Marriage Certificate issued by the PSA/CENOMAR Question.

[TerrySF 8]

Hello, 

 

We finally received our letter informing us my wife is ready to schedule her interview. We received a list of items we need to bring or submit at the time of the interview but have some questions regarding a "Marriage Certificate issued by the PSA". We do not have that as we didn't get married in the Philippines (We went the online Utah path during Covid). Based on the checkmark in the email, it appears she will need it at the time of the interview. Does anyone know what can we do in order to get this document? In regards to the other document (CENOMAR), looks relatively easy to get but do we need it at the time of the interview too? Thanks!

 

☒ Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 

☒ Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) or Advisory on Marriages issued by the Philippine

     Statistics Authority (PSA) within the past 12 months for married applicants and unmarried

     applicants at least 18 years old and above.  The document must include all the names you have  

     used (alias or A.K.A / “also known as”)

[top_secret 2,414]

That is only applicable if you were married in the Philippines.  Since you are married in Utah you need the certified Utah Marriage Certificate.  She DOES DEFINITELY need either a CENOMAR or an Advisory on Marriages.  She needs to order a CENOMAR from PSA and whichever document she receives from PSA the embassy wants to see it.  You can order one online if she doesn't already have one. https://psaserbilis.com.ph/

[TerrySF 8]

Thank you! So, she can make the appointment with all the other required docs +CENOMAR?

Do you we ever need any docs from PSA/ROM? What would be the purpose of these?

[top_secret 2,414]

8 minutes ago, TerrySF said:

Thank you! So, she can make the appointment with all the other required docs +CENOMAR?

Do you we ever need any docs from PSA/ROM? What would be the purpose of these?

 

 

A ROM is not required at all by the embassy for US Immigration purposes.  She doesn't need it. The Philippine government would require one for her to change to your name in her passport but if you are already at the scheduling interview stage then her passport has whatever name it has. It's expensive and time consuming for her to change her name after she gets to the US.   Before she leaves the Philippines CFO will give her a hard time and hassle her if she doesn't have a ROM but they still have to let her go. 

[top_secret 2,414]

31 minutes ago, TerrySF said:

Thank you! So, she can make the appointment with all the other required docs +CENOMAR?

Do you we ever need any docs from PSA/ROM? What would be the purpose of these?

 

 

Basically she should have all the docs you submitted to NVC plus the CENOMAR or Advisory on Marriages.   If her NBI Clearance expired (over 1 year old) she needs to update that.  The NBI Clearance needs to include your surname as either "Husbands Name" OR as an AKA.  Your name has to be on the NBI Clearance somehow.  Even if she never used your name.  Upload any new or updated documents to CEAC.  NVC won't review them again but the embassy wants all the documents uploaded.

Edited October 3 by top_secret

[TerrySF 8]

Oh wow, so this whole thing is only needed if she wants to change her name? We're ready to make her appointment just found out about this extra step. Looks like we can schedule the appointment and file for ROM too. Hopefully, she'll be able to come here (US) while the ROM is still processing (we read it takes about 6 months/1 year)!

[top_secret 2,414]

34 minutes ago, TerrySF said:

Oh wow, so this whole thing is only needed if she wants to change her name? We're ready to make her appointment just found out about this extra step. Looks like we can schedule the appointment and file for ROM too. Hopefully, she'll be able to come here (US) while the ROM is still processing (we read it takes about 6 months/1 year)!

 

The ROM is merely to satisfy Philippine laws.  It doesn't really have any relevance to the US or at the embassy.  It sounds like it is late in the game to accomplish any name change before the visa and green card are issued in her maiden name.  CFO will give her a hard time and hassle her if there is no ROM filed at all but it's not a showstopper.  If you have no objection to filing the ROM, file it now and you would probably have the consulate certified copy in time for CFO and that would be enough to make them happy.  Don't spend any time worrying about it as far as the embassy is concerned.

[TerrySF 8]

We just looked up CFO and see it's another requirement we weren't aware of  Apparently she would not be able to leave the Philippines without it and in order to to get it:

A. What are the requirements?

The following are the GCP primary requirements:

1. Barcoded Confirmation form of GCP Appointment
2. Original valid passport and additional two (2) valid IDs;
3. Original valid visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (for Canada-bound only);
4. Petitioner’s passport copy or one (1) valid ID; and
5. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Marriage certificate in security paper (if married in the Philippines);
6. Report of Marriage in Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) security paper (if married overseas)

[top_secret 2,414]

18 minutes ago, TerrySF said:

We just looked up CFO and see it's another requirement we weren't aware of  Apparently she would not be able to leave the Philippines without it and in order to to get it:

 

CFO will give her a hard time and hassle her if she hasn't filed a ROM.  However, they still have to let her leave.  If you filed a ROM now you would probably have the consulate certified copy back in 4-6 weeks and that would make CFO happy.

[TerrySF 8]

Thank you so much for your clarifications. They have been very helpful!