DCF for I-130 petition is currently lined up for review

[Haltom Family 40]

2 hours ago, lilpinay said:

tHello everyone, 

I hope anyone could answer my questions here. I am a filipina married to and American, we got married in the states on 2008, but I only stayed in the states for 3 years. My husband and I are living here in the Philippines for at least 6 years now, and we decided to go back to the US for good. We are planning to go DCF filling, maybe next month. I've been reading all you guys experiences and I am hoping we will get approved as fast as yours.

I have just few concerns. Even though we're married for almost 9 years now, I am still using my maiden name on my passport and my CENOMAR, but I used my married name for my NBI. I wonder if all of these different last names are fine? And I'm worried about me having an expired green card will affect my visa getting approve.

 

P.S. 

Did anyone of you submitted two CECOMAR? For you and your spouse? I read here once, that he got two cenomars for him and his wife, but I only got one for me, and it's in my maiden name, though it says I don't have a record of being married here, which I think it's normal because we got married in the states, not here.

 

Please if anyone could help me or even give me an advice. I would really appreciate it.

God bless us all, and I will be praying for you all also.

Thank you! 

Hi lilpinay,

 

Glad that you found us in this forum.    I can relate with your marital immigration status with USCIS and Homeland Security.  My husband and I got married in the USA however they failed to issued my green card after paying all the fees because of our failure to provide the affidavit of support.  Anyway, our DCF was already approved last March 2017.  Praise God. 

 

Regarding your concern:

• We are planning to go DCF filling, maybe next month:  This is the best option and highly applicable with your marital status and your spouse length of stay in the Philippines.  In addition, the standard length of processing for DCF (Direct Consular Filing) from the date of filling the application to receiving  the approved petition for spouse/s with MNL or CASE Number is 30 days only).  BUT, failure to provide all the needed documents to support the application for I-130 or Petition for Alien Relative on the part of the petitioner and applicants, will result for the processing and approval prolonged.  BUT, Most of the DCF filers here that I knew received their approval less than or within 30 days of standard processing

 

• I have just few concerns. Even though we're married for almost 9 years now, I am still using my maiden name on my passport and my CENOMAR, but I used my married name for my NBI. Haven't you guys report your marriage and courier  a copy of  your marriage certificate to the Embassy of the Philippines or Consulate assigned in the State you previously resided?  Because if you did, you will be able to request a copy of your report of marriage to the National Statistic Office (NSO).   But my suggestion is this, even if your passport isn't yet expired, request a change of name Due to Marriage. Then wait for the release of new passport with changed Surname or Last Name.   On the date of your DCF Filing, make sure to attached a photocopy of your Marriage Certificate issued in the State/County/City your marriage took place in the USA, and BRING THE ORIGINAL copy of your Marriage Certificate and if your still have the copy of your Marriage License Certificate, photocopy it and attached it with your application.  Present the Original if in case the USCIS personnel will look for it.  I am glad that you got your NBI Clearance with your married name printed on it.

 

• I wonder if all of these different last names are fine? And I'm worried about me having an expired green card will affect my visa getting approve.  Different last names aren't fine.  It will possibly cause confusion with your DCF petition/application.  If you will consider our suggestion, it is more easier to wait changing your passport last name than facing administrative processing or going back and forth with USCIS Manila due to compliance.   Regarding your green card, in my opinion I don't think it will lead to a  big issue.   They might possibly asked it during your filing, but as long you will provide a brief and truthful answer with supporting documents, and right fees they will surely acknowledge and accept your application.  Technically and lawfully your marital status with US Citizen and your spouse more than 6 months residence here in the Philippines make you all eligible to use DCF for your I-130 petition.  In my opinion and experiences with DCF and USCIS. 

 

• P.S. Did anyone of you submitted two CECOMAR? For you and your spouse? I read here once, that he got two cenomars for him and his wife, but I only got one for me, and it's in my maiden name, though it says I don't have a record of being married here, which I think it's normal because we got married in the states, not here.  In what we comprehend in I-130 through DCF and what we submitted on the day of filing,  your petitioner which is your spouse needs to provide a documents proving his family relationship with you, or your relationship with the petitioner.  The petitioner  have to prove that there is a family relationship between you and the beneficiary*** Cited from: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-130instr.pdf

***the petitioner are required to provide a copy of your marriage certificate proving the lawful existence of your marriage and your family relationship as your petitioner's spouse.  Certificate of No Marriage Record or CENOMAR will not support a lawful proof of your family relationship with your spouse/ petitioner or vice versa but will provide a lawful proof (if incase you will submit CENOMAR for your self) that the applicant is having a proof of no marriage record or simply as its name implies. 

 

Hope these will help you lilpinay in your I-130 through DCF journey. 

 

By the way, if you will request a change of last name due to marriage with DFA, make sure to bring the following:

For women who would change their civil status from single to married, please bring copy of your marriage certificate issued in the USA.

 

• Report of Marriage duly authenticated by PSA if married abroad (can rquest from NSO if you report your marriage to the Philippine Consulate with a jurisdiction in the States your marriage took place. 
• Original and photocopy of Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Certificate of Attendance (required for women with foreign national husband).

Passport renewal and change of last name can be accommodate and accepted ASAP by the DFA Consulate if your situation are needing an immediate attention.  Only the release and printing will be processed in their standard time frame 

 

Let us know if you need more further assistance.  Most of the members in this forum already received an approved I-130 petitions.   God bless you. 

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2017 by Haltom Family

[Haltom Family 40]

On ‎4‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 6:52 PM, Palawan1 said:

My wife had her medical on Wednesday & Thursday this past week. But she will have to go back May 2-4 for sputum testing. Praying that the testing will be negative.

Hi Palawan, good day.  Looking forward that the sputum testing turned negative.  How's your wife doing and her medical results?

 

 

[Haltom Family 40]

On ‎5‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 10:47 AM, verwen said:

We used FedEx, figure philpost would take a while. The RFE letter from embassy was postmarked on March 13th but we didn't get it till first of May.

Are you all done with Medical and Interview?

[lilpinay 59]

Thank you so much for your reply,  I guess we didn't register our marriage to Philippine consulate, because our marriage was not at the NSO when I got my CENOMAR today. It says I didn't have a record of being married. I only have our marriage certificate with me and the CFO certificate I had back in 2008. I made a mistake of renewing my passport with my maiden name a year ago, and it still valid right now, though I think I will follow your suggestion to have it change before we file the I-130 to avoid more delay.

 

Thank you so much for everything, and let's continue praying for each other. God bless!

[Haltom Family 40]

6 minutes ago, lilpinay said:

Thank you so much for your reply,  I guess we didn't register our marriage to Philippine consulate, because our marriage was not at the NSO when I got my CENOMAR today. It says I didn't have a record of being married. I only have our marriage certificate with me and the CFO certificate I had back in 2008. I made a mistake of renewing my passport with my maiden name a year ago, and it still valid right now, though I think I will follow your suggestion to have it change before we file the I-130 to avoid more delay.

 

Thank you so much for everything, and let's continue praying for each other. God bless!

You're welcome and thank you too for sharing your experiences and status with US immigration.  By the way, if incase you find it hard to change your last name with DFA because of the absence of the Report of Marriage coming from the NSO...you may want to consider going to DFA Consulate and present your case.   They are just located inside the DFA Oceana...same building.  They are kind people and easy to talk with.  The approval from their manager only took us minutes presenting some emergency situation in renewing my passport.  So, its a case to case basis but they are willing to assist.  God bless you.  Keep us updated with your process.  Praying with you.

Edited May 17, 2017 by Haltom Family

[lilpinay 59]

Is that in Manila? We are currently residing in Cebu right now, and I was thinking of going to the DFA here, because this is where I had my passport renewed. 

 

Thank you and God bless!

[Alp 0]

On 5/11/2017 at 10:58 AM, verwen said:

Not yet, waiting for the cosponsors affidavit of support to get here.

Have you received your case number with your approval? I filed dcf last april 6 and received email approval Ir2 for my kids may 11 but I havent received my case number yet...

[verwen 33]

6 hours ago, Alp said:

Have you received your case number with your approval? I filed dcf last april 6 and received email approval Ir2 for my kids may 11 but I havent received my case number yet...

Yes, we got the case numbers 4 days after the approval.

[Palawan1 11]

11 hours ago, Haltom Family said:

Hi Palawan, good day.  Looking forward that the sputum testing turned negative.  How's your wife doing and her medical results?

 

 

My wife's doing great. Initial testing was negative. We are confident that her sputum results will be negative in early July. We have a 2.5 month old daughter that is doing really well. Still waiting on PSA (May 29) to complete her official birth certificate so we can file for CRBA & US passport as soon as possible. Will you commute back and forth from home for your medical or will you stay at local hotel? Hopefully they can do your medical in 1 day.

[Haltom Family 40]

Palawan, its good to hear that everything are moving forward with your family's documentation and medical exam. We are going to stay in a nearby hotel to be there early.  Currently looking for a hotel that will be good to stay both for medical and interview with the consul.   

[Haltom Family 40]

On 5/18/2017 at 1:09 AM, lilpinay said:

Is that in Manila? We are currently residing in Cebu right now, and I was thinking of going to the DFA here, because this is where I had my passport renewed. 

 

Thank you and God bless!

Hi lilpinay.  I was referring to DFA Oceana (Pasay). 

[Haltom Family 40]

On 5/18/2017 at 4:21 AM, Alp said:

Have you received your case number with your approval? I filed dcf last april 6 and received email approval Ir2 for my kids may 11 but I havent received my case number yet...

Hi Alp, have you tried inquiring with USCIS Manila?

[Alp 0]

6 hours ago, Haltom Family said:

Hi Alp, have you tried inquiring with USCIS Manila?

I tried emailing IVManilaReplies@state.gov for our manila case number but they emailed me back by asking me for a 10-digit case number or the 13-character U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receipt number. which i dont know i have because i filed dcf . I did emphasize in my email that its DCF.  Does it take longer for Ir2 to get their Manila case number?  Its been 9 days no case number yet..

[Alp 0]

Guys I have a question.. do I need to have original signed I864 and I864a for each of my children they are all principal applicant Ir2 but they have the same time of interview date..thanks

[Haltom Family 40]

On 5/25/2017 at 8:42 PM, Alp said:

Guys I have a question.. do I need to have original signed I864 and I864a for each of my children they are all principal applicant Ir2 but they have the same time of interview date..thanks

Hi Alp, 

 

Good day.  Hope you already received the answer to your inquiry. We are only dealing with one principal applicant so technically we aren't experience on that matter to answer yours.