K1 Visa - Philippine cenomar and divorce Decree

[Allyna 1]

Just received my 1st packet from US embassy for my application of K-1 Visa yesterday. I feel so worried about one of my requirements that they asked me to submitt, the CeNoMar w/c stating of my singleness in the Philippines. I was married in Phils. but divorced in hong kong. The problem is, Philippine Government will not recognize my divorce so my record in NSO will still remain Married. But i also read that the US embassy will acknowledge my Divorced in Hong kong. I was so confused if there will be a conflict on my papers for this situation? Will my Divorced Certificate trumps my CeNoMar? Anybody here been through on this kind of problem in applying for K-1 Visa? I hope to hear some response! Thanks!

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to Phil. Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is country-specific~

[Cgooch 0]

I have the same situation

[Filipina warriors 2]

That's a tough situation.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just received my 1st packet from US embassy for my application of K-1 Visa yesterday. I feel so worried about one of my requirements that they asked me to submitt, the CeNoMar w/c stating of my singleness in the Philippines. I was married in Phils. but divorced in hong kong. The problem is, Philippine Government will not recognize my divorce so my record in NSO will still remain Married. But i also read that the US embassy will acknowledge my Divorced in Hong kong. I was so confused if there will be a conflict on my papers for this situation? Will my Divorced Certificate trumps my CeNoMar? Anybody here been through on this kind of problem in applying for K-1 Visa? I hope to hear some response! Thanks!

Yes your divorce decree "trumps" the CENOMAR/CEMAR. You still need the CENOMAR, but don't stress about it showing you as still married.

Who initiated the divorce in Hong Kong your spouse or you? If it was your spouse, you can get the divorce recognized in the Philippines, if you choose to so one day, but it is not necessary for the visa process.

[Allyna 1]

Tnx Hank! You make me feel relieve for your responsed about my case! I am the one who processed my divorce case in hk for the ground of "2 years separation" and my ex back in the Philippines sign the petition with no troubles. We both want to start a new life in separate ways and cut the marriage that been connected to us but applying for annullment in the Philippines will cause us big troubles in terms of money and lengnth of processing and still no assurance if they will grant you annullment or not... I really still don't understand why all over the world only Philippines has no divorce! This is crazy???

[EliYan 3]

We are having the same problem like yours. My fiance was divorced in japan twice. The first marriage was forwarded to NSO. Last year she filed a petition for her marriage contract to be amended or annotated and it was granted by the judge but unluckily, the stupid OSG filed a motion and until now we still haven't heard from them yet. We're so tired of waiting for nothing until I found this website. I have already sent I-129f last with week with the divorce docu from japan and everything. My question is.. will the divorce document koseki alone will suffice the requirement for k-1 even w/o the annotated marriage contract from the Phils?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

EliYan, on 13 Oct 2015 - 01:50 AM, said:

We are having the same problem like yours. My fiance was divorced in japan twice. The first marriage was forwarded to NSO. Last year she filed a petition for her marriage contract to be amended or annotated and it was granted by the judge but unluckily, the stupid OSG filed a motion and until now we still haven't heard from them yet. We're so tired of waiting for nothing until I found this website. I have already sent I-129f last with week with the divorce docu from japan and everything. My question is.. will the divorce document koseki alone will suffice the requirement for k-1 even w/o the annotated marriage contract from the Phils?

I believe your question has been answered by Hank. Please reread the OP's question and Hank's answer as it fits your case also.

[snow2470 2]

Just received my 1st packet from US embassy for my application of K-1 Visa yesterday. I feel so worried about one of my requirements that they asked me to submitt, the CeNoMar w/c stating of my singleness in the Philippines. I was married in Phils. but divorced in hong kong. The problem is, Philippine Government will not recognize my divorce so my record in NSO will still remain Married. But i also read that the US embassy will acknowledge my Divorced in Hong kong. I was so confused if there will be a conflict on my papers for this situation? Will my Divorced Certificate trumps my CeNoMar? Anybody here been through on this kind of problem in applying for K-1 Visa? I hope to hear some response! Thanks!

[snow2470 2]

Hello allyna, juat wanna ask, wer u able to obtain cenomar regardless of still being mRried in the philippines? Coz i also filed a divorce here in hk and i was also confused regarding the usem requiring for cenomar.. is ur k1 visa approved by now?

Yes your divorce decree "trumps" the CENOMAR/CEMAR. You still need the CENOMAR, but don't stress about it showing you as still married.

Who initiated the divorce in Hong Kong your spouse or you? If it was your spouse, you can get the divorce recognized in the Philippines, if you choose to so one day, but it is not necessary for the visa process.

[snow2470 2]

Hello hank! U said usem will trumps cenomar.. but still need to obtain one.. how was that possible? We are still married in the philippines regardless of of our divorce decree.. Nso will not issue cenomar to married citizen for it is a certificate of non marriage.. u know any way how to obtain cenomar? Tanx

[JE57 239]

Yes... if you are a from the Philippines and meet the requirements of the Hong Kong Gov.. to process a divorce in Hong Kong than you can get a divorce in Hong Kong and then use that divorce to process the application for a K-1 Visa. The divorce decree will be recognized by the USA. My wife did that and we know two other couples who also did the same thing.. Your status in the Philippines will remain married and technically speaking you and your future husband could be subject to prosecution in the Philippines. I think prosecution would be unlikely but a vengeful Ex-husband could try to make trouble for you. The other thing I wonder about and would caution you about is if you get your visa in the Philippines or get your Visa from Hong Kong Consulate and then visit the Philipines with the K-1 in your passport you could face some challenges with the CFO No CFO is required if you exit to the USA from overseas and don't return until you have AP or better yet GREEN CARD your green card trumps the need for a CFO. I defer to Hank should you have CFO concerns though.

[JE57 239]

As for the CENOMAR you don't get a CENOMAR you actually will be sent a CEMAR. (also note in my recollection that must be delivered directly to the consulate in HK) The US Gov. then pairs that with the HK divorce decree to make sure that you are now single in the eyes of the USA. There are agents in HK just downstairs from the Philippine consulate that will help process the request for the required documents. In addition the Philippine Consulate in HK is also familiar with this process and while perhaps not overly sympathetic they are not antagonistic either.

[EliYan 3]

Nso will issue you a cenomar with your ex's name on it. Usem will accept your cenomar but make sure to attach the copy of your foreign divorce. My fiancee had her interview last month and they accepted her cenomar with her ex' husband's name on it.

[snow2470 2]

As for the CENOMAR you don't get a CENOMAR you actually will be sent a CEMAR. (also note in my recollection that must be delivered directly to the consulate in HK) The US Gov. then pairs that with the HK divorce decree to make sure that you are now single in the eyes of the USA. There are agents in HK just downstairs from the Philippine consulate that will help process the request for the required documents. In addition the Philippine Consulate in HK is also familiar with this process and while perhaps not overly sympathetic they are not antagonistic either.