I am cleared then we may proceed to the next phase. I guess this is what I get for 30 years of service to the US Goverment. Get a grip.

I am working on this, geeze give a newb a break will yea . I am reading and cross checking....what i posted was what I got from the uscis web site on my first look and will add more as I learn everything.

I am trying to get this information as I am curious just how much I will be costing myself going the K3 route, I imangine many people wonder what the total cost is for each visa. I know the K3 is much faster in the short term...but more expensive in the long term. The CR1 is slower but cheaper....this might matter to some peopole who want their wife/husband here sooner and deal with the added cost at a later date, not everyone is rich.

But thank you for what you had added.

Hi people. Before any one says to look it all up, I have. The search here doesnt turn up the greatest results. I have tried to cross check with the filing fee's at the uscis web site but I cant find some forms and not sure all all the ones needed at certain stages.

First off what is the total cost of a K3, just the forms needed to get her here?

Then after getty my wife here, her change of status, eos and what other else we are going to have to do?

What is the cost of a CR1?

I am just asking for the forms, not cost of travel or stays. Thank you for your time to answer these questions.

I don't know that the anwer is posted somewhere. To answer your question, somebody would have to carefully study the guides to make sure just which forms and fees apply to each visa path and add them up. Why don't you do that? Start with the guides and lay it out for yourself.

I think you'll find the difference through to the green card is a few hundred dollars. Last time I went through the excercise, it seems like it was about $800 more for the K3 path.

Does lost income from waiting to obtain employment count in your scenario?

It's a good question but why do you insist somebody else do the homework for you?

Sorry, I was not asking for someone else to do the figuring, I was just thinking maybe someone else had already done the math is all. I guess I will try to figure it all up the best I can bnot really sure of all filing fees and such. I keep reading about packet 3's packet 4's and paying the bills but dont know the cost of all the se....I will be filing my I-130 at the end of May so I guess I need to start this off....

K3

I-130 $355

I-129f Free?

G-325a Free

I-134 Free

so $355 for the first batch of paper work....I'll try to figure out what other forms are needed somehow...

CR1

I-130 $355

G-325a Free

I-864 Free

Of-169 ????

Of-230 ????

I-134 Free

This is what I can figure out....if someone could post the missing info I imangine other people would find this helpfull.

Thank you

Hi people. Before any one says to look it all up, I have. The search here doesnt turn up the greatest results. I have tried to cross check with the filing fee's at the uscis web site but I cant find some forms and not sure all all the ones needed at certain stages.

First off what is the total cost of a K3, just the forms needed to get her here?

Then, after getting my wife here, her change of status, eos and what other else we are going to have to do?

What is the cost of a CR1?

I am just asking for the forms, not cost of travel or stays. Thank you for your time to answer these questions.

if you want spanish cuisine in quezon city, try alba's they have 2 branches in quezon city--eastwood city in libis and another in tomas morato. they have an all you can eat lunch buffet. last time i checked (this was last month) it was at 500Php/pax. here's the site: http://www.alba.com.ph/home.htm

another option would be kamayan, for crossover all you can eat buffet (filipino, japanese and american cuisine) at about the same price as Alba.

we had our civil wedding performed by my cousin, who's a judge in Makati. it was her gift to us, so we paid nothing. we had our mini reception in Lutong Macao in Jupiter St., spent 15,000 for 30 guests including bottomless drinks. i guess the 3,000 quote is the standard rate--just make sure it includes filing fee with the local civil registrar, so can get your certified copy of your marriage certificate after your boracay trip.

congratulations and best wishes on your forthcoming wedding.

Wow thank you very much! I think we are going to go with Alba....its right on budget, just got to figure out if they have facilities for the wedding packege they offer. Not sure if its included in the price. My babe is going to call them and find out. If not, does anyone know of banquet facilities in Q city? All i can find is hotels and they dont like outside catering and are expensive.

Yes everything is included in the 10,000php....judge and paper work. She is going to give us a discount but I am tellin my woman naa, i will pay the fee's as quoted. I think its only right to spread the wealth....err ok lack of wealth lol. Seriously though 10,000 is a great deal and I want to pay the full price.

Thanks once again to all who have replied

I've been to Harbor View....took my in-laws there when they were first here last 2006. The food served are mostly seafood and it's yummy...ambience is ok..the only thing we noticed was the smell coming from the sea...and you know how polluted Manila Bay is

i really hope the city of Manila will try to clean the Bay...

Well this is my first trip to the phills...i heard how bad Manila Bay is but havnt seen it first hand....

My babe is checking into this place Ilustrado...Its in Manila I guess and we both want something in Quezon City....

Thanks for the reply....

Thanks for all the responses. After she finally talked to her sister (she has been really busy), she said she will handle the judge part and it will only cost us 10,000php and she will give us a discount. The judge she has only wants 3000php. So I guess this is a average price people are paying. That is a complete price so thats good.

We are still trying to find a good place to eat....I found some places on yahoo travel and would like to see if anyone has eaten there and if they are any good and resonably priced...

Top of the Citi in Makiti City

Harbor View in the City of Manila (I like the premis )

Guernica's in Manila

these are my choices so far, I need to talk to my babe about it though. Here is a list for anyone who wants to know restraunts in the manila area.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2767...ubcSG41VsddFWoL

Congrats!!!!! I hope when i sart ours in May it will go smooth and fast like yours.

I just want to add so nobdy get the wrong idea, we did not know when i would be coming till the last minute so plans were not made.

We paid 3T for a pastor in Metro Manila and then included him in the reception. Our wedding was at Max's venue.

Hello, could you give me some information on Max's venue? Thanks Oh and how much is 3T?

Thank you

Reading this thread, I feel so sad being in the legal profession in the Philippines. Now I admire my mother more because she doesn't ask a single cent when she performs civil weddings in her court or outside of it. The judge should not ask money to solemnize a wedding because it is part of her "job" although a certain amount is paid to process the papers.

Anyhow, if you are interested, you can go to my hometown Dipolog and I will guarantee you that you will not pay a single cent for my Mom to officiate your marriage

Goodluck and congratulations!!

Oh my...well if it was closer to Manila I would defently do that but its looks like its some distance away and if i have to pay travel expenses for 20 people...it might be cheaper to pay 20k ph for a judge Surely her sis should have some contacts in the court system that would do it... I leave in 14 days and she still doesnt have all the details worked out yet and I am starting to stress out now....

Thanks for the responses

Thanks again for all the responses. I didn't think a lawyer could marry us, the one put up there said something about being cheaper with her sister being a attny so I was confused, thanks for clearing that up. She is supposed to be finding out today if her sister has a judge that will be any cheaper then 20k...

Hopefully the restraunt she wants to go will be around 20k for the 20 guest...I am cringing at $25us a peice but then again, this is a important day for both of us and I want it to be very special so...its much cheaper then it would be here in the US so i guess i should be ok with it. I went to a wedding in Taiwan a few years back and the reception dinner cost the groom $1500 usd for 50 people, but it was a 5 course dinner with lobster and all the free booze you could drink. Dont think there was one man that was sober there lol.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Wow thanks for all the responses..i am overwhelmed. I now have another question, can her sis can marry us? That would be kind of cool. I will have her check into a Mayor also....she lives in Bulican province so will have her check into it there. So besides a minister,judge or mayor no one else can marry us? Thanks again!

my friend paid 10,000 for a judge to marry her to her fiance (USC) way back in 2005. But the judge also expedited the paperworks in such a way that when the USC left the phils, he had with him a certified true copy of the marriage certificate so he was able to file for the K3 as soon as he got back. The name of the judge, if i remember it right, is Alberto dela Cruz and he works in Quezon City Hall. I just don't know his number now. Will ask my friend if I see her online.

If you'll only have 20 relatives for the reception, why not do a lauriat? i think that's cheaper, ranges from 250-700 per head maybe

Thanks, my mahal is sleeping right now, so I will ask you, what is a "lauriat"? Thanks for the info, the condo we rented is in Quezon City so this may be convient, I will have her try to reach him when she get up in the morning. Her sister is a lawyer so we are going to have our wedding in her office so it would be better for a judge to come...

Thanks for the info.

My babe and I am planning on getting married in Manila, I have a condo rented in Q city already, a nippa hut rented in Boracay and a 53 day stay planned. It seems that we are having a slight issue with a Judge to marry us. It seems he want quit a bit of money to do it...20,000php actually to preform the marriage

What have you guys paid for a judge to preform your wedding? Is there other options besides a judge? I'm not Catholic so no help there... If you know of a judge thats cheaper can I get his/her name and a contact number?

Also, if you had a reception dinner afterwords, what did you guys pay per head and were? I am on a limited budget with my extended stay and we will have about 20 relatives to pay for so looking for good options.

Thanks, this place rocks!

Sorry if this post is out of place here.

Well he uncle happens to be a politician lol, but dont want to play that card yet....maybe he can help speed up the paper work part in the Philippines lol, kidding...hmm maybe....hehe.

So cool I dont need to worry about my birth cirt....life is good. Thanks

Ok I did a cearch and it say this Philippines 51 23 28 208 ......so its 208 day between NOA 2 and interview and 20 days for first NOA and between NOA1 and NOA2 149 for a grand total of 377 days? How long after that can she have her visa?

I just used my passport when I got my Affidavit of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry just over a year ago. When you register for a marriage certificate at her Local Civil Registry (city hall) there will be a 10 working day hold on the MC. After the ten days you can ger maried.

As for birth certificate, I just went to the county courthouse where I was born and got the copies that day.

Thanks man, but were I was born is over 500 miles away.....so thats out of the question....If i dont need it to get married I wont worry about it till I come back to the states. Thanks

I read somewere that my girl could file early for the marriage licence and then I can get to the embassy to get that stuff done and turn it into the the place she filed. Is there any truth to that? Thanks again for the response

Thanks, the legal copasity to marry is done in Manila at the us embassy. I just bring my divorce decree for that. I hope thats all I need and not birth record...its lost and I leave in 2 weeks and it will take California over 2 weeks to get it to me.

Hello. I am going to be meeting my gf in the phils on the 28th of this month. I am lucky and will be staying 53 days with her. I want to marry her while I am there but have a few questions. I looked up http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_757.html for info and found part of what I need but it also opened up a few more questions.

#1 Do i need a birth certificate to prove my citizenship or will my passport and say drivers license be enough prof?

Upon reading this:

SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER MET THE FIANCÉ/FIANCEE:

If you have never previously met your fiancé/fiancée, it may be advisable to take copies of your written correspondence and telephone bills to document the to tvalidity of your relationship he consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. This may prevent refusal of the notarial service in connection with the issuance of your Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry.

This opens a whole other can of worms...We met online in January...and after talking so much on line and on a packet 8 internet phone i sent her, we fell in love and want to get married. She is a Doctor and doesn't need me to come to the US....she could do that on her own. I would like to know if I need to print out 100's of pages of yahoo chat or can i just save as a text doc and put it on a thumb drive and present that as evidence along with my phone bills and other evidence. The second part of this can of worms is can they deny me my Affidavit based on the length of us knowing each other?

Thank you for the responses. This place rocks

Sorry to barge in on this post but on average from start to finish of a cr1 (filing the I-130 to the time a visa is issued) how long will it acually take. Take into account all the required paper work is filed correctly, in a very timely manner and payments made when requested. I know it can be different for each case....I am getting married April 7th to my love in the Phillipines and we are going to go the CR1 route. I have read and read till I am blue in the face and my butt is tired from sitting and I still cant figure this out. Thank you and sorry if this looks like a hijack attempt...its not. I think the OP did ask this question.