CFO Seminar requirements (everything not posted on CFO site?)

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

My wife just returned from the CFO seminar in Cebu. She did not get her certificate so she can get her passport because she did not have documents from me. (which I didn't see as required on the CFO website)

Now she has to wait for me to send her a certified copy of my divorce papers, my Legal Capacity to Marry certificate, and a copy of my passport, which I know she will need to have for her interview as well, but it is very frustrating that she now has to make a second trip just to show them copies of papers they did not tell her she would need! She had a copy of our marriage certificate, which would not have been issued if I didn't have all that paperwork before we got married!

They did let her complete the seminar and counseling, so all she has to do is to go back to the office and show them my paperwork and then she can get her passport.

Oh well, at least we started all of this with plenty of time before her interview is scheduled!

[daveandlirio 0]

My wife just returned from the CFO seminar in Cebu. She did not get her certificate so she can get her passport because she did not have documents from me. (which I didn't see as required on the CFO website)

Now she has to wait for me to send her a certified copy of my divorce papers, my Legal Capacity to Marry certificate, and a copy of my passport, which I know she will need to have for her interview as well, but it is very frustrating that she now has to make a second trip just to show them copies of papers they did not tell her she would need! She had a copy of our marriage certificate, which would not have been issued if I didn't have all that paperwork before we got married!

They did let her complete the seminar and counseling, so all she has to do is to go back to the office and show them my paperwork and then she can get her passport.

Oh well, at least we started all of this with plenty of time before her interview is scheduled!

We're in the same situation - my fiancee went to the CFO in Manila. She needed a letter of consent from her parents (which I don't understand because she is 21) and a copy of my divorce papers. They required her passport, but didn't mention anything about my passport, so I have not sent her that...are you sure the CFO is asking for YOUR passport? Why would they need it? Also, you mention a certified copy of your divorce papers. I have a copy of the court divorce orders, but I don't know how you certify that or if the court copies are sufficient (they were fine at USCIS).

Anyway, she's going back next week with the remaining paperwork to pick up her certificate. Hopefully all will go well.

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, Claudeth just went by the checklist at the web site but her passport which already had the visa in it. She went through Cebu also.

Edited December 12, 2006 by jasman0717

[Ken_Maria 0]

My wife just returned from the CFO seminar in Cebu. She did not get her certificate so she can get her passport because she did not have documents from me. (which I didn't see as required on the CFO website)

Now she has to wait for me to send her a certified copy of my divorce papers, my Legal Capacity to Marry certificate, and a copy of my passport, which I know she will need to have for her interview as well, but it is very frustrating that she now has to make a second trip just to show them copies of papers they did not tell her she would need! She had a copy of our marriage certificate, which would not have been issued if I didn't have all that paperwork before we got married!

They did let her complete the seminar and counseling, so all she has to do is to go back to the office and show them my paperwork and then she can get her passport.

Oh well, at least we started all of this with plenty of time before her interview is scheduled!

From everything I have read about the CFO since joining this site in June, it is CFO pwersonality driven and dependent on the age of your fiancee. Tis is why lots of people recommend not going to the CFO until after the interview because your fiancee will already have the Visa and they have not been asking for additional documents from those already with the stamp. The CFO is like a checks&balance for the USE. They just stopped one of our VJ members fiancee whom is inder 18 from leaving the country even though the USE approved the Visa. Philippine law state minimum marriage age is 18 and she was 17.

I am glad you osted this here, but would be good to post it in Foreign Embassy forum in the Manila Embassy Interview thread too. Ken

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

From SMEF-COW's website:

Counseling Requirements for Filipino Spouses and Other Partners of Foreign Nationals

Two (2) valid identification cards with photograph (i.e. passport, driver’s license, NBI Clearance, SSS or GSIS ID, company ID, professional license card);

Duly completed Guidance and Counseling form (available at CFO or SMEF-COW);

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of Marriage Contract on Security Paper from the National Statistics Office (NSO), or the Local Civil Registry Offices (LCRO); or original and photocopy of Report of Marriage duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/consulate (if married abroad);

Other documents (i.e. divorce or separation papers, photographs, parental consent, letters, other proofs of identity, civil status, etc.) as may be required by the counselors;

and Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

I guess my documents fall under 'may be required' At least we have plenty of time to get everything done. I am just frustrated we have to spend the money for another trip to Cebu! She had to spend some of the money I was going to give her for her Christmas shopping on the trip to Cebu for the seminar.

Sounds like the counselors make up some of the requirements as they go along!

And they DID tell her to bring a copy of my passport as well, I may send her a copy of my birth certificate as well, along with anything else I can think of they might ask for!

As for certified copies of my divorce papers, the clerks office at the courthouse stamped them 'certified' at $20 a copy!

Edited December 13, 2006 by Dogwood_Poet

[Dean iWait 0]

My wife just returned from the CFO seminar in Cebu. She did not get her certificate so she can get her passport because she did not have documents from me. (which I didn't see as required on the CFO website)

Now she has to wait for me to send her a certified copy of my divorce papers, my Legal Capacity to Marry certificate, and a copy of my passport, which I know she will need to have for her interview as well, but it is very frustrating that she now has to make a second trip just to show them copies of papers they did not tell her she would need! She had a copy of our marriage certificate, which would not have been issued if I didn't have all that paperwork before we got married!

They did let her complete the seminar and counseling, so all she has to do is to go back to the office and show them my paperwork and then she can get her passport.

Oh well, at least we started all of this with plenty of time before her interview is scheduled!

We're in the same situation - my fiancee went to the CFO in Manila. She needed a letter of consent from her parents (which I don't understand because she is 21) and a copy of my divorce papers. They required her passport, but didn't mention anything about my passport, so I have not sent her that...are you sure the CFO is asking for YOUR passport? Why would they need it? Also, you mention a certified copy of your divorce papers. I have a copy of the court divorce orders, but I don't know how you certify that or if the court copies are sufficient (they were fine at USCIS).

Anyway, she's going back next week with the remaining paperwork to pick up her certificate. Hopefully all will go well.

The OP has not applied for a K-1 Visa. He is already married to the benficiary. Therefore different requirements.

[Jasman0717 9]

My wife just returned from the CFO seminar in Cebu. She did not get her certificate so she can get her passport because she did not have documents from me. (which I didn't see as required on the CFO website)

Now she has to wait for me to send her a certified copy of my divorce papers, my Legal Capacity to Marry certificate, and a copy of my passport, which I know she will need to have for her interview as well, but it is very frustrating that she now has to make a second trip just to show them copies of papers they did not tell her she would need! She had a copy of our marriage certificate, which would not have been issued if I didn't have all that paperwork before we got married!

They did let her complete the seminar and counseling, so all she has to do is to go back to the office and show them my paperwork and then she can get her passport.

Oh well, at least we started all of this with plenty of time before her interview is scheduled!

From everything I have read about the CFO since joining this site in June, it is CFO pwersonality driven and dependent on the age of your fiancee. Tis is why lots of people recommend not going to the CFO until after the interview because your fiancee will already have the Visa and they have not been asking for additional documents from those already with the stamp. The CFO is like a checks&balance for the USE. They just stopped one of our VJ members fiancee whom is inder 18 from leaving the country even though the USE approved the Visa. Philippine law state minimum marriage age is 18 and she was 17.

I am glad you osted this here, but would be good to post it in Foreign Embassy forum in the Manila Embassy Interview thread too. Ken

I agree, I think they accept it without question if the beneficiary takes the CFO after the visa has been placed in the passport.

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

I agree, I think they accept it without question if the beneficiary takes the CFO after the visa has been placed in the passport.

But what some of you have missed is Kathlene DOESN'T HAVE HER PASSPORT YET ! ! !

Her old passport is expired, so she needs a new one for when she finally gets her visa!

That is why she needs to take the CFO now so she doesn't have to wait for her passport once her interview is scheduled. She cannot get her passport until she has completed the CFO seminar.

[CHICTOPIC 0]

The OP has not applied for a K-1 Visa. He is already married to the benficiary. Therefore different requirements.

Even they are married already and the fiance or fiancee been married before , they both need to provide a certificate stating that their marriage is null and void .

[CHICTOPIC 0]

We're in the same situation - my fiancee went to the CFO in Manila. She needed a letter of consent from her parents (which I don't understand because she is 21) and a copy of my divorce papers. They required her passport, but didn't mention anything about my passport, so I have not sent her that...are you sure the CFO is asking for YOUR passport? Why would they need it? Also, you mention a certified copy of your divorce papers. I have a copy of the court divorce orders, but I don't know how you certify that or if the court copies are sufficient (they were fine at USCIS).

Anyway, she's going back next week with the remaining paperwork to pick up her certificate. Hopefully all will go well.

The passport that CFO Counsellor asking is PASSPORT of the applicant not the petitioner .

All over 25 years old are not required to have the parental consent when attending CFO.

Copy of Divorce Decree was ask if either both to of you have previous marriage .