SFO step by step |
CFO step by step instruction for Filipino going abroad
My
experience to get the CFO certificate was easy and I can say would be fast if
you have all the complete requirements and documents that are needed and you
must bring. The CFO is needed for all Filipino spouses, and fiancée who will
travel abroad, this is a sticker which is stamp to your passport which is
needed before your departure, without this they can’t let you fly. A
certificate also is needed from them for applying passport to use your
partner’s last name. For more information
about this you can read www.cfo.gov.ph
First thing, I did
registered online for the appointment date, I printed out. I had my appointment
set February 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm at CFO Office in Cebu, which is 2 hours travel
ride on a ferry from the place where I live. I went in Cebu the day before my
appointment just to make sure that I will have the certificate that I need.
It’s not first come, first serve.
I was already 4:00
o’clock in the morning at the office and these are the steps basing on my
experienced:
- I logged my name to guard’s logbook, the guard told us to wait and eat some breakfast because the office opens at 7:40
- I line-up for registering inside the office, and the officer will check if you have complete requirements
- I waited my name to be called, and they give me a GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING FORM to fill up
- After filling up I gave back to the officer they checked and captured a picture of me
- Paid 450 pesos
Required documents for SFO
After paying they
told me to be back at 12:00 pm for the seminar and prepare all the documents.
There are 2 sessions per day and the officer will set your time depending on
the country of your destination. These were all the documents that I have in my
folder (Original and Photocopies)
My Clearances (
applicant’s clearance: Barangay, Police, NBI Clearance ), Birth Certificate of me and from my husband, Marriage
Certificate
Some other
documents that I take with me were:
- Copy of my partner’s passport
- Pictures together and with the family member
- Pictures together and with the family member
- If you’re partner has been divorced or widowed, you should need to bring all the papers from them.
I went back to the
office 11:45, the morning session isn’t done yet, we waited like one and half
hour, the session started already 1:30. It was like a film showing about the
Filipinos who had bad experienced in other nations, their vision and mission it
was like one hour of watching. After, we were divided into two groups for
European and American session. An officer will be assign in each group, the
officer will share some stories of Filipinos. What to expect, what to do, what
you must not do when you get to other nation. After the group session, the
officer will interview us one by one. I was a little bit nervous, specially
when she said she will only release the certificate when she is satisfied and
if we have complete requirements. She wants also all documents must be
translated in English ( I was OMG ) my husband’s birth certificate wasn’t
translated English. Shakeey moments!! The applicants before me wasn’t able to
get the certificate, I don’t know why she just straight away left the office.
In my turn, the officer ask me a few questions, how and when did we start
talking with my husband, where did we met, how long he have been living here.
What’s his work, if we have children. She asked me for pictures, I gave to her
including the ACR of partner and the copy of his passport. She signed the form
without smile and said to me to go to the counter and they will release me the
certificate. I was like OMG!!! I smiled so widely to her and I thank her with
my deeply wide smile, but still she has no reaction. I think she is really
tired. I went out of the room after and went to the counter gave the papers.
After like 5 minutes I have my certificate in my hands and they told me to come
back when my passport and visa is release for the sticker. I left the office
almost 6:00 pm and went back to the ferry port with a big smiling happy face
going home.
SFO certificate |
Now I can apply
for my passport and next will be for my VISA. Good luck and God Bless!!
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