AlaMike

13 minutes ago, txdoc said:

Did you also have to send your original passport/naturalization certificate??

You do not send ANY originals other than photos. Just copies. Originals are only needed during the interview.

41 minutes ago, Wierobles said:

Hi!

 

I am in a dilemma whether to update my record in my home country- from single to married or not.

 

I read a few articles that if I want to use my husband’s name in my passport, then I should report my marriage here in the US in a Philippine Consulate. The thing is I have no plans of renewing my passport and just wait for my naturalization and apply for US passport.

 

Now, I need to execute a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) in the Philippines. I am single in the Philippines since I have not updated/reported my marriage. I will have the SPA notarized and request for apostille here in the US. Should I be using my maiden name in the SPA since the SPA will be used in the Philippines? 
 

I would highly appreciate any response.

 

Thank you.

 

Wiena

Visit this site. It has all the information needed to report your marriage.

https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/consular-services-2/civil-reg1stry-2/report-of-marriage-of-a-filipino-abroad

3 minutes ago, HulkySun said:

Wow sauce!  So guessing any Federal check would be fine?   Any good online recommend? 

Its really amazing as they know this was done already.  I told her just give a copy of the I-797 approval as that is the deepest background there pretty much is.

 

thanks for your reply

I use Yale Associates (800-532-5772) and PSI (706-235-7574). Both are done online without fingerprint cards.

I work for a security company, so we have them for all employees. Made it easy for me to get one for myself.

There seems to be no consistency as to what the CFO wants. Some have asked for the same documents they have requested from you and on others they don't ask for anything. The problem comes in that you bring what they ask for and then they ask for more when you are at the interview.

I sent copies of power bills, my last couple of pay stubs, an affidavit showing she would have insurance after arrival along with background check.

As for criminal background checks for the CFO, there are several agencies that do it for a fee. You may be able to get one from your local police department. 

Hey guys. I also read where the DS5507 needed to be signed in front of consular officer.

I called the Embassy and they assured me that having all papers notarized in the US by any State appointed notary.

I had all mine done by my bank manager.  I had no issues with that resolution.

Great news for you guys. Happy to see things going good.

I thought I had a lot of issues... but you got me beat by a mile.

I was never fully relaxed until I saw both coming from immigration in the airport.

5 hours ago, Trompie said:

For example, do you mean send her the original W2 and expired driver's license to show at the in-person interview, then a photocopy of these (not notarized) which will be sent by mail to the embassy?

 

My situation is slightly different, my fiance will be doing an in-person interview at the Cebu branch of the Embassy, so she will not be mailing any documents. However, the Cebu Embassy agency will send documents to the main Embassy in Manila.

 

Thanks

Not sure about the interviews in Cebu.

I simply followed the instructions on the CRBA website as to what was needed. 

Also have a look at this site. CRBA - Visa Connection Philippines it contains a step by step guide on what to do and what paperwork to provide.

All papers that were required to be notarized were the originals, copies were of the originals, which had the notarization on them.

For us, the paperwork (all copies) were shipped from her to the US Embassy, they notified us by email of the appointment date. She then took the exact paperwork (Originals) for the in person appointment. 

21 minutes ago, Trompie said:

No, my understanding is the DS-11 can be completed by your partner in the Philippines. It seems like it can't be done electronically so she will have to print it out and fill out in ink.

 

The DS-3353 is the one you must fill out and notarize.  It basically is the consent form to accompany the DS-11.

 

For the DS-11, she might even be able to fill it out at the Embassy when she has her appointment. I'm not sure if you are supposed to leave the social security number blank as the child obviously doesn't have one.

The DS-11 is filled out by the "non applying" parent. I filled it out and had it notarized (with all other documents) by my bank manager. 

Make 2 or more copies of everything. Keep a copy of EVERYTHING no matter.

I sent the original and 1 copy of all the papers to my fiancé in the Philippines, where she included all photos, Certified copy of PSA Birth Certificate and mailed COPIES ONLY to the Embassy.

She will need to take the originals with her to the interview. 

***UPDATE***

Finally!!! The light at the end of the tunnel was not a train.

Both made it thru the airport in Manila. No issues with anything, just paid the exit tax and jumped on the plane. She had installed the Traze contact tracing but it was not checked at all.

They arrived in San Francisco, again no issues with immigration. They only asked when and where we planned to get married, then said "welcome to the US".

I met them just outside the exit door. Then it was a turnaround flight to Birmingham.

Thank you all for information, guidance and encouragement. This was definitely been a "journey", with all the delays and covid issues.

No to get settled, and head into the next phase of this journey.   

Only if they travel with them, and have visa

Morente stressed that the arriving spouse and minor children of Filipinos should be traveling with them and should apply for an entry visa before coming to the Philippines.

I was aware that my fiance would have to pay the exit tax. But will she have to pay for our son also? 

Dual passports and 7 months old. 

2 hours ago, Trompie said:

How did you send the documents to the Philippines? I'm planning to send my tax returns and it is a really heavy pile of paperwork. I have used DHL before but those manila envelopes can only hold a few pages and are about $80 to send each time.

 

Also, did you just photocopy each page of your passport and have the notary stamp and sign the first page (information page of passport)?

 

Thanks

I sent all paperwork via DHL. You are able to track the shipment from end to end, they do not use 3rd party carriers. Not sure about others but I guessed it was not the time to worry about a few dollars.

Yes, copied each page of my passport and had each page notarized, as they requested.

Also, if you are not going to be present be sure to include DS3053 which gives your consent to release the passport to the mother. I forgot this and it cost me about 3 week delay in getting passport.

10 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Exactly as it sounds.   A number to hold a "place" until the actual number is issued. 

Thanks, just never heard of it. At least if things don't go as planned, there are options.

2 hours ago, payxibka said:

I gave BCBS a placeholder,

Might I ask, what is a "placeholder"

2) For those that have done the CFO during the pandemic, how long did it take to receive the certificate from the date you sent the documents to them.  We have already done the CFO by phone, sent all the documents via email, but will have to send a copy of the new passport and visa to them.  From the point on sending, how many days did it take to receive the documents you needed?  

Temporary CFO certificate was emailed the next day, the permanent was to be mailed. We were told to use this for leaving if the original has not arrived.

Hope you get new passport and documents soon. Good luck

Fiance and son are leaving Manila on Saturday, I hope all goes as smooth.

On 1/14/2021 at 11:05 AM, Mike209 said:

Hello I was just wondering if anybody knew if philippine airlines was doing outgoing travel to the US?

I booked a flight with Phil Air for my fiance and son to San Francisco on the 23rd. Just keeping my fingers crossed for an easy exit.

4 minutes ago, seekingthetruth said:

Congrats!

What did she end up doing to finalize CFO in her passport?  Is it different now due to Covid?

It was a little confusing, but we were able to talk to her original counselor. She simply sent a link to start her registration and it showed she had already taken the class. Everything is online, no in person classes. 

We had previously paid for the counseling but there are added charges "160pps" for delivery of her CFO stamp. and you cannot pay online.

They also send a certification letter to use if the flight leaves before the actual stamp arrives.

Just log om to the cfo website. https://cfo.gov.ph/

You can only register during business hours because a counselor will contact you directly and you work with them thru the process.

6 minutes ago, ChrisT4R said:

Did you only send the DS-5507 or with the DS-2029?

Both of them. 

Follow Hanks info... CRBA - Visa Connection Philippines. 

He gives step by step on what to send.

28 minutes ago, ChrisT4R said:

Whose information goes on the DS-3053?

I should have noted... this is only needed if one parent is not going to be present. The non attending parent information

8 hours ago, Allovertheworld said:

I love a story with a happy ending

 

Congrats.........

Thanks, its been a long road just to get them both to the States. I will feel much more relaxed when we are sitting in the house in Alabama.

37 minutes ago, ChrisT4R said:

Did you have to bring all supporting documents with the application to have it notarized at your bank?

Yes, I brought everything in duplicate to have notarized, one to send to my fiance and one to keep in my files. My bank president was shocked that they needed so much notarized.

They say "only send copies", which I did but my fiance had to bring originals for the interview. 

Be sure and check and double check for ALL supporting documents as I missed sending the DS-3053, which gives my authorization to release his passport. 

***UPDATE***

Passport being shipped via 2GO today. Manila to Lipa City, hopefully it will be delivered today.

Then its a call to the CFO office. She already had counseling and paid the fee but we will see what they ask for other than the copy of the passport with visa stamp.

5 minutes ago, Adventine said:

 

Great news! You're almost at the finish line, although it is a shame that you can't come fetch her right now.

 

Don't forget that she needs to do the CFO counseling and get the CFO sticker on her passport before she leaves

She did counseling last year because her original interview was in March 2020. Once she gets her Visa in hand we will call CFO office to get the stamp or certification letter.