ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesUNUSUAL PROBLEM - HELP
I would attempt to get a CRBA. The information on http://manila.usemba...itizenship.html does say that it must be the biological parent, however given your situation I would make an appointment to go to the embassy and discuss it with them. It's best if it's the father goes but based on what the website says it's not mandatory. I would give that a shot and worst case explain it to them and see what they say.

If they don't give the CRBA then you would still need to go for the visa. Given the current Philippine passport it shouldn't be an issue.

If they are not given the CRBA and a US passport, the biological father doesn't really need to be involved. My stepson, now adopted son, came to the US without anything being done by his biological father whose name was on the BC... In the Philippines the mother has a pretty solid claim on the kids.

Edited by Grant PDX, 11 June 2012 - 10:25 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-06-11 22:22:00
PhilippinesCan someone suggest a good US cellphone plan to call and text to Philippines?
I am using or have looked at the following:
My girlfriend has internet in her home, so I sent her a Magicjack Plus. Up front cost was $70, I will pay $20 per year and can call her at any time, as if it was a local call. She can also call me, other friends in the US, or other family members in the Philippines who also have a Magicjack for unlimited minutes, total cost $20 per year. I set it up in the US before sending it, so it has a number that is local for me. She can call me anytime on any of my numbers, I can call her anytime from any number in the area.

I have Vonage for my home phone service. Prior to the Magicjack I was using my cell phone with Vonage's Extension on my smart phone (any cell service works) and pay Vonage $0.09 per minute to use their service.

Finally, when I must call direct from my cell phone, I use AT&T. When I set up my phone service I looked around. Granted it has been a couple of years, but paying AT&T for their international plan ($3.99 per month) I could call from my cell to the Philippines for $0.23 or $0.29 per minute, depending on if it is a landline or cellphone there that you call to. When I was looking, the equivalent from Verizon was $0.49 per minute. Actually as of last fall it was still $0.49 per minute on Verizon.

Hope it helps.

Edited by Grant PDX, 03 July 2012 - 12:55 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-07-03 12:49:00
PhilippinesVisa in Hand
Congratulations! Fast, excellent
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-07-14 10:18:00
PhilippinesJob in Philippines
Having working in the Philippines and employeed a number of contract workers, the norm is a 6 month contract. The 6 month contract can then be renewed 3 more times, up to 2 years total. I don't believe I've ever heard of anyone being jailed. The preference is that the employee work the full 6 months, but there are times that's not possible. Some contracts may go longer, but all I've ever seen are 6 months.

However, if she tells them during the interview that she won't work a full 6 months (and 6 months should be easily doable in your timeframe) or that she would ONLY work 6 months it will make it more difficult to get the job. I would recommend she avoid any discussion of the visa application. If she does leave early, she won't go to jail, but it could leave an unhappy employer.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-08-01 13:30:00
PhilippinesBest time to book a flight
I've always had good success booking early if I can. I booked my flight 2+ months ago for a trip in 2 weeks. My price from Portland to Manila was $914. I just checked Orbitz now and it's $1,350. asaptickets.com is $1,250, I just called them. I bought on Orbitz.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, things can vary so widely. But for me, I've always bought early and then watched prices and have never really seen prices go down, but I do look in advance for a couple of weeks and try to gauge it. I look at multiple websites, then when I see a good price I jump on it.

By the way, the Reliable Travel thing? I look at those prices and they seem pretty awesome. I didn't call them to confirm anything, but the pricing is very attractive. I may use them for vacations or if I bring someone to the US eventually.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-08-05 10:53:00
Philippinesout of status in K1 visa
People can be so harsh. The OP is asking about an immigration issues and people have to throw judgement in, based on their own issues. There was some good advice, but a lot of folks being pretty judgemental.

Take out the immigration issues from her situation and it's an EXTREMELY common situation. Boy and girl break up, boy and girl meet new people, frequently within weeks. She was probably devastated. People offered to help. For all we know she met some totally genuine guy, who offered to help and they made some emotional connection. Who knows if they would ever marry but with some emotional connection they don't want to throw away the possibility by making poor immigration decisions.

In my experience, filipinas are very emotional people. They become emotionally attached deeply and quickly. To say that during a time of a devastating issue someone coming to her rescue built an emotional bond quickly is immigration fraud is just nuts.

Give them a break. If you don't have help to offer, stay out of it. It's easy to throw stones but you have no idea what her real situation is. I know I've been judgemental in the past too, but I've learned that real life tends to throw curve balls.

Edit: Wow, on rereading the original post it doesn't even say there is already another guy. It just says asks what she would need to do now so that it was possible for her to be petitioned again in the future. Not that she already has someone lined up. Other people must be projecting their own issues.

By the way, wanting to marry someone from another country doesn't mean there is immigration fraud. So some filipinas like kanos... I happen to like filipinas, some guys like Ukranians, some like hispanics, some like Vietnamese... Just because they know what they want doesn't mean they are committing immigration fraud when they get it. And just about everyone who gets married has been in prior relationships. Some moved on quickly, some not so quickly. Don't judge, most of us wouldn't look so good if the mirror was held up to us.

Edited by Grant PDX, 04 August 2012 - 01:59 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-08-04 13:53:00
PhilippinesVISA APPROVED TODAY!
Congratz to everyone and much success!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-08-15 11:41:00
PhilippinesDirect Flight
Philippine airlines also has direct flights to SFO. I've flown them in the past. 12 hours total flight time from Manila to SFO ain't bad. The flight SFO to Manila takes longer, because of the winds, I believe, but still only 16 hours total time.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-08-16 11:34:00
PhilippinesCFO guidance and counseling form
Straightshooter, to answer your question, you said you had the registration form already, which you will need, but given that your fiancee is over 25 you won't need the guidance and counseling form, which is what you were asking about.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-06-26 13:02:00
PhilippinesCFO guidance and counseling form
Here's my understanding about that form. Although the CFO is only required for filipinos leaving the Philippines, the guidance and counseling form is required for anyone under the age of 25 to be married. Your fiance and her parents can go to the local registrar's office and complete the form. I've seen the form on a couple of registrar's websites at different times. It really should be signed by both parents, if they are alive/in the picture. So having the mom go to the CFO can help, but not really a silver bullet. It is realy up to whoever is working at the CFO that day, as to what they will accept. Some days seem to be easier than others. The local registrar (where she would go apply for a marriage license if you were marrying in the Philippines) should have that form there.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-06-26 11:23:00
PhilippinesGot September 7 Visa Appointment - Amazing
Congrats bud. Nice and fast
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-07 20:49:00
PhilippinesI am a US citizen who wants to marry abroad
Others have answered the questions about documents which are basically your birth certificate and divorce decree(s) if any, and an appointment with the US embassy.

I checked into this in the past. I was planning a 2 week trip with the following plan:
Fly into Manila over the weekend, likely Sunday night 10pm arrival in Manila.
Monday morning, go to the US Embassy (appointment made in advance) to get the certificate of legal capacity to marry.
Monday evening, fly to her province.
Tuesday morning, go the local registrar to apply for marriage license - 10 day wait.
Friday, the following week (10 days later), pick up marriage license.
Saturday, get married, have reception, party, etc.
Sunday, fly home, no "honeymoon".

Because of a slight delay which caused me not to be able to be there early enough I decided not to push it this hard and instead enjoyed the 12 days we had together and then just applied for a fiancee visa.

Other people have gotten married in the Philippines and some have been able to "expedite" the 10 day wait through an "expediting fee". If you are willing to pay under the table and/or have connections in the local civil registrar you might be able to accomplish the marriage without the 10 day wait. I have friends who've done it.

Instead of that, we did a big engagement party in her province with over 100 friends and family. It satisfied her need for a big wedding with her family and took a lot of stress out of the process. Like some others, I would have preferred to marry in the Philippines and do a spouse visa because of many advantages in my opinion, but not at "any cost". This turned out to be the best option for us.

This isn't meant to be advice, just personal experience that might be helpful.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-18 11:56:00
PhilippinesBalikbayan Box - What Would You Send
I frequently go to Costco and get those boxes of 30/50 bags of chips... takes up a lot of space in those big LBC boxes and they always ask for more. Plus chocolate, clothes, and those other things mentioned above. Dollar store and Costco are your friends. I sent a used PS2 purchased at Gamestop plus a bunch of used games and that was a big hit. At dollar store or Costco I've loaded up on bars of soap (yes, seriously, dozen or more) and they gave them away to friends as gifts from the US and they were a big hit also. Instant coffee and coffeemate, spam, canned meat. Sounds crazy, and actually costs less in the Philippines, but they like that fact that it's imported.

PS. I know my timeline makes me look like a noob. I was married to a filipina for 5 years, have 2 little boys together. Divorced and going through the process again, actually my 3rd fiancee visa over the last bunch of years. I've sent over 25 LBC balikbayan boxes over the years.

Good luck!

Edited by Grant PDX, 22 September 2012 - 09:34 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-22 21:31:00
PhilippinesShould minors (7 & 2 year old) also go to the interview?
Children must go. When my fiancee interviewed years ago we didn't take her 15 month old son because he was sick. After we'd done most every step there, the US interviewer told us we needed to bring him back. Part of the reason, we were told, was that they want to confirm the same person applying for the visa was the one they saw.

They rescheduled us for 3 weeks later. My fiancee was 7 months pregnant at the time so we thought that was too long and so we talked to another person at the embassy who told us to come back in a week. We talked to yet another person who told us to come back the next day and wrote that on her interview letter and initialed it.

Long story short, yes children must go.
Also, if you don't get what you want, talk to someone else. Everyone in the embassy has some level of power and they might be willing to help if you have a legitimate concern.

Good luck!

Edited by Grant PDX, 25 September 2012 - 11:32 AM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-25 11:32:00
PhilippinesCan the petitioner (US Citizen) accompany fiancee to the interview?
You can get in with your passport. And sit with her through the day. You can't do it in every country so it's a nice feature of USEM. No food but hide hard candies in her purse and your pockets.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-25 15:52:00
PhilippinesSeven more days... Touchdown Manila
Congratz guys. Nice to hear. Have a great trip. I was just in Manila and Cebu a few weeks ago and loved it. Nice to see your journey reaching this BIG milestone. Ingatz
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-21 23:34:00
PhilippinesApproved!
Congratz! My understanding is that you would have to ask during the interview if you want to return to pick it up. They generally prefer 2go, but will allow pickup if it's requested prior to leaving the interview with the US interviewer. That's what I've read here on VJ, anyway. Delivery normally doesn't take too long.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-09-27 00:43:00
PhilippinesWhat is needed from Fiance for initial I-129F
G-325a needs your fiancee's signature. There are places all over Makati that can do photos. Pretty much anywhere you see a Kodak sign. I've had it done in a Kodak store in a mall. 8 photos plus the CD for about $5 is what I paid last time and I was in an expensive mall (Powerplant).

Good luck.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-19 19:33:00
PhilippinesFINALLY FINALLY got our passport / Visa!
Congrats!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-10 22:07:00
PhilippinesK2 Kids - Questions
I was in this situation a few years ago. My (now) son had his biological father's last name on his birth certificate but had not been involved with him since a couple months after his birth. The biological father did not need to be involved at any stage. There was never anything required or even requested. It might have been mentioned but never was an issue.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-10-30 12:20:00
PhilippinesVisiting Philippines

Returning Balikbayans or former Filipinos may also enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for a period of one (1) year, provided that they have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines, a roundtrip ticket, and proof of former Philippine citizenship (e.g. old Philippine passport or NSO-authenticated birth certificate). Foreign spouses and their minor children may avail themselves of this privilege if traveling with the Balikbayan.

This comes straight from the Philippines Consulate Website under "VISA" Heading. http://www.philippin...#authentication

Here is the website for the Consulate in HI. http://www.philippineshonolulu.org/

In layman terms, a Filipino, Spouse, and Minor Children, can go to the Philippines and stay 1 year without a visa. After the year you will need a visa tho. My dad is there and has been for over 3 years now, so I think I know a bit. Hope this helps.


The above is only "if traveling with the Balikbayan" meaning you enter the Philippines together.

You can extend your 21 day visa to 59 days while you are within the Philippines. I didn't realize you could do it beforehand for $30, which wouldn't work for me in any event as I don't live near enough to the Philippines embassy here. In my case I've done it while within the Philippines with no problem.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-11-11 22:21:00
PhilippinesIs this impossible? Tourist visa to the USA for my wife
It is very very difficult. There is a presumption of immigration intent. You have to present enough evidence to convince a skeptical CO that there is much more reason not to immigrate. Basically you have to show that leaving will be much more costly than returning to the Philippines, which is very difficult. Since she is married to a US citizen it will be seen as even more likely that she could/would stay in the US.

All that said, it's not impossible, but just a very difficult hurdle to demonstrate that she will return.

Edit to add: the fact that you've applied for an immigrant visa shows even more strongly the immigration intent. It will likely be difficult, but not necessarily impossible.

Good luck.

Edited by Grant PDX, 17 November 2012 - 06:57 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-11-17 18:55:00
PhilippinesEngagement ring, bring or ship? VAT- (Tax?)
Not suggesting you want to do this, but a little extra info:
When I've shipped via FedEx or other express carrier I always get hit with costs on the other end, ranging from 60% to 120% of the declared value (one time they thought my declared value was low, so they adjusted to what they thought it should be and charged 100% of that number).
However, when I shipped a balikbayan box through LBC there is never any VAT on the other end. Regardless of what is in the box they declare the value as $100. So I'm not really insured, but they've never lost a box or any contents. It does take quite a bit of time to ship, and is certainly not a good option for an engagement ring, but for those shipping other boxes that aren't time sensitive you definitely avoid the VAT issues.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-06 13:12:00
PhilippinesApproved! K1 and K2
Congrats guys!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-10 02:46:00
PhilippinesFather would not give up K2
If anyone is still reading, I guess I would be hard evidence. My fiancee's son had his father's name on his birth certificate and had his father's last name. I was involved throughout the process. I sat with my fiancee in St. Lukes and went to 2 visa interviews as my step son was sick the first time around and didn't go; I also went back 2 times to talk to the CO on my own as the visa was somewhat delayed. We were asked about the birth father. My fiancee said he wasn't involved (true). No further questions were asked at any stage. I spent 6 weeks in the Philippines and flew to the US with them. Other than that one question they weren't asked by the embassy, they weren't asked in the airport, they weren't asked at POE about the father or any approval by the father.

In our situation the father hadn't been involved since the child was 2 months old, more than a year before the interview. He still isn't involved although he did sign to allow me to adopt my son 2 years after immigration. He hasn't seen his biological son in over 7 years. My son knows the name of his bio father, but little else. It's not kept from him, he just isn't involved at all.

I don't condone indiscriminately taking children away from the parent. As Artisan pointed out, I would fight tooth and nail for my kids (in fact after a divorce I have sole legal custody to both children from our relationship, both the adopted and biological son we had together) and I recently won an ugly custody battle. I would fight. I would fight for the father's rights. However, the mother has rights too, and in the Philippines those rights are the primary, if not only, factor. If my ex took our kids back to the Philippines I might never see them again, the custody decision in the US has NO bearing, I would lose my kids. Those are the mother's rights there.

This isn't an easy situation. There are two (or more) sides to the story. However, IF the mother was the primary caregiver, IF the father wasn't involved until he knew immigration was a possibility, and IF he truly only cares about the money - 3 very BIG ifs - then the OP should know that he will likely be able to remove the child from the Philippines to the US. If those if's aren't true, then I feel very sad for the child and the father.

However, to sum up, I am hard evidence of what the embassy has allowed. I am only one data point, however. YMMV

Edited by Grant PDX, 14 December 2012 - 01:21 AM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-14 01:19:00
PhilippinesFather would not give up K2

I am curious, did you get the written consent of the father prior to the adoption?


I don't want to go offtopic too much, but it might be helpful to the OP. In our case, about 2 years after the move to the US we spoke with a family attorney about an adoption. The requirement for making an effort is to post in the newspaper for period of time, along with some other minimal effort. Not a very stiff requirement. Our local paper in Oregon was unlikely to be read by him. Anyway, the minimum requirement was pretty low.

However, since my (then) wife already had a trip planned to the Philippines soon after, our attorney wrote up a consent form. My wife hand carried it to the father who signed it. Recently I've become aware that there might have been some coercion on her part ("sign this or you'll never see him again", something like that, but the details are fuzzy). Bottom line, and hopefully I don't sound like a "monster" but my children are living with the only father either has ever known (both my adopted son and my biological son who she was pregnant with during our K-1 process) and are well cared for and happy.

Short answer to your question, yes he signed a written consent 2-3 years after the move to the US. Longer answer, it's not a legal requirement, and if it hadn't been signed it would be a long expensive process to undo the adoption and the courts would almost certainly see me as having parental rights anyway, due to the time we've been together and since his brother is under my custody anyway.

When you start talking about children in ANY move process there is difficulty. Part of the reason my custody battle has been so difficult recently is due to the fact that I have to move for my job. We had a $9,000 independent evaluation done. It was determined that a) I should have full legal custody, b) she should have signficant visitation, and c) that when I move I should take the children with me regardless of whether she moved. She was encouraged in the final report to move also, but if she didn't we would have been under a long distance parenting plan which would significantly reduce her parenting time. Call me a "monster", but my options are limited. I don't want to take the children away from their mother (she'll likely move, she has no real job or family here, just the boyfriend she moved in with the day she left me, and they may or may not remain a couple anyway). But it's been determined that it's in the best interests of the children, not just by the evaluator but it will be by the court as well (next week, YAY, finally almost over).

I don't believe in haphazardly taking the children away from one parent. But when parents live apart, which happens all the time, allowances have to be made. No, it's not ideal. But it might not be ideal for the OP to pack up and move to the Philippines either. No good answer, have to make the best of it, given that there is a plan to marry. I can give all sorts of examples of bad things people do regarding their children all the time. Not saying it's right but in this situation there's already a child of parents that are not together. That was the worst possible thing that could happen, anything else will just add to the already difficult situation.

OP, best of luck, this is not an easy path to travel.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-06 13:57:00
PhilippinesFather would not give up K2
My experience is ONLY anecdotal, as I don't know what the laws would be in this case. I brought my fiancee to the US over 6 years ago. She had an 18 month old son at that time. Her son had his father's last name and his father was listed on the birth certificate. He had been involved in the child's life but had been spending less and less time with him, due most likely to the desires of the mother NOT the father.

My then fiancee applied for a passport for her son without the father's involvement. I included him in the visa petition. He interviewed with her at he USEM interview and he received his visa at the same time as her. At no time was the father's involvement or desires even requested. I went to the USEM interview with them and nobody ever asked about him.

I am now divorced from my ex- and have custody of that son, who I had adopted a few years ago. We are going through a fairly ugly custody battle right now, but it has already been determined that I will retain custody. She has expressed a desire to return to the Philippines and stay if she could take the children. The US courts won't allow a move back. But they would allow visits. In discussions with an attorney with experience with international custody issues I've discovered the following:

In the Philippines the mother will ALWAYS (please understand that is always, 100%) have full custodial rights to children under 7. For children 7 and older it is expected that the mother will have custodial rights and it is difficult, but not impossible, for the father to gain custodial rights.
There is an ongoing case right now that the US father had been given full custody of children. The got the agreement confirmed in the Philippines. The Filipina ex-wife took the children to the Philippines and didn't return with them as previously agreed. The US father got a Filipino attorney to enforce the agreement. The Philippine court eventually overturned the previous agreement as it was against Philippine policy to give custody to the father for children under 7. The father essentially had a Philippine court agreement giving him custody, but the Philippine court later refused to acknowledge that agreement as ALL children under 7 are under the sole custody of the mother.

I know not all of this applies to you. Some is anecdotal, some is my understanding after spending $1,000s trying to retain custody of my children. The part that I see applying to you is that the mother likely has full legal rights to the child and, at least anecdotally from my experience, the father might not even come up during the petition or visa application process. The ONLY impact we had was that, since there was a child from the relationship that had both parents listed on the birth certificate, the CENOMAR wasn't enough. After the interview the USEM took an additional few weeks to as the NSO to do a more in depth verification of no marriage.

I hope you find some of that helpful.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-06 13:07:00
PhilippinesQuestion on marrying in pi
I know of others who were able to short cut the 10 day wait, but doing something under the table. They married, secured the visa and have been together for 1 to 10 years. However I would always be concerned about getting "caught". What happens if it does get questioned and gets undone. I'm not sure it's happened, and it's only speculation, but I'd hate to be the one that did get caught, just so I could shortcut the process by a few days.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-11-15 01:11:00
PhilippinesTexas DL
I've used my US driver's license to rent vehicles in numerous european and asian countries, including the Philippines. Nobody has ever had any problems or concerns. My guess is that with a GC and DL she'll be fine.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-22 20:22:00
PhilippinesIs the DS-230 Part I required for K-1 VISa?
It's showing in the letter as required. Whether or not anyone else has been asked for it is pretty much immaterial. The reality is you could be asked for it, why not prepare it and take it? Better to be prepared.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-30 23:26:00
PhilippinesMarriage not working out
Obligations will depend. Legal support obligations will depend on state and possibly your situation. Financially all you're immediately obligated to do is whatever you agree together. I would recommend an attorney for both of you. If you're not fighting, at least it would explain your rights and shouldn't cost much (my divorce attorney charged $1,000 plus filing fees since we pretty much agreed) although you can do it yourself for much less IF everything is agreed upon in advance.

As far as USCIS/Department of State is concerned, any ROC is primarily her responsibility at this point. She can do it with or without you. If she receives any government benefits you could be held responsible for repaying them for some time.

Realistically, get your divorce taken care of (your "obligation" is whatever comes out of the divorce discussions/negotiations/litigation) then if she wants to return home, get her a plane ticket. The end.

To do her a favor, you file for the divorce as things could be harder for her in the future if she does it.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-31 21:11:00
PhilippinesNeed help with I-129f
To me it does look like a waiver as it states "If you have filed two or more K-1 visa petitions at any time in the past ...". Although neither was accepted, 2 have been filed. A waiver request is simply a letter stating why you believe you qualify for a waiver to be granted. It doesn't look to me like you will have a problem with that. Best of luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-06 00:19:00
PhilippinesWhat do you do for kareoke in the US?
Oops, did't put the link in the post above. It's Magic Sing 19K Tagalog version. http://www.ebay.com/...d=220885532421
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-08 17:50:00
PhilippinesWhat do you do for kareoke in the US?
Here is a link to the same Magic Sing I bought. I have friends who've seen mine and purchased an older version to save money, only to later buy this one. It costs a little more (around $350) but everyone I know who've seen mine has wanted the same one. I guess I got lucky I bought this one, but I'd absolutely, 2 thumbs up, 5 star recommend this one.

I do have friends who have older versions, that they bought in the $150 range and they use them. You don't have to spend more. But even they ask me to bring mine over (they're very portable and simple to hook up) for parties.

Edit: This one comes with 900 Tagalog songs, 1600 English songs, so it's all ready to go and it has rooms for more chips which usually have about 100 more songs. I also put in a memory chip so while we're singing people see photos from previous parties, or my kids, or whatever I put on the chip. Nice added bonus there.

Edited by Grant PDX, 08 January 2013 - 03:35 PM.

Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-08 15:33:00
Philippines2 kids with her and ex boyfriend last names different
Not speaking ethically or morally, but just legally, in the Philippines the mother has ALL the rights for children under 7 and MOST of the rights for children over. In your case, legally speaking, I don't believe you will have any problems with the K2 process for either child.

I brought a fiancee over years ago with a 1 year old son. His father's name was on the BC and he had his father's last name. The father was never, ever mentioned during the entire process. It was totally as if the actual birth father didn't matter at all. Whether he was in the picture or not (in our case he was not in the picture at all) it didn't seem that it would matter. Others have reported similar experience.

That said, I guess it's possible for a father to make a stink but I am not aware of any cases similar to yours where a father was successful in having any impact to the process.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-25 15:46:00
PhilippinesNBI clearance question
Cenomar and NBI clearance are good for several months. 6 for Cenomar and 12 for NBI if I'm not mistaken. It sounds like yours will be 3 months old which shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-19 04:49:00
PhilippinesFavorite Filipino food/dishes
I have mostly an american palate. The things I most enjoy in pinoy food are adobo, bistek tagalog, menudo (without liver), nilaga, and everyone's favorite lumpia.

I like filipino food, but don't really want it every day. But those things I've listed come closest to what I would think most americans would like.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-19 01:40:00
PhilippinesWorse Case Scenario
When you marry you follow the laws of the country in which you marry. When you divorce, if you're in the US, you divorce according to the laws of the state where you divorce. Generally, you have to live in a state for at least 6 months to be considered a resident of that state. After that period of time you follow your state's laws. Just because you marry in the Philippines doesn't mean you divorce there.

Worst case, you divorce, she gets custody of any kids, she gets spousal support, you're on the hook forever for the I-864 (if she never leaves the US, never becomes a citizen of the US, and never can show 40 quarters of payments to Social Security). It's not 40 quarters of work, it's 40 quarters of payments into Social Security.

My ex-wife, Filipina, after 5 years of marriage met a guy and ran off with him after knowing him for 3 weeks. There were signs, she's not the norm, I believe, but we had a child together and I adopted her oldest son. We could have had worst case scenario EXCEPT, she had gotten citizenship so I was off the hook, I got custody of both kids so I avoided over $1,500 in monthly child support (and I got to keep our kids who are much better off with me), she felt guilty so we had a quicky divorce and I avoided up to $2,000 per month of spousal support for up to 30 months.

My worst case would have been losing my kids to a household with a convicted felon (her bf), $3,500 in monthly support (more than they make combined), and on the hook for any state support.

Worst case is tough to define for your situation, and most of the above would have happened had she been a citizen born in the US.

If you are simply asking about your ability to divorce, it depends on your home state. If you are still living in the same state as you were when you previously divorced, then you already know the laws.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-15 03:01:00
PhilippinesAC converter that will work in the Phils?
Most electronic devices made in the last 10 years (note MOST not ALL) have switching power supplies that can handle the broad voltage range required to work in the US and overseas. Read the device, if it says 110 - 240, or anything in that range, you should be fine.

As said above, your USB to computer is always safe, if the computer is plugged in safely. Switching converters, for power supplies that don't meet the range, are inexpensive. In the last 10 years I haven't needed a converter, as everything I use has a power supply that works.
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2013-01-30 16:11:00
PhilippinesCRBA
Born in the Philippines, the baby will follow the Filipino conventions with regard to naming. That will be the legal name of the child. The legal name can be changed in the US, but the birth certificate will be the legal name, following Filipino convention. If it's a problem, change it later when in the US.

BTW, my oldest has 5 names :) 3 first, mom's maiden name, my last name. At least he has my last name since I adopted him, before that his last name didn't match his mom's or mine. I had nothing to do with his original name, just lucky 2 of his first names are my grampa's first name and my best friend's middle name :rofl:
Grant PDXMalePhilippines2012-12-14 14:11:00