Embassy saga

[amy30]

I HAVE NOW BEEN IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR 12 DAYS AND THE FRUSTRATION IS STARTING TO SHOW. I HAVE STARTED MY BIRTH REGISTRATION FOR MY TWO CHILDREN 6/5. THERE ARE TWO ANNEX A AND B. BECAUSE MY SON WAS BORN IN THE PHILIPPINES BEFORE JULY 2006 AND WE WERE NOT MARRIED HE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY GET BRITISH CITIZENSHIP. MY GIRL HOWEVER BORN 2007 DOES!. MY WIFE KIND OF GOOFED ON FIST CONTACTING THE EMBASSY, SHE DID NOT MAKE IT CLEAR EXACTLY WHY SHE WANTED THE APPOINTMENT IN THE SUBJECT BOX ON THE EMAIL. HOWEVER I REMEDIED IT WHEN I ARRIVED. SO WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT YOU HAVE TO GIVE 2 WEEKS NOTICE(NOT MADE CLEAR ON WEBSITE) AND YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM 5 PREFERRED DATES. WHICH I HAVE DONE. THEY KEEP SENDING ME EMAILS ASKING ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. BECAUSE I HAVE LIMITED TIME IN THE PHILIPPINES THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME 28TH MAY EARLIEST DATE. LONG AFTER I HAVE TO BE BACK IN UK. MY ORIGINAL EMAILS AND PREFERRED DATES ALL FELL WITHIN THE TIME I HAD TO SPEND HERE. I MUST SIGN A PATERNITY DOCUMENT IN FRONT OF A CONSULAR OFFICER BUT I CANNOT GET TO SEE ONE. SO ME COMING HERE AS ALL BEEN A WASTE OF MONEY,TIME AND HOLIDAYS FROM WORK. I HAVE SENT A FINAL EMAIL EXPLAINING THAT I WILL NOT BE HERE ON THE 28THMAY AND THAT I HAVE SENT SEVERAL EMAILS IN APRIL ASKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT. RESPECTED MEMBERS OF THE FORUM AND SIR TERPE WHAT TO DO NEXT? I HAVE ASKED MY MP TO INTERVENE BUT I THINK SHE BUSY WITH ELECTIONS ETC. NO REPLY. MUST RETURN TO UK SOON. MY WIFE EVEN VISITED EMBASSY IN MANILA WELL BEFORE MY VISIT BUT WAS REFERRED TO ON LINE APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT.
SHELDON

[amy30]

Since this post i have now received a date, 14th may. Has anyone registered their children recently in the philippines? And knows how much the registration costs?
Sheldon

[Terpe]

It looks like the Embassy are not being particularly helpful.

Just keep trying to get something done.

I'm not try to confuse you Sheldon, but be sure to focus on what's needed - British Passports

Here's something from the FCO webpage on Registering a birth

"Consular birth registrations do not confer British nationality and are not required to register your child as a British citizen or to apply for a British passport as British nationality is passed from parent to child. Your child will need to have an automatic claim to British nationality in order to register their birth.

There is no requirement for a consular birth registration to be done for any birth that has occurred overseas. The original birth certificate issued by the authorities in the country in which the birth took place, along with a notarised translation if necessary, is sufficient for all purposes in the UK (including passport applications)."

No offence Sheldon, and sorry if it's not relevant I'm just trying to help you stay focussed.

I hope your appointment is not solely for registration of birth.

That paternity document appears to be the key issue to me.

[joebloggs]

the embassy might try insist on you registering the child, but i dont think there is a legal requirement that you need to. its all about the pera

[grahamw48]

Thank goodness for DNA.....as a last resort.

Let's see the UKBA try to argue against the results of such a test, if it ever came to court.