hi all,soon to be married in davao.

[Arthur Little]

Hi Whiteraven,

May I extend a very hearty welcome to the site. My name is Arthur from Perth in Scotland. I'm a recent "recruit" myself and perhaps a wee bittie older (though not necessarly wiser) than most of the members on here. Having found myself in similar circumstances when I was your age, I would first wish to offer my sincere condolences on your sad loss.

Like you, I began corresponding with a Filipina from Davao del Norte (Tagum City, in her case) and have been fortunate in discovering renewed happiness. Likewise, I flew out to Davao (in September) after keeping in touch by email on a daily basis for almost a year, and will be returning there on November 24 for a further 3 weeks, during which time she and I will travel to Manila in order to lodge her visa application along with my CNI.

All the very best with your own arrangements. When do you plan to marry?

Whatever the date you both decide upon, I'm sure you'll find the Forum is always at hand - ready, willing and definitely able to provide lots of really helpful advice whenever it's needed.

Cheers,

Arthur

[PeterB]

... she and I will travel to Manila in order to lodge her visa application along with my CNI.

I'm a little puzzled, Arthur. The CNI is needed before you are able to marry in Phils. The spouse visa application cannot be submitted until the wedding has taken place (you will need to submit your marriage certificate). I fear that you will have to make two visits to Davao, and since it usually takes the best part of four weeks for the 'official' NSO copy of the marriage certificate to be available, you will not be able to accomplish both tasks within one three week visit.

[Arthur Little]

I'm a little puzzled, Arthur. The CNI is needed before you are able to marry in Phils. The spouse visa application cannot be submitted until the wedding has taken place (you will need to submit your marriage certificate). I fear that you will have to make two visits to Davao, and since it usually takes the best part of four weeks for the 'official' NSO copy of the marriage certificate to be available, you will not be able to accomplish both tasks within one three week visit.

I may be wrong here, but I THINK in cases where a 'Civil Ceremony' is performed, the information is directly at hand, and consequently, the ensuing certificate is possibly available far more quickly than is the case with Church Ceremonies - or so I'm given to understand, anyway - as I believe there's a tendency for the latter bodies to "drag their feet" in lodging marriage notifications with the NSO ... by submitting those on a bulk basis ... say once a month or so.

Perhaps you could clarify if Myrna and I will be given an 'initial interview' when we go to the Embassy to deposit my CNI ... ?

[jbt]

hello...welcome to the forum.

[aromulus]

I am afraid that to get the official NSO marriage certificate could stretch into months.....

[amyburple]

Welcome to the FORUM and Congratulation with you upcoming WEDDING ... GOD BLESS YOU

[PeterB]

I may be wrong here, but I THINK in cases where a 'Civil Ceremony' is performed, the information is directly at hand, and consequently, the ensuing certificate is possibly available far more quickly than is the case with Church Ceremonies - or so I'm given to understand, anyway - as I believe there's a tendency for the latter bodies to "drag their feet" in lodging marriage notifications with the NSO ... by submitting those on a bulk basis ... say once a month or so.

I'm not convinced about that. Our marriage registration was at the Tagum NSO within a couple of days - however, it was they who had to request the 'electronic endorsement' at the Davao NSO in order for us to obtain our certificate in about a month.

I would think that the local registrar in Pantukan will also have to pass the registrations through the Tagum office.

Yes, you receive the original of your marriage certificate, issued by the registrar, very quickly but, for most official purposes you will need the 'NSO' copy. This you will have to obtain from the Davao NSO, in the same way that we did.

Perhaps you could clarify if Myrna and I will be given an 'initial interview' when we go to the Embassy to deposit my CNI ... ?

No, you won't. The interface between the visa applicant and the Embassy is handled by a service company (VFS) - their offices are in a different parts of Manila. The only 'initial' interview is that at the time of submitting the application and supporting documents. If the application is incomplete, it will not be accepted. Also be aware that you will have no part in that interview - you will have to stay outside, in the waiting area, while Myrna takes the application in.

However, I think that you can take comfort from the posting made by Ady in another thread, where it has been stated that :

The legal test according to caselaw is that your income should cover the equivalent of income support levels (for a couple and a child which is at present £150 per week approximately) after accommodation has been paid for.

I think that your pension, small as it is, should meet income support levels for a couple.