CENMAR question

[aurora07 6]

Hi guys,

I'm currently preparing for my interview next month and thank God for this website or else I wouldn't have known that I still need that CENMAR or Marriage Index.

I saw one VJer's post though that she was asked for her husband's CENMAR as well. I wanna know if this is really needed. Has any of you guys experienced this -being asked for both wife and husband's CENMAR?

Btw, here's my checklist for the interview. Please let me know if there's anything else I need:

Passport (with SLMEC)

Interview letter

Family/Wedding pictures

NSO Marriage Cert

NSO Birth Cert for me and hubby

NBI clearance

3 2x2 photos

Our son's CRBA Certificate

Btw, do they really ask for the NSO certificates and NBI clearance considering that we've already submitted them to NVC?

Thanks in advance!!

Edited December 9, 2010 by aurora07

[Atencio 43]

I had to submit a Cenomar when I applied for my marriage license but have not heard of needing one for interview. Then again until just recently I had never heard that wife needed to bring hers for the interview.

[aurora07 6]

Hi Atencio,

check this site out: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/281466-visa-delayed-because-we-didnt-have-cenomar-at-interview/

[naypime 8]

hi girls...i talked to a girl from here, her interview was couple days ago and she said usem asked for her CENMAR/marriage index during her interview then i asked the other vj member that passed her interview and she said they didn't asked for Marriage Index from her...I think it depends on who will interview you on the pre-screening and the actual interview...But make sure you have the papers with you and get it ready so incase they will ask for it or not you are already prepared...Incase they ask for it and you dont have it, it will cause delay on the issuance of visa..im planning to get my Marriage Index soon too...Hope that helps a little...GOODLUCK ON YOUR UPCOMING INTERVIEW GIRLS...KEEP US POSTED ABOUT THE RESULT OF THE INTERVIEW AND THE EXPERIENCED AS WELL....

[Atencio 43]

Thanks for info. Wife will ask brother who works for NSO about it.

I really don't understand why it is needed when a Cenomar was needed at the beginning of this whole process.

[BigJohn 4]

Me either why wouldn't the NSO marriage certificate be enough??

[Filipinawife0210 15]

I think that because the PI is such a high fraud country, and anything can be forged/reproduced...that they require both just to make sure that all info is identical. Such as....someone may be able to obtain a fake CENOMAR just for the sake of getting a visa, and when they run the marriage index...Bingo Bango, there is a marriage listed....

just my two cents worth.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Why would the USEM as for your CEMAR/marriage index?

Even the NSO Copy of your Marriage Certificate only shows 1 thing: That on said date you married said person. It does not show that either a) you were never previously married or b) if previously married any/all previous marriage(s) were legally terminated under Philippine Law.

My wife was told that her visa would be approved once the Embassy confirmed her CEMAR! Luckily she had already obtained it from the NSO and was able to present it on the spot so she was approved right there.

I look at it this way, I'd rather spend a little to have the document & not need it than get to the interview and face another delay because I didn't get it.

FWIW, the USEM should never ask for a USC's CEMAR/CENOMAR because there is nothing equalivent in the US.

[Atencio 43]

Well as said better to be safe than sorry. Wife has one coming to her.

[Armenia 18]

Why would the USEM as for your CEMAR/marriage index?

Even the NSO Copy of your Marriage Certificate only shows 1 thing: That on said date you married said person. It does not show that either a) you were never previously married or b) if previously married any/all previous marriage(s) were legally terminated under Philippine Law.

My wife was told that her visa would be approved once the Embassy confirmed her CEMAR! Luckily she had already obtained it from the NSO and was able to present it on the spot so she was approved right there.

I look at it this way, I'd rather spend a little to have the document & not need it than get to the interview and face another delay because I didn't get it.

FWIW, the USEM should never ask for a USC's CEMAR/CENOMAR because there is nothing equalivent in the US.

I only had my Canadian marriage certificate when I went to my interview. I read about married people still being asked for a CENOMAR only late Nov (I think, or early Dec) so the NSO wouldn't be able to issue me my CENOMAR before my interview. I went to the interview anyway.

The Immigration Officer (IO) during the FInal Interview did ask if I have a CENOMAR. I said I didn't request it early enough for the interview because I didn't know I needed a CENOMAR since it said in the "list of requirements" that it is only for people who have never contracted marriage. He said that he requires proof that I've never been married.

The good thing was I did have an old original CENOMAR with me that was issued in 2005 (proving I was never married from the time I was born up to 2005) and I have passport stamps to show that I was out of the country (Philippines) from 200X to 2010 (just returned this year to PH) and, consequently, could never have been married in the Philippines. Those were acceptable evidence to him. He said, "I get what you mean (while looking through my old passports' entry/departure stamps; He never asked to see my original 2005 CENOMAR). Your visa is approved. See? We can be reasonable."

That being said, if you already know (now you know since you've already read this far into this thread) and you have time before the interview, do get your CENOMAR even if you're already married.

Edited December 14, 2010 by Armenia

[Atencio 43]

Quick question even though wife now has a Cenmar.

She still has a Cenomar for both her and I prior to our marriage this year. Would the interviewer had accepted them?