Wednesday, February 27, 2013

CFO (commission on filipino overseas) certificate is 1 of the requirement for passport application and renewal  for spouse of foreign nationals who want to use their husband's name for 1st time..
Inorder  to get such certificate.you need to go to CFO office and attend the Guidance and Counselling session.

 Location of CFO Offices:


  
CFO Manila
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue
corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Tel. No.: (02) 552-4700
Fax No.: (02) 561-8332
E-mail: info@cfo.gov.ph

CFO Cebu Desk
Causing-Lozada Building, Osmeña Boulevard corner
MJ Cuenco Street, Cebu City, Philippines
Telefax: (032) 255-5253
Email: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph

In my case, I took the seminar in Cebu office as I am from Davao City, and another reason is that they have daily schedule for Canada bound, so i have more chances to attend as it is limited to cater 12 persons daily on a first come first serve basis.
I booked a plane ticket from Cebu Pacific more than a month before my flight( paid only Php 1,129 back n forth as they had promo). I took 3 days off from work, and stayed in a hotel that I booked online(Sampaguita Suites Plaza Garcia)   good thing its just a walking distance from CFO Office (few blocks away).

Nov.14, 2012, I went to CFO Office as early as 4:30 am just to make sure i'll be able to get a slot for the session. At around 7 am we are listed as participants and are given priority #. We left to have our breakfast and went back in the office at 8:00 am for registration.
You need to bring required documents to be accomodated in the counselling seminar,
here are the counselling requirements:

1. Guidance and Counselling form (given at the office)
2. Original and Photocopy of 2 valid ID's
3. NSO Birth Certificate (original & photocopy)
3. NSO Marriage Certificate (original & photocopy)
4. Php 400 counselling fee
5. NBI Clearance
6. Photocopy of Husband's Birth Certificate
7. Photocopy of entry/exit stamped(Philippines) of husband's passport
8. Copy of pic together (you and your husband)

** There are things you need to remember also as asked in GC form:

Husband's complete name ( i'm sure you will never forget lol)
       "       Birthday
               Complete Address
               Mother's maiden name
               Kind of work/job and adress of workplace
               Educational Attainment
               Course
When, where and how you met..

I spent the whole day at CFO office to get my CFO Certificate. In the morning you will have to fill-up counselling form and your requirements be assessed by counsellors, had the film viewing about filipinos going abroad (the do's and dont's), and picture taking for the certificate.
In the afternoon time we went into a room and had a country specific group discussion, and counsellors will do a 1 on 1 interview for each participants later on..I got my certificate at around 6:00 pm and went back to hotel, prepared myself for my early flight next day.

here's my certificate :)