Passport Inquiry

[IsmoBem 1]

Hi everyone,

I just got married 2 mos ago and our application for CR1 visa is on going. May i just inquire if my old passport with my maiden name will be acceptable even though i am using now my husbands name on our application. My old passport is still valid till 2014 and i dont feel like applying for a new passport with my new name because there's too many process involve with it, but im worried that the US embassy will be needing my new passport with my new name in it. what do u think guys i need your help. Ill appreciate any info thanks

Bem

Edited April 19, 2012 by IsmoBem

[GaryKO 49]

You have plenty of time to get a new passport. Your passport with maiden name is ok as long as you understand that your visa, and also your green card will be in your maiden name.

To get a new passport in married name......

1. Get 2 ID's in married name, Postal and NBI is easiest.

2. Go to the CFO, and get your counseling certificate, you need this anyway.

3. Take CFO certificate to DFA office and change your passport to married name, takes about month to get passport back.

[IsmoBem 1]

You have plenty of time to get a new passport. Your passport with maiden name is ok as long as you understand that your visa, and also your green card will be in your maiden name.

To get a new passport in married name......

1. Get 2 ID's in married name, Postal and NBI is easiest.

2. Go to the CFO, and get your counseling certificate, you need this anyway.

3. Take CFO certificate to DFA office and change your passport to married name, takes about month to get passport back.

Hi thanks for info may i just know wats CFO? My another problem is because i got married just 2 months ago my NSO certified marriage certificate is not yet available. They wont accept the original marriage certificate they need the NSO certified.

[jkelly07 120]

if you filed the 1-130 cr-1 in yiur married name then you will receive your permanent resident card in your married name.your passport you can change it to your new married name,now before you get approved at the interview, to traval to the u.s with your. philippine passport.thre an half years later you apply for us citizenship an get a u.s passport.

[GaryKO 49]

Hi thanks for info may i just know wats CFO? My another problem is because i got married just 2 months ago my NSO certified marriage certificate is not yet available. They wont accept the original marriage certificate they need the NSO certified.

Your certified marriage certificate should be available at NSO now. CFO is Commission on Filipinos Overseas. As Filipinos going abroad as fiancé(e)s, spouses or other partners of foreign nationals, you are required to attend the CFO's guidance and counseling session in order to secure the Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker. You can't leave the Phills without this.

When you get your NSO certified marriage certificate you can try changing your passport to your married name at the DFA office, but they may tell you that you need the CFO guidance and counseling certificate before you can change it.

[IsmoBem 1]

Oh i didnt know about that. Thnaks for letting me know. How can i get this CFO certificate?

[Wally G! 58]

Oh i didnt know about that. Thnaks for letting me know. How can i get this CFO certificate?

St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation - Center for Overseas Workers.

CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas) Information.

CFO Seminar is a 1 day seminar and process.

She will need to register for her seminar.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348%3Afiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140&Itemid=813

CFO is to inform fipinos about the country they are traveling to. The Good, Bad and Ugly. They will ask her some questions and issue her CFO sticker and seminar certificate.

Requirements for Registration:

Original and photocopy of Passport;

Original and photocopy of visa;

Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/ Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Certification of Eligibility (for Japan-bound);

Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

Duly completed emigrant registration form; and

Payment of the authorized registration fee.

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348%3Afiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140&Itemid=813

Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph; (Postal ID, NBI Clearance, Passport w/ Visa)

Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdf/downloadable%20forms/overseasbasedemigrantform.pdf

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and

You will pay a fee totaling PhP 650.00. The PhP 250.00 is paid as counseling fee at SMEF-COW or PRISM while the PhP 400.00 is for registration at the CFO.

If you fiancee is under 25 yrs. She will need a written consent letter from her parents or a parent will need to be there with her to give consent of there child's marriage.

> If you are between the ages of 21-24, CFO may require you to submit a letter of parental advice to marry.

> If you are between the ages of 18-20, CFO may require you to submit a letter of parental consent to marry.

Here's why you didn't see anything on the CFO website about those requirements:

The following is from the CFO website:

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;

Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

Other documents as may be required by the counselors <-----------------------------

Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

CFO link.

The following forms may come in handy:

Sworn statement that advice of parents or guardian has been asked. (for those who are 21-24 years old)

Consent to marriage of a person under age. (for those who are 18-20 years old)

Marriage applicants who are age 18 to 21 must have parental consent in writing, those age 21 to 25 must have written parental advice (a written indication that the parents are aware of the couple's intent to marry). The revised Family Code of the Philippines, which took effect on August 4, 1988, prohibits marriage for individuals below the age of 18.

U.S. Department of State link.

The quote above is from the section where they are talking about getting married in the Philippines. However, the CFO has been known to require parental advice or parental consent from K-1ers.

It's all on the Consular's discretion whether they require consent from a parent or guardian.

SMEF-Center for Overseas Workers

Good Shepherd Convent

1043 Aurora Boulevard

Quezon City 1108

Philippines

http://www.smef-cow-phil.org/

OR

Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue

corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)

Manila, Philippines 1007

Tel. No.: (02) 552-4700

Fax No.: (02) 561-8332

E-mail: info@cfo.gov.ph

Website: www.cfo.gov.ph

Once CFO seminar, certificate, Sticker and stamp is completed, you’re done. Book the Flight!!

You will need to pay a NAIA International Departure Fee: PHP 550 mandatory at NAIA.

Good Luck and God bless!!!

[IsmoBem 1]

wow Wally, Thanks alot for this very helpful info. So i couldnt get a new passport without this Counseling certificate? do i have to get this now before the interview?

[Wally G! 58]

wow Wally, Thanks alot for this very helpful info. So i couldnt get a new passport without this Counseling certificate? do i have to get this now before the interview?

CFO is the pre-departure Seminar required by all Filipinos immigrating to another country. This is not need to obtain a new Passport in your married name.

Requirements:

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse

Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO. Click here

Personal Appearance is required.

Duly accomplished application form. Click Here

Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO. Click here

Proof of identity / Supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship

Marriage Contract

Land Title

Driver's License

Government Service Record

School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with dry seal

Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship

Voter's Registration Record from COMELEC Intramuros

Baptismal Certificate with dry seal

Seaman's Book

Income Tax Return (Old)

NBI Clearance. Click Here

***NBI Important*** In the " OTHER NAME / AKA: " field on the form. You need to put maiden name and any other name previously used.

Set an appointment date with DFA. Click here

Passport Fees

Regular Processing: Php 950.00 (15 working days)

Rush Processing: Php 1,200.00 (7 working days)

DFA Consular Office:

ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue

corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City

[Wally G! 58]

do i have to get this now before the interview?

Yes you can take the seminar before your interview but you should wait until you get your MNL case number first. Then attend the seminar. Once the seminar is completed. Pay the consular fee P250. They will give you the certificate.

You will need to return once your USEM Interview and Visa Application is approved and you have received your visa and passport back to you. Return to CFO office. Present your passport, Seminar Certificate and pay the registration fee P400. They will then place the CFO sticker and certificate in your passport. This allows you to leave the Philippines.

[DouglasFiel 53]

FYI,,, With the I130 process,,, you will need to submit a copy of your current (unexpired) passport during the NVC process.

If you are planning to change passport name,,, make sure you make a copy of the current passport incase you need

to submit a copy to the NVC and you have not received your new one yet.

Note: In our experience our I130 name always reflected the latest name they had.

1. I130 submission married name

2. NVC (gave them maiden name passport copy) I130 changed to maiden name

3. St Lukes (gave them married name passport) I130 changed to married name

4. Visa issued in married name

regards,

dc

[GaryKO 49]

Use this forum as a guide, the advice given is sometimes what people think they know, or their opinion. The problem being what the rules are and how officials interpret the laws in Manila may differ it other parts of the Phills. Do some reading, ask questions. and find out what is required where you live.

I can assure you because we just changed my wife's passport to her married name in Tacloban, they required the CFO counseling certificate before DFA would issue a new passport in married name.

In my opinion the first thing you need to do after you have your CEMAR is to get a NBI clearance in your maiden and married name. If you get a hit on either name, it can take a month to 3 months to resolve. Get a postal ID in your married name. Go to the DFA office and tell them you need to change your passport to your married name, then do what ever they require to change it.

I think if you can, it is much better to have all your documents in your married name before you get to the NVC stage, just makes life easier in the Phills, and will in the USA for the ID's to all match. If you start now you have plenty of time.

[IsmoBem 1]

okei thank you so much guys for all the information.. its very helpful. I know i need to do research. This visa thing is very delicate and that what makes it stressful.. God Bless and keep on helping everyone.

Bem