TerrySF

Wonderful, thank you one more time!

That's wonderful news!! We are in the process of getting all the docs to file ROM in SF (where I happen to live). Since you appear to know a lot about this whole process, would you know what to do for section 20 of the ROM form where it requires a notarized signature of the husband and wife? There's space for one notary's signature and stamp. Should it be notarized and stamped by a notary in the Philippines and another one here in the US? (since we're not in the same location). Cheers!

We're getting so close to the end of this thing and thought we were done with any questions. Unfortunately, there's a new one (We looked online and cannot find an answer). We have the medical, biometrics and interview set up for December, which is awesome. However, we totally missed doing the ROM after we got married (Utah online during the pandemic). It looks like it's not a huge issue but, we also found out my wife will need a CFO sticker/certificate once she has a visa in order to be able to leave the country. When we went to the website for this service (https://cfo.gov.ph/), we see on the list of requested documents that they need a "Report of Marriage in Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) security paper (if married overseas)". I see that if I file for the ROM in San Francisco now it might take between 6 months and a year to get the certificate. Does anyone know if we'd be able to get a CFO counseling appointment and sticker if we don't have filed ROM or if it's being processed? Thanks for any assistance with this!! 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)

Makes sense and it also helps clarifying some reports I read in the past about the US spouse being there physically during the interview

Thanks! We definitely have everything on CEAC and now we'll just update some of the docs from 2022/23. And thanks for clarifying I (US spouse) won't be able to be there with her!

Oh yes, we didn't think about that one. Just checked and it expired on 7/24. We'll get a new one!

We are reaching the end of this long journey! Medical at St. Luke's is scheduled for 12/5, followed by biometrics appointment near MOA on 12/20 and the interview on 12/23 (3 days after I land in Manila for Xmas). I'm double checking we have everything set up and ready and I noticed on the CEAC site that the financial documents uploaded are from 2023 (Federal Income Tax Statements, W2 and tax statements, and her police/NBI clearance certificate). Should we update these docs with the most recent ones we have? There's no mention of this anywhere on the USCIS emails or websites. Also, we read that for the interview, no cellphones are allowed into the embassy. We definitely need to have our cells before and after the interview to order a Grab back to the hotel. Is there a place where we can safely store our cells at the embassy or nearby? Thanks!

Thank you!

Hello, I have another quick questions regarding our pre-interview checklist. We are reviewing her DS-260 and noticed her parent's details should be updated but we're unable to do so. There's no edit option for any of the sections. Does anyone know what we should do. Her parents are no longer alive but they were at the time of filing the form a few years ago. Thanks!

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

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)

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)!

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?

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”)

Thanks for your message. I guess it helps a bit knowing we're not the only ones experiencing this!

The last notification we received was NOA2 in September: "All required applicant documents have been received and approved 12-SEP-2023". Based on timelines in Manila we expected my wife to get an appointment for her interview around mid-January but we still haven't gotten any news. We also do not see any updated timelines from Manila. Does anyone know if there's a delay for that embassy currently and if there's a way we can estimate when her interview will take place? Thanks! T&M