Cenomar

[OneSoulMate 2]

My Fiancee was issued her CENOMAR in January and her interview is in July. I was researching the CENOMAR trying to find out how long they are valid after they are issued. They are not printed with an expiration date and there is lots of conflicting information on this topic, even on this site, so I decided to post my findings here.

The best source I could find is the US Embassy Site - Philippines

I know links can change over time so here is the relevant information, this was posted in the comments section by an official employee:

We generally accept CENOMARs issued within the past year. However, if the Consular Officer has some question about whether you got married since your last CENOMAR was issued, he/she may ask for a new one at the interview. If this is the case, you could obtain a new one after the interview and submit it through the courier service. You can put either purpose on the CENOMAR.

The last line was in response to this question (paraphrased): "What should we put as the purpose for the CENOMAR, for Marriage or for U.S. VISA?" Either answer is acceptable.

Obviously it is better to have a CENOMAR issued within a few months of the interview, but in most cases they will accept one that is a year old.

I hope this helps.

[Hank_ 9,174]

My wife said they didn't ask what it will be used for, they just checked status and issued the document, a CENOMAR back then. It takes a maximum of a week to get the CENOMAR, they will give you a date to come back. The document I believe is good for a year but don't know that I would bring one older than 3 months to the interview.

[Tahoma 2,292]

don't know that I would bring one older than 3 months to the interview.

Agreed... :thumbs: ...Why risk it?

[archy219 2]

get a new one for the interview even if it is not expired, they will ask for it. Had my interview last June and they did ask if I have a new CENOMAR

[Mogambi 96]

You can also order it online very easily at https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Default.aspx

You order it, go to BDO and pay the fee (like p400 or something) and they will mail it to anywhere you want.

We had ours in 4 days from the time we paid at BDO.

[Hank_ 9,174]

This is clearly a fiancee topic. So just to clarify for those coming over with an immigrant visa:

A CENOMAR is obviously not required, since they will be married.

Further, the CEMAR, the next logical conclusion, is also not required. Especially if the immigrant in under 25(which is generally the case in Manila)

[archy219 2]

[KatieBag 0]

My CENOMAR was issued last SEP. 2011 and I used it at my interview June 2012 and the CO didn't ask a new one from me. But the lady who had an interview the same time with me, her CO asked her for new CENOMAR hers was only taken 5 months ago.

[Caryh 5,206]

My CENOMAR was issued last SEP. 2011 and I used it at my interview June 2012 and the CO didn't ask a new one from me. But the lady who had an interview the same time with me, her CO asked her for new CENOMAR hers was only taken 5 months ago.

Which is why its best to have a fresh one, unless you don't mind delays. But rejecting a 5 month old one seems a bit petty.

[Mogambi 96]

Exactly, and when ordering it online is both cheap and easy, NO reason not to have a current one. You don't invite trouble by bringing old documents. They might be accepted, but why give them the option!

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

This is clearly a fiancee topic. So just to clarify for those coming over with an immigrant visa:

A CENOMAR is obviously not required, since they will be married.

Further, the CEMAR, the next logical conclusion, is also not required. Especially if the immigrant in under 25(which is generally the case in Manila)

The second part of your post is incorrect. PLease stop giving out wrong information. If indeed you didn't have any interview and no CEMAR was required at all (something I still doubt), an error was made.