HELP!! CFO HAS ME STRESSING!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Why a photocopy of the aunt's ID? That sounds like a can of worms to open. As long as someone has signed as the mother/father/custodian and a notary signs it then I don't think CFO will pull the string any further. It would be impossible for them to decipher who the parents and guardians are in all these cases. They could also look at it as the "real" parents won't sign your letter, so she got an aunt to sign it. I suspect as long as you have something signed, and preferably notarized, then you should be fine.

Why a copy of the ID? CFO quite often asks to see it, even with the document notarized. CFO is a MAD MAD MAD World... all its own.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That shouldn't be an issue.

Don't forget, "aunt" in the Philippine's does not always mean the sister or sister-in-law of your father or mother. The mother could have sent a notarized letter to her daughter, no matter where she lives in the Philippines. Further, the mother and father are listed on the birth certificate, so what happens when the name of the person who gave "parental advice" and the parents listed on the birth certificate don't match?

Edited February 15, 2015 by I AM NOT THAT GUY

[kingneptune1 6]

But here's what blows me away,,,,we're talking about a 23 year adult woman here, not a child! She was a mother herself till she lost her daughter to meningitis last year. I know it's the Philippines but come on....she's getting married in U.S. I have trouble believing that a "letter of parental advice" is going to keep her off that plane. It makes no sense, especially after the ton of evidence and documentation that was already provided to secure her visa.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

But here's what blows me away,,,,we're talking about a 23 year adult woman here, not a child! She was a mother herself till she lost her daughter to meningitis last year. I know it's the Philippines but come on....she's getting married in U.S. I have trouble believing that a "letter of parental advice" is going to keep her off that plane. It makes no sense, especially after the ton of evidence and documentation that was already provided to secure her visa.

Well, the listed requirements don't even show you need a letter of parental advice, but CFO is also allowed to request any document they feel is necessary. So, go in cold, act with confidence, and only give them what they request when they request it. If the issue never arises, you are golden. Otherwise, deal with each issue as it arises without creating new ones.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Also, the CFO is its own world, and feels somehow they have to give even more scrutiny than the USEM did, and do so, based not on what the US wants, but under Filipino law. because they are bureaucrats who are supposed to discourage emigration.

She does know your mother's maiden name, and your landline number, right? Make sure she can contact you while she is at CFO for any other silly thing they want to know about you. They may even quiz her on zip codes.

[VOL 425]

Also, the CFO is its own world, and feels somehow they have to give even more scrutiny than the USEM did, and do so, based not on what the US wants, but under Filipino law. because they are bureaucrats who are supposed to discourage emigration.

I went thru CFO twice so far. First time 2008 we could either choose St. Marys (Ran by nuns) or PRISM, and PRISM had a reputation for being a pain in the #######.

My fiancé at the time was 19 and we had to do Parental Consent, I think we had her mother or sister sign off, since mother lives in another country.

My backup plan was to blow off CFO and have my fiancé leave from Singapore to USA.

We did CFO in November and it now more centralized but again I wasn't worried about it cuz I just was going to keep Singapore as our escape clause...

[kingneptune1 6]

i'm just gonna try to have her get it notarized when she gets to Manila and hope for the best. I think it's gonna come down to her and the counselor. We've been through enough already. It's time to get this done. Thank you for all your advice. Thank heaven for site.

[Greenbaum 12,260]

kingneptune1, on 15 Feb 2015 - 8:00 PM, said:

i'm just gonna try to have her get it notarized when she gets to Manila and hope for the best. I think it's gonna come down to her and the counselor. We've been through enough already. It's time to get this done. Thank you for all your advice. Thank heaven for site.

[Blueblood 5]

kingneptune, pls keep us updated on this. Let's hope all goes well.

I'm terribly sorry your fiancé lost a child before. Must be heartbreaking, and frankly I'd recommend, if needed in the future, she seek therapy about it. Unfortunately my late maternal grandmother lost a child, and received no counseling or therapy whatsoever (it just wasn't done much or at all in those days). Very sad situation there...

Back to CFO, my fiancé must use her aunt bc she hasn't even seen her parents in over five years and, frankly, her parents never acted as her parents since the day she was born. Reading this makes me think we'll get the letter notarized, unless her auntie just goes to CFO with her.

[kingneptune1 6]

kingneptune, pls keep us updated on this. Let's hope all goes well.

I'm terribly sorry your fiancé lost a child before. Must be heartbreaking, and frankly I'd recommend, if needed in the future, she seek therapy about it. Unfortunately my late maternal grandmother lost a child, and received no counseling or therapy whatsoever (it just wasn't done much or at all in those days). Very sad situation there...

Back to CFO, my fiancé must use her aunt bc she hasn't even seen her parents in over five years and, frankly, her parents never acted as her parents since the day she was born. Reading this makes me think we'll get the letter notarized, unless her auntie just goes to CFO with her.

Thanks for the kind words. To update everyone, my biggest fear was realized and they indeed told her she had to go back to Davao to have the letter notarized. Huge disappointment. She could have been here tomorrow and we could have enjoyed the rest of my vacation together. At this point we're not even sure what's next. We are both emotionally and financially drained. We are losing steam fast. At a time when we should be ecstatic on finally getting her visa and thinking we've reached the finish line, we are instead discouraged realizing we haven't indeed crossed it. Now again more delays, possibly weeks to recover financially, flight prices are going up and our spirits are going down. One comment I have is more emphasis should be put on the CFO procedures on this forum, if anything to prevent other couples from being blindsided like we were. We get focused on the visa..the medicals...the interviews...paperwork... evidence, we dot the i's and cross the t's, unaware that a judgement call from a human being can keep you from getting that sticker and leaving the country

[Greenbaum 12,260]

kingneptune1, on 16 Feb 2015 - 8:48 PM, said:kingneptune1, on 16 Feb 2015 - 8:48 PM, said:

Thanks for the kind words. To update everyone, my biggest fear was realized and they indeed told her she had to go back to Davao to have the letter notarized. Huge disappointment. She could have been here tomorrow and we could have enjoyed the rest of my vacation together. At this point we're not even sure what's next. We are both emotionally and financially drained. We are losing steam fast. At a time when we should be ecstatic on finally getting her visa and thinking we've reached the finish line, we are instead discouraged realizing we haven't indeed crossed it. Now again more delays, possibly weeks to recover financially, flight prices are going up and our spirits are going down. One comment I have is more emphasis should be put on the CFO procedures on this forum, if anything to prevent other couples from being blindsided like we were. We get focused on the visa..the medicals...the interviews...paperwork... evidence, we dot the i's and cross the t's, unaware that a judgement call from a human being can keep you from getting that sticker and leaving the country

This is a very disappointing time that you are experiencing, but with your tenancy you will have your visa. Just keep your head held high as you two are destine for each other. Your down but not out.

I want to address your last request that CFO procedures should be emphasized more on the forum. A lot of veterans are here, some for many years (Hank for instance I know has been here more than 5 years helping) and there are others, too many to name. We try and answer all the questions that come our way. We spend hours researching for items that others could either google or search within this wiki for themselves but choose to take the easier path and ask here. We can't cover everything but if you haven't visited Hank's website (see my flashing arrows below) then I recommend that you visit it and use the tab "CFO". Every step is outlined there with links to forms and directions including parental advice documents. He couldn't make it any more simple.

Anyways, don't give up. Maybe Cebu CFO would be better for you. You can take an overnight boat ride to CEBU which would be less money. Arrive in the morning, do the CFO and return to the dock for the boat back to CDO. You'll need to travel to CDO to catch the fast ferry. See rates here http://travel.2go.com.ph/

Edited February 17, 2015 by Greenbaum

[Hank_ 9,174]

CFO and what requirements I know of are listed under the CFO tab in the guide in my link. Advice/Consent letters are listed. No surprises.

I have done my best to make that guide complete. It only requires one to read it.

[kingneptune1 6]

CFO and what requirements I know of are listed under the CFO tab in the guide in my link. Advice/Consent letters are listed. No surprises.

I have done my best to make that guide complete. It only requires one to read it.

Don't get me wrong Hank, it's my own fault for missing it. Your information here is invaluable. My point is that the couples going through this process have to made aware of the power these individuals have and to be prepared in every way possible. We were not obviously. Like I said, its easy to get caught up in the big picture,,,the evidence,,the interview...the exam...This CFO thing, much more important then its been presented here. Just be more aware everyone, that's my only point here. And read EVERYTHING on Hank's link

[biaobiao 40]

Anyways, don't give up. Maybe Cebu CFO would be better for you. You can take an overnight boat ride to CEBU which would be less money. Arrive in the morning, do the CFO and return to the dock for the boat back to CDO. You'll need to travel to CDO to catch the fast ferry. See rates here http://travel.2go.com.ph/

Why CDO? Isnt she from davao?

It would be best to take a flight. Cheaper and faster.

As to OP.. You have crossed the biggest hurdle. There will lots of work around just be patient. Things will fall into place

[luckytwo15 13]

It's less than $5 to get documents notarized in the PI. The notary standard is not like the US.

Under 25, CFO requires the template letters and they require them to be notarized. That's the PI marriage rules, regardless what country the marriage will occur in (at least in the eyes of the CFO hens).

There is so much low hanging fruit to pick on why and what should be or could be ... at the end of the day I would presume that anyone going to CFO without the notarized letter is going to be refused the sticker ... although I don't have anyway to quantify that ...

Edited February 17, 2015 by luckytwo15