Manila Embassy Interview

[zethris 0]

A week from today is the final interview and boy are we nervous. Elaine is in Manila right now, already had her medical examination and got her immunizations but the last big hurtle it seems is that final interview. I hope that all our hard word pays off and there isn't some achilies heel of a document we didn't hear that they demand (such as the many who probably were not informed of the electronic 156 form).

Here goes something...

[lovebug 0]

OMG....We didn't know about a cenomar! It amazes me that I have an atorney and he has said nothing of this! Where does she get a cenomar?

If never married, a Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted. You may call the NSO Information Center at 02-737-1111 or visit the NSO webpage at https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/frmIndex.asp to secure a CENOMAR (Singleness).

What does the NSO security paper look like, and how exactly can we tell if the CENOMAR and BC we have is on NSO security paper?

i do think that BC/CENOMAR varies in colors. last 2002 i think the color of my BC from the NSO was green with 3 stamps on the front but the DFA took it for my passport. then i get another one this year colored pink (the paper itself) over top by some yellow colored ink, with no stamp this time. so colors or stamp doesnt really matter as long as you took it from the NSO itself (knowing there's a barcode and registered no# at the bottom), so the embassy might check that barcode whether what you have is a fake BC or not (just my guesses). i dont know about the CENOMAR though...

Thanks for the info. I think I'm reading here that only the NSO office in Manila issues the BC and CENOMAR on NSO "security paper", and that the paper is rather distinctive-looking.

Does anyone know if you can order this through a local NSO office or does it have to be requested at the Manila office?

[/quote

try to call NSO helpline 027371111 to order

I already know you can order online or by phone from Manila. What I want to know is, can my fiance go to her local NSO office and order the BC and CENOMAR on NSO security paper from the NSO in Manila.

Yes, she can get her BC and CENOMAR at her local NSO office. It's cheaper than ordering online. I got mine from NSO Davao City i ordered 2 copies of my BC and one for CENOMAR.

Lara

[sway 0]

A week from today is the final interview and boy are we nervous. Elaine is in Manila right now, already had her medical examination and got her immunizations but the last big hurtle it seems is that final interview. I hope that all our hard word pays off and there isn't some achilies heel of a document we didn't hear that they demand (such as the many who probably were not informed of the electronic 156 form).

Here goes something...

Just relax and be prepared. Everything will go smoothly. You're in my prayers. Goodluck!!!

Vanny

Edited November 28, 2006 by sway

[garya505 2]

OMG....We didn't know about a cenomar! It amazes me that I have an atorney and he has said nothing of this! Where does she get a cenomar?

If never married, a Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted. You may call the NSO Information Center at 02-737-1111 or visit the NSO webpage at https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/frmIndex.asp to secure a CENOMAR (Singleness).

What does the NSO security paper look like, and how exactly can we tell if the CENOMAR and BC we have is on NSO security paper?

i do think that BC/CENOMAR varies in colors. last 2002 i think the color of my BC from the NSO was green with 3 stamps on the front but the DFA took it for my passport. then i get another one this year colored pink (the paper itself) over top by some yellow colored ink, with no stamp this time. so colors or stamp doesnt really matter as long as you took it from the NSO itself (knowing there's a barcode and registered no# at the bottom), so the embassy might check that barcode whether what you have is a fake BC or not (just my guesses). i dont know about the CENOMAR though...

Thanks for the info. I think I'm reading here that only the NSO office in Manila issues the BC and CENOMAR on NSO "security paper", and that the paper is rather distinctive-looking.

Does anyone know if you can order this through a local NSO office or does it have to be requested at the Manila office?

[/quote

try to call NSO helpline 027371111 to order

I already know you can order online or by phone from Manila. What I want to know is, can my fiance go to her local NSO office and order the BC and CENOMAR on NSO security paper from the NSO in Manila.

Yes, she can get her BC and CENOMAR at her local NSO office. It's cheaper than ordering online. I got mine from NSO Davao City i ordered 2 copies of my BC and one for CENOMAR.

Lara

Were yours on NSO security paper?

Edited November 28, 2006 by garya505

[cguytx 0]

I am climbing the walls nervously waiting a call from my wife. She is at the embassy doing interview today. I hope to have some good news later this evening!

All these months of waiting, paperwork, fees comes down to a 2 or 3 minute interview with a consulate officer...

[cguytx 0]

Wife called, the consulate officer gave her a form and told her that since her birthcertificate has been corrected that they need another copy from NSO. Gave her instructions to report to NSO for another copy and come back to embassy. She was asked to pay delbros.

All because her father's first middle name was misspelled on her original birth certificate and was corrected with the nso several years ago.

oh well...I'm numb at this point.

I am climbing the walls nervously waiting a call from my wife. She is at the embassy doing interview today. I hope to have some good news later this evening!

All these months of waiting, paperwork, fees comes down to a 2 or 3 minute interview with a consulate officer...

[robhankins 0]

Wife called, the consulate officer gave her a form and told her that since her birthcertificate has been corrected that they need another copy from NSO. Gave her instructions to report to NSO for another copy and come back to embassy. She was asked to pay delbros.

All because her father's first middle name was misspelled on her original birth certificate and was corrected with the nso several years ago.

oh well...I'm numb at this point.

Stephen,

I feel for you. As a fellow Dallasite who will soon follow your footsteps in February with an interview at USE, please keep this post up to date.

My fiancee has corrected the spelling of her first name on her birth certificate 2 years ago. Her passport, NBI, school records and everything else is in the corrected spelling.

I called the USE today. I asked the lady in the visa section if the corrected spelling of a name on a birth certificate would cause AR. She said it might or might not. It is at the discretion of the Consulate Officer doing the interview. Another member here told me that he was told that ALL birth certificate changes require AR because there is a lot of fraud now. Can you let us know what you find out, what is the process and how long it takes?

I wish you the very best and speediest solution.

Thanks,

Rob

Edited November 28, 2006 by robhankins

[BJZags 17]

I called the USE today. I asked the lady in the visa section if the corrected spelling of a name on a birth certificate would cause AR. She said it might or might not. It is at the discretion of the Consulate Officer doing the interview. Another member here told me that he was told that ALL birth certificate changes require AR because there is a lot of fraud now.

I'm inclined to think that it largely depends upon the other supporting documents for identification that a person can bring. Due to the messed-up nature of government agencies in the Phiippines, I suspect that a somehow screwed-up BC is the norm rather then the exception and most COs would know and expect this. So unfortunately it might hinge on luck-of-the-draw and what CO does the interview.

[garya505 2]

Maybe this is why the US Embassy web site says this for requirements for the interview:

BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics

Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. If applicable, you should also submit NSO birth

certificates for all your children, even for those who are not applying for a visa. You may call the NSO

Information Center at 02-737-1111 to inquire on securing a birth certificate or visit their website at

www.census.gov.ph.

This is why I've been asking about the "NSO security paper" thing.

[RonMay 1]

Were yours on NSO security paper?

garya i believe your fiance is from CDO right? i got my BC here at the NSO CDO. and of course i believe all BC coming from the NSO itself is all being done and printed with their security paper. an NSO seal on the top left side, a barcode and serial no#'s on the bottom left side, printed name and signature by the Administrator and Civil Registar on the bottom right side. (i wish i could scan it for u but my scanner wont scan if one of the ink is empty)... but if u really want to make it sure, have ur fiancee go to the NSO office (easy to reach if your from CDO), or have her call the local office and ask if all security paper are the same regardless on where u requested ur BC... i wana hear what's the final verdict too! lol

[dims1 0]

when you say she has to return to Manila Embassy to give them the NSO BC...

I wonder what happens when my sweety goes and has this problem with a late reg. BC and she lives in Cebu. Will she have to fly there again to hand them the BC?

This is turning into a real issue. Maybe we should start a Manila thread just for this topic. I'm really concerned about this.

Mike

[robhankins 0]

Maybe this is why the US Embassy web site says this for requirements for the interview:

BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics

Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. If applicable, you should also submit NSO birth

certificates for all your children, even for those who are not applying for a visa. You may call the NSO

Information Center at 02-737-1111 to inquire on securing a birth certificate or visit their website at

www.census.gov.ph.

This is why I've been asking about the "NSO security paper" thing.

These ARE on NSO Security paper from NSO.

[garya505 2]

Were yours on NSO security paper?

garya i believe your fiance is from CDO right? i got my BC here at the NSO CDO. and of course i believe all BC coming from the NSO itself is all being done and printed with their security paper. an NSO seal on the top left side, a barcode and serial no#'s on the bottom left side, printed name and signature by the Administrator and Civil Registar on the bottom right side. (i wish i could scan it for u but my scanner wont scan if one of the ink is empty)... but if u really want to make it sure, have ur fiancee go to the NSO office (easy to reach if your from CDO), or have her call the local office and ask if all security paper are the same regardless on where u requested ur BC... i wana hear what's the final verdict too! lol

So far the NSO in Manila has confirmed that all of their docs are issued on NSO security paper. I currently have another email request to clarify what the local NSO offices can provide, or get from the Manila office.

I don't intend to go to my fiancee's interview and have them tell us we are on AR because her BC or CENOMAR is not on the right paper!

[cguytx 0]

Yes NSO security paper and all. Consulate Officer told her due to high fraud to changed birth certificates any amended birth certificates need to be verfied by requesting a copy from the NSO. I've requested online and wife is there in person now.

What kills me is it was a typo on her fathers first name Manual instead of Manuel, and her birth cert on nso had the correction stamps and seals.

Guess an amended birth certificate is an automatic AR

Were yours on NSO security paper?

garya i believe your fiance is from CDO right? i got my BC here at the NSO CDO. and of course i believe all BC coming from the NSO itself is all being done and printed with their security paper. an NSO seal on the top left side, a barcode and serial no#'s on the bottom left side, printed name and signature by the Administrator and Civil Registar on the bottom right side. (i wish i could scan it for u but my scanner wont scan if one of the ink is empty)... but if u really want to make it sure, have ur fiancee go to the NSO office (easy to reach if your from CDO), or have her call the local office and ask if all security paper are the same regardless on where u requested ur BC... i wana hear what's the final verdict too! lol

[garya505 2]

How are these "corrections" done on the BC? Handwritten or what? How do they know it's corrected or amended?