CENOMAR at US Embassy in Manila

[chrism07023 4]

Sorry, I know this is better put in the Philippines section but I'm new here and couldn't quickly figure out where the <New Topic> button is in that section. So I'm posting this here..

Long story short, my wife had her interview today at the US Manila Embassy. All documents were in order but we did not have the "CENOMAR" (Cert of no marriage records). That bothered me, because we have been married for about 2 1/2 years and needed this document in order to obtain our marriage certificate from the NSO. However, despite having the marriage certificate at the interview, they still asked us to obtain the CENOMAR (again). Very very silly.

I did some web surfing and digging - On the Manila US Embassy website ( http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3217.html ), it has a list of required documents to bring....(curiously, 1-10 are in bold, 11, 12, etc, look hastily added and are not bold). 12 says:

12. CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE RECORD (CENOMAR). If you have never contracted marriage, a CENOMAR (Singleness) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted. You may call the NSO Information Center at (632) 737-1111 to inquire on securing a CENOMAR or visit their website at http://www.census.gov.ph.

But since my wife and I have obviously "contracted marriage" already, I'm not sure why they are asking for a CENOMAR..

I also see from a quick search other couples have fallen into this trap. I've told the embassy now that the website is misleading. Even my Immigration lawyer found it odd to ask for a CENOMAR for a married couple who has a marriage license.

Any thoughts?

[mave1104 1]

maybe you just misunderstand it maybe they are asking for CEMAR (certificate of marriage) and not CENOMAR (Certificate of no marriage)

Don't be confuse

[chrism07023 4]

maybe you just misunderstand it maybe they are asking for CEMAR (certificate of marriage) and not CENOMAR (Certificate of no marriage)

Don't be confuse

That would make sense, if true. Unfortunately though, I confirmed it 3 times, through the wife, and 2 different embassy phone staffers - they said CENOMAR. Moreover, the website includes the following documentation requirement:

"12. CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE RECORD (CENOMAR). If you have never contracted marriage, a CENOMAR (Singleness) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted. You may call the NSO Information Center at (632) 737-1111 to inquire on securing a CENOMAR or visit their website at http://www.census.gov.ph."

We brought our marriage certificate, as well as my proof of singleness and my divorce decree (from my first marriage). Despite that, and a U-Haul full of W2, tax info, proof of relatoinship, phone records, etc, etc. it still comes down to not having a silly illogical piece of paper....ridiculous.

Edited March 27, 2012 by chrism07023

[Leatherneck 693]

It's normal for USEM to ask a married Filipino for a CENOMAR.

[chrism07023 4]

It's normal for USEM to ask a married Filipino for a CENOMAR.

Then then should at least update their web page, which reads as if you would only need the CENOMAR if you're not married (contractually). At least that's my read.

Beyond that, it's illogical. A = CENOMAR. B = Marriage Cert. You need A to get B. We brought B. They said bring A, too. It's like, whatever you guys say!!! I could understand it if the marriage cert is from a different Phils govt agency than the CENOMAR, but they're both from the NSO.

Edited March 27, 2012 by chrism07023

[mave1104 1]

maybe they need a negative copy for CENOMAR.. negative copy will come out if there is no file for you

[Leatherneck 693]

Then then should at least update their web page, which reads as if you would only need the CENOMAR if you're not married (contractually). At least that's my read.

Beyond that, it's illogical. A = CENOMAR. B = Marriage Cert. You need A to get B. We brought B. They said bring A, too. It's like, whatever you guys say!!! I could understand it if the marriage cert is from a different Phils govt agency than the CENOMAR, but they're both from the NSO.

I hear you, keep in mind -- not every IR1/CR1 beneficiary is requested to provide a CENOMAR -- in that sense, the site is correct. A consular officer has broad discretion with regard to the documents he/she can request.

[Wally G! 58]

That would make sense, if true. Unfortunately though, I confirmed it 3 times, through the wife, and 2 different embassy phone staffers - they said CENOMAR. Moreover, the website includes the following documentation requirement:

"12. CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE RECORD (CENOMAR). If you have never contracted marriage, a CENOMAR (Singleness) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper should be submitted. You may call the NSO Information Center at (632) 737-1111 to inquire on securing a CENOMAR or visit their website at http://www.census.gov.ph."

We brought our marriage certificate, as well as my proof of singleness and my divorce decree (from my first marriage). Despite that, and a U-Haul full of W2, tax info, proof of relatoinship, phone records, etc, etc. it still comes down to not having a silly illogical piece of paper....ridiculous.

Here is a similar situation http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/313713-cenomar-for-cr1-visa/page__view__findpost__p__4735317

In this process for a Visa. I have learned, its better to have all then not to have one of the document being requested. In the link above. One member made a valid point. Married couples should be requesting a Advisory of Marriage (ADMAR).

I will assume the logic behind requiring a CENMAR and CENOMAR is due to you submitted your first CENOMAR to Obtain the CENMAR. They (USEM) needs to see that you were truly free and single to marry. Then the second CENOMAR stating you were free and single and now married on said date. Just a thought not facts!!

[pushbrk 12,821]

maybe you just misunderstand it maybe they are asking for CEMAR (certificate of marriage) and not CENOMAR (Certificate of no marriage)

Don't be confuse

Right. What is needed is the NSO marriage certificate, sometimes called the CEMAR. Married people cannot obtain a Certificate of NO marriage.

[reginakrys 33]

What they are asking for is the Advisory of Marriage. It's different from the Marriage Certificate. To get it, you must request a CENOMAR form and fill it up. What they will give you is the CEMAR or Advisory of Marriage if you're married.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Philippines regional forum.

[cardilene 26]

You need a CENOMAR,

We just had our interview last March 15, 2012

and thanks to Mr. BLU here in VJ,

whom suggested that I bring a CENOMAR to the interview,

like you I was adamant to bring a CENOMAR coz I am only married

to my wife and to no one else, and by bring the NSO Marriage Certificate,

I thought that it was proof enough, but I was wrong,

so before I went to the interview I decided to get a CENOMAR from the NSO,

it says in the CENOMAR that the NSO is certifying that I am currently married

and have been married only to my wife, I'll try to scan the document later and post it here

for your reference, I was very thankful to MR. BLU coz if not for that tip,

I would have been in a short delay, probably a week or 2 or even more, just because I failed

to provide that CENOMAR, it is a trap, luckily I did not fell for it...

Good luck,...

[pushbrk 12,821]

You need a CENOMAR,

We just had our interview last March 15, 2012

and thanks to Mr. BLU here in VJ,

whom suggested that I bring a CENOMAR to the interview,

like you I was adamant to bring a CENOMAR coz I am only married

to my wife and to no one else, and by bring the NSO Marriage Certificate,

I thought that it was proof enough, but I was wrong,

so before I went to the interview I decided to get a CENOMAR from the NSO,

it says in the CENOMAR that the NSO is certifying that I am currently married

and have been married only to my wife, I'll try to scan the document later and post it here

for your reference, I was very thankful to MR. BLU coz if not for that tip,

I would have been in a short delay, probably a week or 2 or even more, just because I failed

to provide that CENOMAR, it is a trap, luckily I did not fell for it...

Good luck,...

What you got was a CEMAR, not a CENOMAR, though they are obtained using the same form.

[cardilene 26]

Whatever it is called here it is:

Again Thanks to MR. BLU,..!

[mr.blu 10]

Whatever it is called here it is:

Again Thanks to MR. BLU,..!

Edited March 27, 2012 by mr.blu