Marriage in the Philippines

[Natanloupan 11]

OK got my notice today about the RFE to our I-130 . My wife was came over to the United States on a K-1 visa . She was married and then returned home and then her husband divorced her . Her status in the Philippines was never changed and has stayed single . When we went to fill out the marriage certificate in the Philippines they put single for my wife and divorced for myself .

Now the RFE request is for a written explanation for this reason . Why she is divorced , but listed single on the marriage certificate . They did not outright ask for a corrected certificate , but said If necessary . Will just a letter be good enough ? Has anyone had this RFE before ? Thanks for any help

Edited January 17, 2014 by Tandag1025

[Tahoma 2,292]

What document did you submit to the USCIS (or was it submitted to the NVC)? Was it an "NSO Marriage Certificate" or was it a "Marriage License?"

[Natanloupan 11]

My wife was married on a K-1 visa . The marriage was failing and she decided to go back home . Now AOS was never filed and her husband filed and was granted a divorce . When we were married my wife's status on her cenomar was single . Thus a single status was entered on the marriage certificate . There is no divorce in the Philippines between two Filipino's however a foreign final decree of divorce is recognized and that Filipino would be free to marry again . Had my wife reported the first marriage to the Philippines consulate what would she have had to do for us to be married ?

We received an RFE about this discrepancy on our marriage certificate . They have accepted the proof and termination of such marriage for my wife . They are asking for a letter of explanation for the status of single on the marriage certificate . I know the reasons why she never reported the first marriage and they are valid ones . I am not sure how to write this letter . I have written two letters one with a short answer and also one with the details and reasons on why she never reported the marriage and the explanation of the single status on the marriage certificate . They have not asked for a new corrected copy , but suggest it . This we can not do since it would take at least six months just to petition to change it to divorced . I am hoping just the explanation will be sufficient . I want to be as honest as possible and my wife does as well .

Thanks for any help on this matter .

[Natanloupan 11]

What document did you submit to the USCIS (or was it submitted to the NVC)? Was it an "NSO Marriage Certificate" or was it a "Marriage License?"

We just sent in the marriage certificate from the town hall . We have not been through NVC yet , but I think this will be a problem there as well .

[Hank_ 9,174]

Letter of explanation - Marriage was completed in the USA so Philippines have no record of it on file.

[Natanloupan 11]

Letter of explanation - Marriage was completed in the USA so Philippines have no record of it on file.

We found out that the change would only take about 1 month or less . I was going to send in just a simple letter of explanation . That the marriage and divorce were completed in the USA and the Philippines has no record . The cenomar status was single from National Statistics Office . It was required to put single on line 7 civil status " Single " due to that document . Not exactly in those words , but that basically it . Just to avoid problems down the road with NVC or at the interview we plan on making the change . From what I understand the corrected certificate would now say " Single " (Divorced in USA) . Hopefully that will be enough to get us an approval at USCIS .

Thanks Hank

[Tahoma 2,292]

When you and your then-fiancée filled out an application for a marriage license in the Philippines, did the marriage license application form have tick boxes on it for "single," "divorced" "annulled," etc? If so, which box did your then-fiancée check?

[Ontarkie 14,234]

~~Duplicate thread merged, please do not make multiple threads for the same or similar topic~~

[Natanloupan 11]

When you and your then-fiancée filled out an application for a marriage license in the Philippines, did the marriage license application form have tick boxes on it for "single," "divorced" "annulled," etc? If so, which box did your then-fiancée check?

There was no such boxes to check . It was all typed on the oldest typewriter I ever saw . The single status was typed due to her cenomar . She was told by NSO in her town to simply goto DFA and report the marriage and divorce and then NSO would update it to " single (divorced in usa) or something along those lines .

[Tahoma 2,292]

There was no such boxes to check . It was all typed on the oldest typewriter I ever saw . The single status was typed due to her cenomar . She was told by NSO in her town to simply goto DFA and report the marriage and divorce and then NSO would update it to " single (divorced in usa) or something along those lines .

What did the DFA say?

[Natanloupan 11]

What did the DFA say?

She did not goto DFA yet since it is in Davo about 8 hours away .

[NoOtherWoman 0]

Hello VJ! Im A Newbie here. I read lots of cases that uplifts my hope in the visa journey.

I had my interviewed last Jan.15. The consul asked me about if i know if my fiance has criminal case then i answered he doesnt have. then asked me again if sure then i answered yes no criminal case. Then the lady american consul said i cant decide as of today....

That gave me like a heart attack....

the person in the releasing window told me to wait two weeks if the visa will be issued. if not il have to call thwm to follow-up.

As per checking visa status at ceac website. its already "Ready" Status then theres saying check after two days. which comes weekend and a Martin luther monday so the embassy is closed.

Im still hoping the visa status will say "Issued" tom which is the 2nd day basing on business days....

anyone here experienced this kind?

[Natanloupan 11]

Hello VJ! Im A Newbie here. I read lots of cases that uplifts my hope in the visa journey.

I had my interviewed last Jan.15. The consul asked me about if i know if my fiance has criminal case then i answered he doesnt have. then asked me again if sure then i answered yes no criminal case. Then the lady american consul said i cant decide as of today....

That gave me like a heart attack....

the person in the releasing window told me to wait two weeks if the visa will be issued. if not il have to call thwm to follow-up.

As per checking visa status at ceac website. its already "Ready" Status then theres saying check after two days. which comes weekend and a Martin luther monday so the embassy is closed.

Im still hoping the visa status will say "Issued" tom which is the 2nd day basing on business days....

anyone here experienced this kind?

You are new , so I will excuse this . However in the future make your own posting . I am trying to get answers for my questions and yours will just confuse it further .

[NoOtherWoman 0]

You are new , so I will excuse this . However in the future make your own posting . I am trying to get answers for my questions and yours will just confuse it further .

Oh Sorry for that Tandag1025 didnt notice the topic.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Oh Sorry for that Tandag1025 didnt notice the topic.

From the topic list page at the upper right there is a button to start a new topic, good way to get answers to your questions.