CFO Nightmare...Please Help

[Mr.&Mrs.EMB 55]

Attached is an explanation with the difference between parental consent and parental advice.

[mtb324 0]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I don't know how we missed the handout about the CFO. I felt like I was doing a pretty good job knowing what was expected but I think the issue was assuming that once the US government said we were good to go, that this was the end of it. Anyhow, I'm trying to pull everything together so that she gets the thumbs up and the sticker on Thursday.

I am very surprised about the parent consent. Luckily, her mom is more or less supportive and will probably sign something, but it seems crazy that at that age she needs a parent consent, imagine if the mother was completely opposed and didn't want to help. Would they deny her the chance to get on the plane? I'm still a little worried that this could be the case. The whole thing seems incredibly dictatorial to me but I guess we have more freedom in this country.

Thanks again for this wonderful website and I will update on what happens on Thursday.

[Al422 221]

BTW get to the CFO seminar SUPER EARLY. Like 3 AM kind of early. It is first come first served, and they only take the first 30 people who walk in the door each day.

[Hank_ 9,174]

** From the Family Code of the Philippines: it's 21-25 years old for advice and 18-21 years old for consent.

yes I know they overlay on the years, but that is the way the code is written.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Print and fill out. I recommend that you have it notarized as I have heard that some agents request it. Just a recommendation.

Those at least 18 but below 21 years of age are required to obtain parent's consent to the marriage. http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/images/stories/downloadables/forms/consenttomarriage.pdf

Those at least 21 but below 25 years of age are required to obtain parent's advice to the marriage. http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/images/stories/downloadables/forms/parentadvice.pdf

Persons 25 years and above, need not get either of the two abovementioned forms

[Hank_ 9,174]

yes it must be notarized, and it is advisable to have a copy of the parents ID.

[dvc 11]

The CFO is run by nuns and there is no scam there.

This is no longer true. The seminars used to be outsourced to 2 NGOs, one of which was church-affiliated. It has been in-housed by the CFO directly for some time now (in July 2012 I believe).

[Mr.&Mrs.EMB 55]

This is no longer true. The seminars used to be outsourced to 2 NGOs, one of which was church-affiliated. It has been in-housed by the CFO directly for some time now (in July 2012 I believe).

You may be right. I attended the CFO in Manila, there are two and the other one is in cebu. I am not sure which CFO you're referring to. But I can vouch that when we attended the seminar last year in July, the psychologist who conducted the seminar was one named Sister Lena. We didn't really know she was a nun until the one on one interview where she encouraged me to participate with my wife and she specifically said that it was still run and managed by nuns but there are few volunteers. She wasn't wearing a nun uniform BTW. I can't speak for others' experiences but this was only ours. I hope all the information I gave the OP was helpful in some way.

[dvc 11]

You may be right. I attended the CFO in Manila, there are two and the other one is in cebu. I am not sure which CFO you're referring to. But I can vouch that when we attended the seminar last year in July, the psychologist who conducted the seminar was one named Sister Lena. We didn't really know she was a nun until the one on one interview where she encouraged me to participate with my wife and she specifically said that it was still run and managed by nuns but there are few volunteers. She wasn't wearing a nun uniform BTW. I can't speak for others' experiences but this was only ours. I hope all the information I gave the OP was helpful in some way.

It might have been in 2013 they inhoused, I remember it was at the end of July but not sure 2012 or 2013.

Was your seminar at the actual CFO office at Citigold Centre?

Old outsourced seminars were at St Mary's Euphrasia in QC and PRISM (non-church-affiliated, my wife took hers there, no nuns) on Taft near DLSU.

Edited April 9, 2014 by dvc

[Mr.&Mrs.EMB 55]

It might have been in 2013 they inhoused, I remember it was at the end of July but not sure 2012 or 2013.

Was your seminar at the actual CFO office at Citigold Centre?

Old outsourced seminars were at St Mary's Euphrasia in QC and PRISM (non-church-affiliated, my wife took hers there, no nuns) on Taft near DLSU.

Yes, it was at Citigold center, pres. Quirino ave. corner Osmena highway. I am not aware of any other in Manila as far as I know there's only one in Manila. I can only post and share as much as to my experience goes in helping the OP. You can give him other information you might find useful.

[Hank_ 9,174]

That is the only location for CFO now a days.

[VOL 425]

St. Marys was run by nuns back in 2008. CFO used to be there

[Messybrownhair 251]

Goodluck. Hope you get everything ready in time.

[mtb324 0]

Notarized? OMG, that's crazy. I don't think she can get this done, she was supposed to go back up in the morning. The agent did not mention that he needed it notarized. Do they often ask for this? Wouldn't he have mentioned it? This is so frustrating, each of these ridiculous requirements take an extra day and we are getting very close to the deadline. Pointless government bureaucracy is the worst

[Messybrownhair 251]

You can always try with what you have already.

I know its too late for this, but just something for future filers to think about..

Its always good for both parties (beneficiary and petitioner) to be knowledgeable on the process, and don't rely on one person to do all the legwork. Also, never cut too close to the expiration of your visa before leaving. I got my NOA2 in 23 days back in 2010, but I waited 4 months to schedule my interview, because I knew I was not ready to leave yet.

Nevertheless, I wish you both luck!! I hope you get this CFO nightmare over with, or get an extension. I was 23 when I did CFO, and never needed any consent or parent advice.. I guess it is with the discretion of the person checking your case. Although 23 is different from 21, but not by much..

God speed

Edited April 9, 2014 by Messybrownhair