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Posted

Hoping for some input from those with experience in similar circumstances, or even just some general encouragement because I am falling apart over this right now. My husband mailed his divorce decree to me for me to take to my CR1 interview in Montreal, which is on18th. It never arrived, so we got another copy and paid for expedited air shipping and was guaranteed it would be here by today. I received a notification today that due to a "sorting error," it was sent to the wrong facility and has been delayed. I'm wondering if anyone else has experience of what to expect if I do not have the original divorce decree with me? I am so devastated that this happened when we have been working so hard to have everything ready for my interview. I know that it will likely create delays, but would love to get other's experiences of what happens when a document is missing so I know what to expect as my anxiety is in overdrive. I tried searching but found that many of the results were quite old. 

Thanks for reading! 

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
Posted (edited)

I think the likely scenario is that they just delay issuing the visa a short time until the original document is sent to them.  It is very common. I wouldn't over-stress.  I don't see a long delay.

 

Edited by Crazy Cat

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  • 1 year later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Does the Montreal embassy require an original divorce decree (of the Petitioner)? I only have a copy of my divorce decree (State of Georgia) since my first wife filed for divorce and she has the original. Would my copy of my divorce decree be sufficient?

Spouse/Wife (IR-1) - been married since 2020

Minor Stepchild (IR-2) - known the child since 2020

Both have their own case numbers

Applied around April 2023 (I-130s) - started this entire process

Uploaded docs to CEAC website around April 2024

Both were documentararily approved around August 2024

First interview date (Jan 29 25) scheduled for wife - notified around November 2024

Asked for NVC/Montreal to merge stepchild with wife's original interview date around November 2024

Emailed Congressman to help merge stepchild's interview date and successfully around December 2024

Montreal embassy cancelled/rescheduled a new interview date (Jan 14 2025) around Christmas week of December 2024

Emailed Montreal embassy to merge stepchild's old interview date (Jan 29) with wife;snew interview date around December 30 2024 - no response

Contacted Congressman (on Jan 9 2025) to help merge stepchild's old interview date with wife's new interview date (Jan 14) - successfully merged with spouse on 1/10/2025

Embassy interview for both spouse and child on Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:45 AM EST - Verbally approved and Child Visa ISSUED same day but wife's CEAC status is still READY.

Jan 15, 2025 - Checked at 7:45 AM EST, spouse's status still says READY but at 10:23 AM EST, shows ISSUED !!!

Purolator labels created on Jan 17 and expected arrival on Jan 20 for the passports and packages.

Posted
6 minutes ago, siamnet74 said:

Does the Montreal embassy require an original divorce decree (of the Petitioner)? I only have a copy of my divorce decree (State of Georgia) since my first wife filed for divorce and she has the original. Would my copy of my divorce decree be sufficient?

Is it an official copy from the court, or a photocopy you made?

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)
13 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Is it an official copy from the court, or a photocopy you made?

 

It's a copy that my ex-wife's attorney made and sent to me as a pdf. It's in color. 

According to the courthouse in the state (Georgia) that my divorce was finalized (2014), to get a certified copy, you have to come in person. Otherwise, they can email or mail you a regular copy of the divorce decree.

Edited by siamnet74

Spouse/Wife (IR-1) - been married since 2020

Minor Stepchild (IR-2) - known the child since 2020

Both have their own case numbers

Applied around April 2023 (I-130s) - started this entire process

Uploaded docs to CEAC website around April 2024

Both were documentararily approved around August 2024

First interview date (Jan 29 25) scheduled for wife - notified around November 2024

Asked for NVC/Montreal to merge stepchild with wife's original interview date around November 2024

Emailed Congressman to help merge stepchild's interview date and successfully around December 2024

Montreal embassy cancelled/rescheduled a new interview date (Jan 14 2025) around Christmas week of December 2024

Emailed Montreal embassy to merge stepchild's old interview date (Jan 29) with wife;snew interview date around December 30 2024 - no response

Contacted Congressman (on Jan 9 2025) to help merge stepchild's old interview date with wife's new interview date (Jan 14) - successfully merged with spouse on 1/10/2025

Embassy interview for both spouse and child on Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:45 AM EST - Verbally approved and Child Visa ISSUED same day but wife's CEAC status is still READY.

Jan 15, 2025 - Checked at 7:45 AM EST, spouse's status still says READY but at 10:23 AM EST, shows ISSUED !!!

Purolator labels created on Jan 17 and expected arrival on Jan 20 for the passports and packages.

Posted (edited)
14 minutes ago, siamnet74 said:

 

It's a copy that my ex-wife's attorney made and sent to me as a pdf. It's in color. 

According to the courthouse in the state (Georgia) that my divorce was finalized (2014), to get a certified copy, you have to come in person. Otherwise, they can email or mail you a regular copy of the divorce decree.

Yeah, I would get a certified copy.  

If you have to send it after the interview, Montreal is known to be incredibly slow to process any document sent later (6-8 weeks usually).  

 

See: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#pre_interview_checklist 

 

"If you were previously married or your petitioner was:  All original final divorce or spouse's death certificate(s)."

Edited by Lemonslice
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
7 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Yeah, I would get a certified copy.  

If you have to send it after the interview, Montreal is known to be incredibly slow to process any document sent later (6-8 weeks usually).  

 

See: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#pre_interview_checklist 

 

"If you were previously married or your petitioner was:  All original final divorce or spouse's death certificate(s)."

 

Yeah, I read that part about needing the "original" but I had less than a month to prepare since they moved up my wife's original interview date of Jan 29 to Jan 14. Then we had an issue trying to get them to merge my stepchild's interview with my wife...that's the only thing that is not original and I didn't think much about my divorce decree as not being certified or etc. 
I guess I'm keepign my fingers crossed since its' too late for me to go down to Georgia's courthouse to do so...I don't even know if my ex-wife is willing to do it or still has the original. I already messaged her.

Spouse/Wife (IR-1) - been married since 2020

Minor Stepchild (IR-2) - known the child since 2020

Both have their own case numbers

Applied around April 2023 (I-130s) - started this entire process

Uploaded docs to CEAC website around April 2024

Both were documentararily approved around August 2024

First interview date (Jan 29 25) scheduled for wife - notified around November 2024

Asked for NVC/Montreal to merge stepchild with wife's original interview date around November 2024

Emailed Congressman to help merge stepchild's interview date and successfully around December 2024

Montreal embassy cancelled/rescheduled a new interview date (Jan 14 2025) around Christmas week of December 2024

Emailed Montreal embassy to merge stepchild's old interview date (Jan 29) with wife;snew interview date around December 30 2024 - no response

Contacted Congressman (on Jan 9 2025) to help merge stepchild's old interview date with wife's new interview date (Jan 14) - successfully merged with spouse on 1/10/2025

Embassy interview for both spouse and child on Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:45 AM EST - Verbally approved and Child Visa ISSUED same day but wife's CEAC status is still READY.

Jan 15, 2025 - Checked at 7:45 AM EST, spouse's status still says READY but at 10:23 AM EST, shows ISSUED !!!

Purolator labels created on Jan 17 and expected arrival on Jan 20 for the passports and packages.

Posted
7 minutes ago, siamnet74 said:

 

Yeah, I read that part about needing the "original" but I had less than a month to prepare since they moved up my wife's original interview date of Jan 29 to Jan 14. Then we had an issue trying to get them to merge my stepchild's interview with my wife...that's the only thing that is not original and I didn't think much about my divorce decree as not being certified or etc. 
I guess I'm keepign my fingers crossed since its' too late for me to go down to Georgia's courthouse to do so...I don't even know if my ex-wife is willing to do it or still has the original. I already messaged her.

A certified copy from the court would work in lieu of the "original".   Just be aware that if you submit it after the interview, it is going to add a couple of months to the process (which might, or might not, be a big deal for your family). 

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
8 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

A certified copy from the court would work in lieu of the "original".   Just be aware that if you submit it after the interview, it is going to add a couple of months to the process (which might, or might not, be a big deal for your family). 

Well, if we request a new interview date, it's going to be nightmare since I had to contact my congressman's office twice to have Montreal merge our kid's interview with my wife's. I'm hoping to have the kid moved to the US to start a new school year (August). I don't mind a "couple" of months but not 6+ months to process (kid would miss a new school year).

Fingers crossed and appreciate your response.

Spouse/Wife (IR-1) - been married since 2020

Minor Stepchild (IR-2) - known the child since 2020

Both have their own case numbers

Applied around April 2023 (I-130s) - started this entire process

Uploaded docs to CEAC website around April 2024

Both were documentararily approved around August 2024

First interview date (Jan 29 25) scheduled for wife - notified around November 2024

Asked for NVC/Montreal to merge stepchild with wife's original interview date around November 2024

Emailed Congressman to help merge stepchild's interview date and successfully around December 2024

Montreal embassy cancelled/rescheduled a new interview date (Jan 14 2025) around Christmas week of December 2024

Emailed Montreal embassy to merge stepchild's old interview date (Jan 29) with wife;snew interview date around December 30 2024 - no response

Contacted Congressman (on Jan 9 2025) to help merge stepchild's old interview date with wife's new interview date (Jan 14) - successfully merged with spouse on 1/10/2025

Embassy interview for both spouse and child on Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:45 AM EST - Verbally approved and Child Visa ISSUED same day but wife's CEAC status is still READY.

Jan 15, 2025 - Checked at 7:45 AM EST, spouse's status still says READY but at 10:23 AM EST, shows ISSUED !!!

Purolator labels created on Jan 17 and expected arrival on Jan 20 for the passports and packages.

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

Quick update - My wife stated that the first officer asked for  it (original divorce decree) and she told that officer that she didn't have an original and explained why. My wife was sent to a second person who said that the stamped copy (not original) of my divorce decree was sufficient.

 

However, we shall see since my wife was verbally affirmed her IR1 today after the interview but CEAC status still says "Ready". Fingers crossed that they still don't need a certified copy of my divorce decree from Georgia.

Spouse/Wife (IR-1) - been married since 2020

Minor Stepchild (IR-2) - known the child since 2020

Both have their own case numbers

Applied around April 2023 (I-130s) - started this entire process

Uploaded docs to CEAC website around April 2024

Both were documentararily approved around August 2024

First interview date (Jan 29 25) scheduled for wife - notified around November 2024

Asked for NVC/Montreal to merge stepchild with wife's original interview date around November 2024

Emailed Congressman to help merge stepchild's interview date and successfully around December 2024

Montreal embassy cancelled/rescheduled a new interview date (Jan 14 2025) around Christmas week of December 2024

Emailed Montreal embassy to merge stepchild's old interview date (Jan 29) with wife;snew interview date around December 30 2024 - no response

Contacted Congressman (on Jan 9 2025) to help merge stepchild's old interview date with wife's new interview date (Jan 14) - successfully merged with spouse on 1/10/2025

Embassy interview for both spouse and child on Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:45 AM EST - Verbally approved and Child Visa ISSUED same day but wife's CEAC status is still READY.

Jan 15, 2025 - Checked at 7:45 AM EST, spouse's status still says READY but at 10:23 AM EST, shows ISSUED !!!

Purolator labels created on Jan 17 and expected arrival on Jan 20 for the passports and packages.

 
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