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abbi627

Leaving tomorrow - couple more questions

By abbi627 in Middle East and North Africa

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abbi627 Proficient

abbi627   43

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
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Hi guys! Well tomorrow is the big day. I fly out tomorrow evening for my overnight flight to Madrid and then on to Casablanca. I think I'd rather have a root canal than go through Madrid again - but hopefully it won't be as bad as last time. And of course I am terrified of flying - my phobia is SEVERE. Buy Xanax is helping me with that! But once I am in Casa and reunited with my sweetheart all will fine. And I can start this crazy process of getting married in Morocco. I arrive Tuesday. Have my appointment at the US embassy on Thursday. Not sure what day we are going to Rabat. I made the appointment at the US embassy and the rest is up to him.

A couple of questions. I know the answers to this are here somewhere but my mind is not exactly working right now LOL.

We have 2 things to 2 in Rabat right? Get our papers stamped and a criminal record check on me for Morocco? Do my papers all need to be translated before we go to Rabat.

Is it best to do the medical right away? I assume that since they will do blood work we may have to wait days for the results so it makes sense to do it immediately I would think.

He went to the court in his village and got a list of the documents I will need. I'm just going to post them here so you can all see what was requested of me:

Birth certificates (I have 2 certified copies)

Marriage certificate

Divorce certificate (I got both a certified copy from the court and a certified paper from Dept. of Vital Statistics)

Work certificate (I have a letter from employer and a copy of my W2)

Police record check (I went to my local police in Palm Beach County and got this)

Certificate of conversion to Islam (no clue how to get this but my fiance said no problem to get it there)

Certificate of good health (I know I get that there. I guess they do bloodwork for communicable diseases and some of you have said they will also do a pregnancy test)

The documents that I will have to get from the US embassy in Casa

I have to have passport size photos but I understand they are much cheaper there so I'm not worrying about that til I get there.

Of course I need my passport

So I just closed up my suitcases and am right now trying to be calm and rational. It is NOT working. I just want to get there. I'm so scared of this flight that I am making myself physically sick. Wish me luck guys. You have all helped me so much to get to this point. Now it is time for us to get married and officially start this crazy visa journey. Morocco - here I come!

And to my friends who are already in Morocco or on their way for their marriages - best of luck to you and hopefully we can all keep in touch while we are there.

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Ismael&Blair Community Regular

Ismael&Blair   66

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

A couple of questions. I know the answers to this are here somewhere but my mind is not exactly working right now LOL.

We have 2 things to 2 in Rabat right? Get our papers stamped and a criminal record check on me for Morocco? Do my papers all need to be translated before we go to Rabat.

First of all, congratulations on your marriage. It brings back happy memories of my marriage in Morocco last July. Today is actually our 8 month of marriage anniversary! I believe you got that list of all of the paperwork you need to bring with you. Actually If you are raised Christian, Catholic, or Jewish and have official church papers to show, you don't need to convert to Islam (unless by personal choice) in order to marry your husband. But if you are a male marrying a woman, then what I said doesn't apply. So disregard this comment.

When you go to the consulate in Casablanca, you pay a fee so you can get them to sign off on this certificate to say you want to marry in Morocco. And yes, you will also need to get a police clearance in Rabat in addition to having the police report you got from your hometown. All your documents in English will need to be translated to Arabic (another pretty big financial cost). So be prepared for these fees & cost adding up.

Anyways, we got all of my English documents to be translated to Arabic there. So it'll take a few days depending how fast your translator will work. If you need a reliable official translator in Rabat, let me know so I can message his info to you. He's reliable & speaks good English.

Medical is not that complicated. No blood work done on my part. They will sign a health clearance paper when you pay the fee. Everything is about paying a fee here and there to get stamps & signatures. It felt like a scavenger hunt. So it took us about 16 days to get everything done from the time I landed in Morocco. And my hubby was persistent to check on the court after we turned in all paperwork. (Everything depends on when the officials "decides" to look over your file; kind of like waiting for approval with our process here too)

It took another few days until the court approved and got the ok, finally we were ready to get married. The last step was going to an office building where they have "Abduls" to officially marry us! It was exciting!

Best wishes, good luck and just relax & enjoy the experience. It was very special for my husband and me & yes, we are now half way through our crazy VISA journey! :lol:

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Happytobe Proficient

Happytobe   164

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

Hi Abbi! I'm so excited for you! My husband says we did not have anything translated for the things in Rabat. We had the papers from the Consulate stamped there. They need the BC for the police report.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

01/28/2013 I-130 package sent

01/31/2013 Notice of Action Date After POE
02/01/2013 Received e-mail and text notification of acceptance 11/26/2013 Applied for SS#
02/04/2013 Received hard copy NOA1 (case not found in on-line system) 12/02/2013 ELIS site still states "accepted"
03/12/2013 Transferred to the local office 12/27/2013 received green card
04/10/2013 Case still not found in on-line system
04/15/2013 INFO-PASS appointment

05/01/2013 NOA2 sent petition approved

NVC Stage...of course it has to be complicatedreading.gifrolleyes.gif

05/09/2013 Case received by NVC

05/23/2013 Received case #'s from NVC

05/23/2013 DS-3032 sent from husband's e-mail

06/03/2013 First day I can not access payment portal

06/04/2013 AOS Fee invoiced and payment made

06/04/2013 DS-3032 resent with Supervisor Review

06/05/2013 DS-3032 acceptance e-mail

06/05/2013 AOS Fee shows "PAID"

06/06/2013 AOS package express mailed

06/07/2013 IV bill invoiced and payment made (still waiting on documents from Hubby)

06/08/2013 IV package express mailed

06/25/2013 IV reviewed - Checklist (2 errors, Birth document & date on DS-230)

06/26/2013 Requested supervisor review by e-mail & verbal request for birth document (fingers crossed)

06/27/2013 AOS accepted

06/28/2013 Checklist response sent for corrected DS-230 (I had my husband sign extra's just in-case)

08/02/2013 NVC requested a supervisor review on the checklist item over 20 business day window

08/05/2013 Case Complete!!! kicking.gif

08/27/2013 Interview Assigned

10/30/2013 Interview

11/04/2013 Pick up Passport

11/12/2013 POE @ JFK

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abbi627 Proficient

abbi627   43

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thanks to both of you. I should know all these things by now - but it feels like my mind has gone completely blank LOL.

As for the document about my conversion to Islam. I am already Muslim and have been for some time but don't really have a way to prove it. But my fiance says we can get that paperwork there.

Even though I am nervous about the trip I am starting to feel the excitement of knowing I am finally getting married to my wonderful sweetheart. I have been so scared of the trip I have been so focused on the fear that I have not let myself enjoy the anticipation of the wonderful days to come. But today I am vowing not to let my fear cause me to be miserable. This is a happy time.

I wish I was more like my fiance. He is calm and rational and takes everything in stride. He never gets stressed out or upset. I stress out and worry over every little thing. He is a good balance for me. And it is good that he will be handling the paperwork part of the marriage because I am afraid I would start to lose patience with all the stuff we have to go through LOL.

Thanks again. I will post from Morocco as I go through this process day by day and hopefully I can help others who are getting married in Morocco.

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abbi627 Proficient

abbi627   43

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Oh and I forgot to add - please if it is not too much trouble could you PM me with the info on the translator. I know my fiance said he would go to find one but if I already have the information that will be a big help. Thank you.

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Happytobe Proficient

Happytobe   164

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

We used some one in Fez from the list of approved translators on the consulate website. I sent my husband the link and he picked one. That way I have faith the translations would be acceptable on both ends. If I was at my computer, I would put the link on here, but I'm on the phone at work....

01/28/2013 I-130 package sent

01/31/2013 Notice of Action Date After POE
02/01/2013 Received e-mail and text notification of acceptance 11/26/2013 Applied for SS#
02/04/2013 Received hard copy NOA1 (case not found in on-line system) 12/02/2013 ELIS site still states "accepted"
03/12/2013 Transferred to the local office 12/27/2013 received green card
04/10/2013 Case still not found in on-line system
04/15/2013 INFO-PASS appointment

05/01/2013 NOA2 sent petition approved

NVC Stage...of course it has to be complicatedreading.gifrolleyes.gif

05/09/2013 Case received by NVC

05/23/2013 Received case #'s from NVC

05/23/2013 DS-3032 sent from husband's e-mail

06/03/2013 First day I can not access payment portal

06/04/2013 AOS Fee invoiced and payment made

06/04/2013 DS-3032 resent with Supervisor Review

06/05/2013 DS-3032 acceptance e-mail

06/05/2013 AOS Fee shows "PAID"

06/06/2013 AOS package express mailed

06/07/2013 IV bill invoiced and payment made (still waiting on documents from Hubby)

06/08/2013 IV package express mailed

06/25/2013 IV reviewed - Checklist (2 errors, Birth document & date on DS-230)

06/26/2013 Requested supervisor review by e-mail & verbal request for birth document (fingers crossed)

06/27/2013 AOS accepted

06/28/2013 Checklist response sent for corrected DS-230 (I had my husband sign extra's just in-case)

08/02/2013 NVC requested a supervisor review on the checklist item over 20 business day window

08/05/2013 Case Complete!!! kicking.gif

08/27/2013 Interview Assigned

10/30/2013 Interview

11/04/2013 Pick up Passport

11/12/2013 POE @ JFK

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RFQ Community Regular

RFQ   110

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Egypt
 Timeline
Posted

I just want to wish you the best! Also just a side note-- I know I'm dealing with Egypt buy my hubby says passport photos there or anywhere aren't the same as the US size. Probably good you are waiting on that. :)

RFQ [uSA] & SIMA [EGYPT]
Sima Applies for B2: 12/2012
5yr B2 approved: 02/2012
Married: 03/09/2012
NAO1: 04/25/2012
NAO2: 07/26/2012
8/8/2012: NVC Case Received
NVC #: 8/29/2012
1/24/13: AoS and 230 accepted
01/31/13: Rec'd checklist (expectedly)
02/14/13: Item @ NVC
CASE COMPLETE: 2/24/13
03/15/13: Interview date received
03/17/13: Medical
INTERVIEW: 4/03/13
"Approved Pending AP"
11/07/2013: Request for Updated Documents (via Egyptian consulate AP page)

12/20/2013: Request for return of Passport to Embassy (phone call)
01/13/2014: Passport returned to embassy

01/15/2014: Status Changed (CEAC) Visa Printed
VISA RECEIVED: 1/17/14 dancin5hr.gif
POE: JFK on 3/12/14 CLEARED!
Baby1 1/2015 Baby2 8/2106 isA
2016 Beginning naturalization process later this year, isA

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Ismael&Blair Community Regular

Ismael&Blair   66

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

I wish I was more like my fiance. He is calm and rational and takes everything in stride. He never gets stressed out or upset. I stress out and worry over every little thing. He is a good balance for me. And it is good that he will be handling the paperwork part of the marriage because I am afraid I would start to lose patience with all the stuff we have to go through LOL.

Yes, my hubby & I are the same way too! (He is the calm wise one while I'm the worrisome emotional one) LOL. Sorry, for the late reply. I'm going to send you the translator's info. now. He is in Rabat and he is actually translating all of my hubby's stuff (Arabic to English) for the NVC stage now. He did all of my papers from English to Arabic. We got our NOA2 & are now getting the stuff ready to send for the second part of this VISA journey. Hopefully, his interview will be scheduled for either June or July coz I'll be in Morocco this summer with him.

Have a safe flight& best wishes!

Keep in touch & let us know! :)

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SaharaSunset Enthusiast

SaharaSunset   165

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

So I don't know anything about the marriage process but I know all about having severe phobia of flying. :blink: And you're posts about your fears of flying make me laugh because I am exactly the same! I have a serious fear of flying - like, I've had a full on panic attack while flying (and at the age of 29 :P ). And whats sad is I have flown all over the world many times - even a 15 hour straight flight to New Zealand & back....and I am still totally freaked out every single time. All the stuff people say about "you're more likely to die in car crash in the way to the airport" was never any comfort at all...maybe because that's not so unlikely :P

But I once read an article in TIME magazine that said "You are statistically more likely to die from being kicked by a donkey, than die in plane crash." :yes: Its one of the few statistics that for some reason brought me a small bit of comfort. So now, whenever I fly, I think of that and it helps...a little ^_^

Have a wonderful time - And congrats!

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Ismael&Blair Community Regular

Ismael&Blair   66

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
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But I once read an article in TIME magazine that said "You are statistically more likely to die from being kicked by a donkey, than die in plane crash." :yes: Its one of the few statistics that for some reason brought me a small bit of comfort. So now, whenever I fly, I think of that and it helps...a little ^_^

Ok, thanks for the wonderful visual about being kicked by a donkey. I'll definitely remember it forever and ever especially when I get on a plane this June! LOL :lol:

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abbi627 Proficient

abbi627   43

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
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I love that statistic about being kicked by a donkey. Of course we have donkey's at my husband's home LOL. So I am off to the airport now. Thanks everyone and I will post when I get there.

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PalestineMyHeart Veteran

PalestineMyHeart   1,897

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Filed: Country: Palestine
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I love that statistic about being kicked by a donkey. Of course we have donkey's at my husband's home LOL. So I am off to the airport now. Thanks everyone and I will post when I get there.

Wishing you a smooth, easy flight and a wonderful time with your husband !

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شارع النجمة في بيت لحم

Too bad what happened to a once thriving VJ but hardly a surprise

al Nakba 1948-2015
66 years of forced exile and dispossession


Copyright © 2015 by PalestineMyHeart. Original essays, comments by and personal photographs taken by PalestineMyHeart are the exclusive intellectual property of PalestineMyHeart and may not be reused, reposted, or republished anywhere in any manner without express written permission from PalestineMyHeart.

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SaharaSunset Enthusiast

SaharaSunset   165

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Morocco
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Posted

Ok, thanks for the wonderful visual about being kicked by a donkey. I'll definitely remember it forever and ever especially when I get on a plane this June! LOL :lol:

I love that statistic about being kicked by a donkey. Of course we have donkey's at my husband's home LOL. So I am off to the airport now. Thanks everyone and I will post when I get there.

Hahaha! When I read that article years ago, I had not yet been to Morocco, so the idea of dying from a donkey kick was so silly far fetched it was comical - that of course the comparison made the irrational fear of a plane crash far fetched too. But now that you mention it, there are enough donkeys in Morocco that maybe its kind of like the "your more likely to die in car crash" comparison...and so perhaps not so comforting after all LOL - sorry :blush:

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