Anybody else have this happen?

[SeanWood 0]

So my wife and I went to the US Embassy on Thursday 15th sept 2011, I am a US citizen and my wife is UK. We have been doing everything via the I-130 through California, and then they ship the info to NVC in New Hampshire then on to London. So my wife comes out of the interview completely in shock. She got to the first window where the person took finger prints, and then mentioned something about "you dont have a marriage certificate". The next thing he said was "thats ok, when do you plan on going over to the states" my wife then said "as soon as possible" and in return he said "thats good".Then gave her a pink form (this was to fill in ,for the courier),and told to go back to the waiting room for her number to be called again.

So 45mins later she was called to the next window where the interviewer did the normal questions of "how did you meet" etc. However, once that part of the questioning was done the interviewer then stated that my wife didnt have a marriage certificate of her previous marriage from 1980 (we had the divorce decree, and the NVC never mentioned to us that we were missing anything in the letter that they had sent through stating what documents were needed for the interview). So my wife was handed a blue piece of paper that says at "This office regrets to inform you that your visa application has been refused under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 221(g) prohibits the issuance of a visa to anyone whose application does not comply with the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act or related regulations" the check box below states "You may be able to overcome a Section 221(g) refusal by submitting additional evidence to this office. If your application was based on a petition"

So can anybody tell us from this point forward once the courier service picks the "certified copy" of the marriage certificate on Monday how long will it take the Embassy to see it and will that mean my wife will get her visa? And roughly how long will this process be? Has anybody else gone through with sending the info to NVC and they drop the ball on not telling us that we were missing stuff (they had sent an email prior stating we needed the divorce decree which we submitted).

Many thanks in advance to everybody and good luck as well

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

They tell you on the website to review this list of documents http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html

See this in the list:

Marriage Certificates: Married applicants must obtain an original marriage certificate, or a certified copy, bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority. A certificate is required for all marriages, including those that were dissolved.

Divorce Decree or Death Certificate: Applicants who have previously been married should be prepared to submit evidence of the termination of the marriage (i.e. divorce decree or death certificate). Original documents or certified copies are acceptable.

They will issue the visa once they have everything needed to approve.

[SeanWood 0]

Thanks for the help.....we did read that but to us it was very vague on which marriage they were trying to get. Any idea on the time frame from this point? Spoke with courier and the embassy and both have said roughly 7 to 10 days but have noticed that for some its been shorter. The document is being picked up on Monday and delivered to Embassy on Tuesday, will it just be a matter of them saying "thanks for getting it to us" and then send the visa packet out that day or will there be an addition wait time for them to process it all again?

[JoannaV 174]

Agree they could word that section of the document list a little better. Anyway, no use crying over split milk.

The answer they gave you of 7-10 days is really the best answer you're going to get. Sure it's possible that they look at the marriage certificate the day they receive it and immediately issue the visa, but you don't want to book a plane ticket assuming that will take place! More likely it will take a few days. Assume you're in the same position as someone who is approved at interview: sometimes they issue the visa the following day and give it to the courier, other times it takes them several days to issue the visa. There's no way to know what they'll do.

[cathy2904 97]

I'm glad I saw this. I don't have the marriage certificate from my previous marriage - I had to surrender it as part of the divorce process. I will order a copy today! Fortunately (in this respect at least) I am looking at a November interview date so I have some time. I am very sorry for your disappointment and I hope it is resolved very quickly.

[Allie and Nigel 2]

I believe when we had to re-send some stuff to them buggers in London it took about 14 days for them to process it and do their normal business. Wasnt that bad, I suppose it depends on how big of fire they have under them...hehe...

Edited September 19, 2011 by Allie and Nigel

[SeanWood 0]

Thanks to everybody for their input....Got a call from my wife this morning (3 a.m. U.S time) the VISA packet was delivered via courier from the Embassy.

Flight has been booked for this Wednesday!!!!

Good luck to everybody in their "Journey"