Of CFOs, Names and CEMARs

[MrsBrokenshoelace 1]

Hi All,

Have a couple questions, one is sorta visa related, the other not so much (Just hoping that maybe someone out there has had experience/can shed some light)!

I am a British-Filipino gal, recently tied the knot to a USC. We are slowly working our way toward filing for a DCF, but in no real rush: Just would like to get our ducks in line before all the madness. I have been trawling through various threads, reading about all of your experiences and discovered parts of the visa process I never knew exsisted!

My first question is about my Filipino passport and CFO. While I primarily use my British citizenship and have little intention of having to deal with the DFA and name changes right now, will I still need to go through all the CFO drama for my Philippine passport in order to make changes down the track?

I understand that I do not need it to reflect my married name if I so wish, but am unsure about the inconsistency of my name on official Philippine documents. Prior to obtaining my Filipino citizenship, I had always gone by my two 'given' names and surname (N.J.R.) but they insisted on adding my mothers maiden name to the mix when my citizenship was finally recognized (N.J.M.R). Of course, this now changes with marriage (With the M being dropped, making me now N.J.R.W. in the system)..does any of this matter at all?

Second question is about CEMARs. My British passport is due for a renewal later this year, but I plan on travelling in the next couple months so hope to get that out of the way as soon as possible. In this case I would actually like to have my married name reflect on my new passport, and have seen that it only requires a submission of my Marriage Certificate. Only hurdle there is, I only have the copy issued by the Civil Registrar who told me in March that it could take around 6 months to get an CEMAR issued by NSO. I know we live in Batangas, but can it REALLY take that long?! In the case of official documentation (Like passport renewals), would an NSO issued copy be more desirable over the original Civil Registrar copy? Is there any real difference between the two a part from the dodgy looking photocopy on 'official' yellow paper?

Thanks in advance for any of your replies.

[Hank_ 9,174]

You have British citizenship? Do the DCF visa process using your British citizenship/passport, just because you are in the Philippines does not mean you have to use a Philippine passport ... just saying. Also British passport = no CFO.

For renewing your British passport I don't think you need a CEMAR as long as you have a copy of your marriage certificate (as that is what they request) all should be fine. The NSO CEMAR and CFO is a Philippines requirement with DFA for the Philippine passport in your married name.

I

[MrsBrokenshoelace 1]

You have British citizenship? Do the DCF visa process using your British citizenship/passport, just because you are in the Philippines does not mean you have to use a Philippine passport ... just saying. Also British passport = no CFO.

For renewing your British passport I don't think you need a CEMAR as long as you have a copy of your marriage certificate (as that is what they request) all should be fine. The NSO CEMAR and CFO is a Philippines requirement with DFA for the Philippine passport in your married name.

I

Thanks much!

Yep had always planned to use my British citizenship/passport for visa work, was just curious (For both my sister and I, she also happens to be married to a USC and has lived in AZ for some time now) if not having a CFO turns into a nightmare if we chose to use our married names down the track when applying for renewals for our Philippine passports when overseas. Knowing how Philippine Bureaucratics work, it probably will be a pain..and I probably wouldn't bother.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks much!

Yep had always planned to use my British citizenship/passport for visa work, was just curious (For both my sister and I, she also happens to be married to a USC and has lived in AZ for some time now) if not having a CFO turns into a nightmare if we chose to use our married names down the track when applying for renewals for our Philippine passports when overseas. Knowing how Philippine Bureaucratics work, it probably will be a pain..and I probably wouldn't bother.

Renewing your Philippines passport in your married name in the USA doesn't require CFO, but being you were married in the Philippines they will want the NSO marriage certificate and they will want your name in the traditional Philippine format