" The paper work"

Hi! hmm yeah thats me in the photo.

I made this blog because of my frustation. I didn't get answers online and was very helpless. I hope I will be able to help future "franco-philipin" couples through this blog. This was made in 2014. Maybe some procedures have changed. I've heard that the visa center is handling all visa concerns. Note: each case is different, i'm just sharing my own experience.

Tip: Be very organized! 

For same-sex marriage, I don't know the steps. But after 6 yrs of living here in France, I think your best move for this case is to go to France first as tourist and get married before your visa expires and the paper work can start from there. 

1. Certificate of Legal Capacity 

This is very important and this is the first thing you need to secure at the embassy. The bride can't get this alone. The bride and groom has to go to the embassy in Manila together. There will be a short interview of how you met and personal stuff. Before going to the embassy, call and make an appointment. Call 1 week ahead your desired day. The schedule depends on the embassy. So, before your fiancé flies to Philippines, make sure you already have the appointment date from the embassy. Check their site for details. 

https://ph.ambafrance.org/-English-

After your rendezvous at the embassy, they will ask you to wait maximum of 2 months. You must call or email them to follow up, don't just wait.  After 2 months, the bride can go to the embassy and claim the certificate. Ofcourse, get an appointment before going to Manila. In my case, it was a bit of a hassle because I'm from Mindanao and have to book a plane ticket each time. 

Tip: Check the certificate for spelling and dates correction before leaving the embassy. 

Reminder: for CENOMAR, get it at NSO (i think its name was changed). I still remember I had to wake up at 5am and be at the NSO office for same day processing, that was 140pesos. You may also order online but it will cost more and will take longer. 

Whrn you have CENOMAR, make sure to have it authenticated at DFA Manila. This is the certificate with red ribbon, they will attach this to your CENOMAR. This will take 1-2 weeks if you live in Mindanao (DHL processed it for me with a fee of 500, better than plane ticket yeah!)

WEDDING REQUIREMENTS

There are many pre-requisites before the ceremony. You need to get a marriage license. You can obtain this at your city hall. You can't get this alone (ooh yeah...your french partner had to travel to philippines a few times for paperwork). You have to be together to get this and wait 10-14 days before you can get married. During this time, the city hall will post your names for marriage banns. This means your fiancé must stay in Philippines not less than 2 weeks if you want to get married. Then on the 15th day you can have the ceremony. Also, check the schedule of the family planning seminar. Some city hall, have special schedule for foreigners. This is a requirement but you know in Philippines, especially if you know someone in the office, everything can be negotiable!

So finally, you guys are married! Congrats! Love love love! 

but hey you're half way there!

After marriage steps

1. Get your local copy of your marriage certificate from the city hall. Wait 1 month and get NSO SECPA copy of marriage certifcate. Get 2 copies.

2. Send 1 to DFA Manila for authentication(red ribbon authentication can be processed by DHL, you will get it in 7-10 days, payment is 500 )

3. Go to CFO Cebu or Manila for Guidance and Counselling seminar.

4. Renew your passport with your married name: (this is very useful as identity card in France)

-submit CFO certificate at DFA together with application form and NSO marriage certificate.

5. When you receive the red ribbon copy from DFA(marriage cert) go back to French Embassy for marriage transcription. Once again, book this appointment ahead.

Requirements: Transcription of marriage form(email the embassy and ask a copy), red ribbon Marriage certifcate with local copy. This is a very short transaction. No need to stay over night in Manila. 

6. Wait for the Livret 2-3 months. The lady at the embassy said, the timeline  is case to case but they will process it as fast as they could. (I'm sure she was bluffing just to get rid of me).

7. Get the Livret at embassy and at the same time apply for a Long Stay visa. Follow the same procedure as before, make an appointment or you they won't let you in. Unfortunately, the filipino workers there aren't very friendly but keep on smiling and greet everyone in the waiting area BONJOUR and surely you'll get a reply. It will ease the tension in your heart! 

Tip: Download the long stay visa from their website and make sure to bring your new passport with you.

VISA REQUIREMENTS:

1. "Long stay visa "application form.

2. Two recent photos 35*45mm white background

3. Proof of marriage: if celebrated in France- recent integral copy of the marriage certificate (less than 2 months old)

if celebrated in Philippines-copy of the marriage transcription from the consulate's civil registry service and livret de famille "family book"

4. Proof of French nationality of the spouse: Front and back copy of the french identity card.

When you have the Livret at hand, go to the visa section, submit the reauirements. Wait about 1 hour for your name to be called. Then, the consul will advise you to come back after 1 week to get the visa.

Upon claiming the passport with visa, there is no need to set an appointment. They only release it every 11:30am, it is useless to be so early there. By the way, the french embassy in Manila is close every wednesday. This is the last part of the paper work.

Voila...over-all processing time from wedding date was 6 months but I think it could be done earlier if you are not busy working. Costs: 600eur. This included my plane tickets. I made 3 trips to the french embassy in Manila.

 So, I really hope you get your visa approved and buy a plane ticket to France. Good luck and God bless!

 Maria Bourgeois

Nantes, France