ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandSingle Status Certification
I would look at the us embassy's website for that area.

In the Philippines, you need a similar certification, legal capacity to marry, not available in the us, as you guessed. So here we go to the embassy and pay $50 to fill out a paper saying we are single/divorced, and swear to a consular officer that what is on the paper is true.

Called an affidavit in leu of legal capacity to contract marriage, or something close to that here.

Hope you find it, best wishes.






bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-04 21:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionQuestion about crossing the border with approved visa to initiate GC processing and immediately drive back
Sounds like a plan to me. Been talked about catching a flight back to whatever country your from, then flying back to finish things up, like it took longer than expected to sell the house, etc., and the visa is about to expire...

In theory, no problem. I say go for it.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-02-23 01:23:00
PhilippinesQuestion about how to put the date on Report Of Marriage
I'm guessing it would be the same as a Philippines marriage cert., on that the "at" is for the time.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2013-11-14 10:32:00
PhilippinesDoes PRISM still conduct CFO seminars?
Nope. CFO does all the counseling on their own now. There was a topic on this a few days ago, if you find that you will get all the info you need. :)
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-02-04 05:55:00
Philippinesname change and NSO authenticated marriage certificate
If you did the report of marriage, you only need to go to nso and get a copy of your marriage cert., just as if you were married in the Philippines. If you did not report your marriage to the consulate having jurisdiction over the place where the marriage took place, well, then it gets more complicated.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-02-04 02:06:00
Philippinesplanning on a visit to the philippines to see my girlfriend
We sat down together while I was here the first time and put the packet together. Was an easy way to do it. Then you both can have your own copy with real signatures, and the golden one to drop in the mail when you get home.

Take a plane ride together, save the boarding passes, a few pics in places that say " were in the Phil's together"- like in front of moa, the big Davao letters at sm, ya get the idea. We sent a half dozen.

Best wishes. :)

Edited by bendinlar, 09 February 2014 - 12:14 AM.





bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-02-09 00:09:00
PhilippinesCFO Seminar... what else?
If it's any consolation, you could take the seminar before you get your visa. Then you just have to go back for the sticker. The sticker is easy, no waiting at 5am. Just walk in and register, simple.

Or spice heard, we've not gotten there yet. :/


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-02-06 07:22:00
PhilippinesBypass CFO? (split topic)
And if I'm right, getting caught trying to bypass CFO by going to another country first could get you caught up in some anti human trafficking stuff. They don't mess around with that stuff. Not worth the risk if you ask me.

CFO can't be that bad, seen more positive than negative experiences. Just be confident.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-02-16 14:16:00
PhilippinesHotel between doing Med and Interview
There's a great thread pinned at the top of the Philippines regional forum here, lots of great hotels listed and reviewed.

We plan on staying at a apartment that can be rented by the week, found them on craigslist, tourist-rooms.com, or something like that.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-03-04 15:54:00
PhilippinesID REQUIREMENT FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHT
When we talked to cebu back in October '13, they said any valid id with picture and signature. Police clearance worked for the wife's cousin.

Valid (not expired), picture, and signature, you're all good.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-03-26 10:52:00
PhilippinesUSCIS Immigrant Fee
Two separate fees. Interview fee is for the interview, and since you've got your visa packet I'm guessing you've done that. Immigrant fee is for the production of the green card. From what I understand it does not have to be paid before leaving, but the greencard will not be printed till it's paid.

Looks like you're ready to fly, assuming you're done with CFO. :) congrats.

Edit:
Looks like I was best to the punch, with a more detailed answer too.

Edited by bendinlar, 28 March 2014 - 06:00 AM.






bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-03-28 05:57:00
PhilippinesSocial Security Card Needed for Interview or CFO?
Now, birth certificate, that's a possibility.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-03 04:27:00
PhilippinesCan I get a permanent resident visa and live with my Filipina wife in Philippines
It's possible. There are things you need to do to get the prem residency, like provide a police clearance authenticated by the Philippine consulate in the us, that's the biggest one. Depending on your age, you might be eligible for a retirement visa. Best to check with the Phil. embassy for details.

Or you could do what some do, and live here on a balikbyan stamp. Good for a year. Have your wife meet you out of the country, fly in together with a nso marrage cert, and request the stamp. Then just take a vacation every year.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-03-30 05:09:00
PhilippinesFailed medical, Insight for condo/Apt close to St Lukes for 6 to 8 months...
There are some condos and apartments that show up on craigslist.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-05 23:28:00
PhilippinesWhat if I get married in the Philippines?
Second that.

Meeting in person is very important. Not only to make sure you can stand each other in person, but there are those with less than honorable intentions.

The process to get married here is not too bad, but there is a 10 day waiting period between application and release of the marrage license. So plan at least two weeks if you wanna go that route.

K-1 might be faster to get her to the us at the moment, but if you figure in AOS then it will take longer if she has the desire to work or do anything besides sit around the house bored to death.

Ir-1/cr-1 results in a greencard on arrival, so that's something to take into consideration.

Side note, there are several reasons for her to want to get married here in the philis. One is her family would be able to attend. There are those that have the incorrect info that because you get married here and there is no divorce here, you can't leave her.










bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-02 22:24:00
PhilippinesCFO - WIll this work to skip it
And not to mention getting caught can potentially get you stuck in a mess trying to explain your way out of a human trafficking investigation. Their getting picky on that stuff.

Short version, it's the law, and not worth the risk, they may be a little hard at times, but it is for the greater good.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-05 09:01:00
Philippinesmarriage cert?
Btw, don't forget you'll need CFO to get the passport in the married name if married to a foreigner in the philis.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-11 19:24:00
Philippinesmarriage cert?
We only waited 3 months. Could not remember if they said it would be 2 or 3 months, so we went with 3, and it was available.

The lcr did have us come in after the wedding to "certify" everything, there are others that we know of that did not go in to certify, and it took much longer for them.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-11 19:20:00
PhilippinesFees at interview for CR1 visa?
No fee for Aos if not reviewed by nvc. You should just need to pay the iv fee.

Plus the medical, of course. And that elis fee you already have figured. Then there is CFO if you've not done that.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-17 02:30:00
PhilippinesCFO on Tuesday April 22, 2014
Well, that took a while. Had a break about noon before they started the one on one. Then after that, the payment and releasing of the certificates.

Long day, but done. Now on to the passport changing.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-22 04:30:00
PhilippinesCFO on Tuesday April 22, 2014
Thanks for all the replies and advice.

Thanks Hank. Seen that reply many times, :) read through it again just as a refresher.

Got here about 4am, waited in line till they opened the door and started checking ids and handing out cards with pink f's on them. I was directed to the holding cell, I mean waiting area downstairs, and the wife went in to wait for the next step.

Should be ok. We'll see how it goes.






bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-21 17:56:00
PhilippinesCFO on Tuesday April 22, 2014
Planning on the wife attending in the morning, anyone else? Last minuite tips for us/her?
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-21 03:15:00
PhilippinesPhilippines Domestic Flight Ticket Purchase
If flying in to CDO, be aware that the new airport is quite a ways from the city. If you don't have someone to pick you up, you could be looking at about P800 to get a taxi to CDO.

Wife's aunt flew into there about a month ago, we read there was cheaper ground transportation available, but she said there was none to be found. And walking out to the highway to catch a bus, well, let's just say you better be ready for a hike.

Fair warning. ;)




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-24 17:41:00
PhilippinesSending a phone to the Philippines
I used dhl to send a ring. Won't send anything of value again. Taxes on the ring came to 44%, lesson learned.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-27 03:12:00
PhilippinesFast Visa Process for Wife to US????
Yep. Not an issue of how long you were married. Just as long as you've been a resident here for six months.

If you send an email to the uscis office here they will send you a reply with a PDF attached giving the requirements.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-01 15:18:00
PhilippinesFast Visa Process for Wife to US????
You don't need to get a perm residency visa to do that. You can file DCF in the Philippines on a tourist visa. Just go to the bureau of immigration to get your stay extended every month or two.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-01 07:24:00
PhilippinesFast Visa Process for Wife to US????
Schedule an info pass appointment on the uscis website to submit your I-130. Fee for that is $420. Save a few pesos if you pay in usd.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-01 04:48:00
PhilippinesFast Visa Process for Wife to US????
Check out the DCF forum. Direct consular filing. Skip uscis and nvc, go directly to the embassy. There are several that have gone through the entire process in less than two months. At least one 30 days from petition to visa in hand.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-30 22:00:00
PhilippinesBest way to contact the embassy while in the Philippines?

Well it turns out i didnt need to call, fine time to find that out.

 

once the case number was assigned, it was sent with packet 3 to the two addresses we gave them on the contact info sheet they had us fill out when we put in the petition. a week and a day after submitting our petition weve got our case number.

 

thanks for the replies. hope i can save someone else from burning a ton of load calling.

 

(btw, were in mindanao, so just dropping in aint gonna happen.)


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-29 04:02:00
PhilippinesBest way to contact the embassy while in the Philippines?

calling from the philippines. im here, we filed dcf, and im trying to call to get the case number. the only phone line ive got is my cell, with a globe prepaid sim. i went through about 300 in load today trying to call, but once i get past the main answering machiene, the line rings and rings (i end up on hold waiting for an agent). we went to the misortel and philcom office, and the cheapest way to call seems to be the globe so far, but im hoping someone has a better idea.

 

thanks.


 

 



bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-28 08:29:00
PhilippinesBest way to contact the embassy while in the Philippines?
I can get through, and dial the extensions, 5814/5815, but then it rings and rings.

Just looking for a cheaper way to call.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-28 05:37:00
PhilippinesBest way to contact the embassy while in the Philippines?
What's the best way to call the embassy while here in the Philippines?

1-without burning all my load, and
2-the only phone I've got is my cell with prepaid globe.

I burnt like, P300 today to listen to the phone ring. Hoping there is a better way.





bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-28 04:26:00
PhilippinesNo Appointments
I have logged in to the site with my iPhone several times with no issues. :)
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-04-26 14:25:00
PhilippinesPost interview question (split topic)
The delivery fee is included in the visa fee. No courier fee at Manila.
bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-07 04:27:00
PhilippinesPassport renewal
Yep. Ditto. We were in Manila to put in our petition, and did CFO there. Did the online appointment thing and went to dfa to renew the passport. The appointment system is just for Manila I think.

Had no issues, but I guess the lady at the lbc desk did a double take when my wife said she was from Mindanao. Manila, Manila, Manila,... Where? Ok, let me find a branch close to you.

When we did the original passport in butuan they delivered right to the house, but they only went to the local branch from Manila.




bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-10 06:44:00
PhilippinesPreparation for St Luke's Medical Exam

Honestly, I don't remember getting my blood sample taken (I got my medical August 2013). But what I do remember clearly is getting at least three shots (vaccines). You can tell your fiancee this early that so she can mentally prepare for it. The vaccination comes near the end of the whole process. Unfortunately, no exceptions for this. 


Isn't there an exception for those with a bun in the oven? Thus the pregnancy test? ;)

Just sayin. :)



bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-06 21:22:00
PhilippinesDNA and immigration atty.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that in the case of crba's, you pick a lab, and st Luke's does the collection and sends it off.

Sounds like yours is a tricky situation. Hoping for the best for you and yours.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-06 21:28:00
Philippineswife paranoid about medical, and an almoranas.
Thanks. We know its not that bad, and shes not embarassed so much, just worried that they would require it to be taken care of before the results are released.

Does not like the idea of undergoing a surgical procedure.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-17 03:33:00
Philippineswife paranoid about medical, and an almoranas.
So, the wife's got this thing, and shes worried about it causing an issue at the medical. I remember reading an experiance here saying its not an issue,but i cant find it now.

Can I get her some reassurance from someone that recently went through the medical with this "condition"?


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-17 02:13:00
PhilippinesCFO Seminar Experience
Nice review. Same as the experience my wife had.

Just want to share that you can take a companion with you. They may not be able to go inside for the seminar, but there is a waiting area in the basement/parking area. With a/c and a tv. I got tired of sitting in the little room, so i spent some time outside, but i had a fair amount of freedom to move around. There were some other foreigners there outside waiting as well.


bendinlarMalePhilippines2014-05-17 03:56:00