U.S. EMBASSY –
MANILA INFORMATION PAGE

American Citizen Services

June 2006

Message from Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney

To the American Citizen Community in the Philippines

The United States and the Philippines share very special bonds through our shared history and the common vision we share as democratic nations of bringing peace and prosperity to our citizens. The personal and family ties between our two countries, as you all know so well, are extraordinary. Filipinos visit, live and work in the United States and Americans live, visit and do business here. Our countries share a uniquely close relationship that is of great importance to all of us. I feel very optimistic about the future of the Philippines and about the future of the U.S. – Philippines relationship.

I’ve divided my time these first weeks in country between getting to know key government, public and business leaders in Manila and getting out to the rest of the country. I traveled to Mt Samat to honor those whose surrender there marked the beginning of the famous Bataan death march. As the daughter of a World War II veteran, it was a special honor to meet so many distinguished veterans from both our countries. I visited Zamboanga, Basilan, and Jolo to see U.S. projects to bring peace and prosperity to the southern Philippines. I’ve visited Cebu to see U.S. businesses there, consult with our consular agent, meet local leaders, and swear in new Peace Corps volunteers. It is inspiring to see the terrific work that both public and private U.S. citizens are doing throughout the Philippines, and equally heartening to see the tremendous affection Filipinos have for our presence in this beautiful country.

In April, I was delighted to host separate visits from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Peace Corps. We also hosted the U.S. Naval Ship Mercy, a hospital ship that provided free medical services and donate medical equipment to some of the poorest areas of the Philippines.

Reflecting the depth and breadth of our involvement in this country, the U.S. Embassy is one of the largest in the world. Much of our effort is dedicated to providing services to Americans and Filipinos. We have dedicated staff working on veterans’ issues, social security, and consular affairs. We take great pride in our customer service and hope you will let us know how we are doing to meet your needs.

I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you in the course of meetings and travels and I look forward to seeing you in person in the coming months. I will also use this newsletter to keep you posted on my work here and I hope you will keep us posted on your activities. It is my great honor to represent you as your Ambassador to the Philippines.

Mabuhay! Kristie Kenney

New Hours for ACS Notary Services

Monday through Friday

7:30am to 10:00am

Upcoming US Embassy Holiday Closings

Independence Day (PHL)  Mon, June 12

Independence Day (USA)  Tues, July 4

Labor Day (USA)   Mon, Sept 4

Columbus Day (USA)  Mon, Oct 9

      Tentative Outreach Schedule

Angeles Thurs, Jul 27

      Olongapo  Fri, Jul 28  

      Legaspi Thurs, Aug 17

      Davao  Fri, Sep 22 

      Palawan Thurs, Sep 7

      Olongapo Thurs, Oct 19

      Angeles  Fri, Oct 20 

New Appointment Policy for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and First Time Derivative U.S. Citizenship

Effective May 1, 2006 the ACS section will interview applicants for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)s and first time adult derivative U.S. citizenship by appointment only.

Contents

Message from the Ambassador

International Child Abduction

Some FAQS about Child Abduction

Important Notice about the 2006 U.S. Elections

General Information about Notarial Services

New Requirements for Form I-864 Affidavits of Support

2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines

How Do I…Apply for U.S. Citizenship

U.S. Citizen Registration Form

Warden Message

Travel Warning - Philippines

Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution

Consular Information Sheet - Philippines

American Citizen Services

U.S. Embassy

1201 Roxas Blvd.

Ermita, Manila, Philippines

Consul General: Richard D. Haynes

ACS Chief: Christopher Rowan

Office:  63-2-528-6300 x2246/2555

Fax:    632-522-3242

Passports

Mon through Fri 7:30am - 11:00am

For applications call FedEx at

02-879- 4747

Citizenship and Birth Registration

By appointment only

For forms and appointments call FedEx at 02-879-4747

Notary Services

Mon through Fri 7:30am – 10:00am

Legal Capacity to Marry

Mon through Fri 7:30am - 10:00am

EMERGENCIES: For emergencies after hours please call 63-2-528-6300 and ask for the Duty Officer.

Website:

http://www.philippines.usembassy.gov

Email:

acsinfomanila@state.gov

Virtual Consulate Davao:

http://www.usvirtualconsulatedavao.org.ph

American Citizen Services

International Child Abduction

 
 

 
 

International Child Abduction

Parental child abduction is a tragedy. When a child is abducted across international borders, the difficulties are compounded for everyone involved. The Department of State considers international parental child abduction, as well as the welfare and protection of U.S. citizen children taken overseas, to be of the utmost importance. We place the highest priority on the welfare of children who have been victimized by international abductions. 
 
The Department of State's Office of Children's Issues (CA/OCS/CI) is designated to provide assistance to the left-behind parents of international parental child abduction. Since the late 1970's, the Office of Children’s Issues has been contacted in the cases of approximately 16,000 children who were either abducted from the United States or prevented from returning to the U.S. by one of their parents. The Office of Children's Issues is prepared to assist in the recovery of abducted children. Because it can be a bewildering experience, a questionnaire for the left-behind parents of children taken to countries not party to The Hague Abduction Convention and an application for left-behind parents of children taken to Hague Convention member countries can be filled out. To report an abduction case to CA/OCS/CI, call the office and follow-up with a copy of either the completed questionnaire or the completed application. In order to provide the best service, keep the office informed of any developments in the case.

What the State Department Can Do:

• In cases where the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction applies, assist parents in filing an application with foreign authorities for return of the child
• In other cases, through our embassies and consulates abroad, attempt to locate, visit and report on the child's general welfare
• Provide the left-behind parent with information on the country to which the child was abducted, including its legal system, family laws, and a list of attorneys there willing to accept American clients
• In all cases, provide a point of contact for the left-behind parent at a difficult time
• Monitor judicial or administrative proceedings overseas
• Assist parents in contacting local officials in foreign countries or contact them on the parents behalf
• List the child in a passport lookout database to alert the custodial parent to an application for a U.S. passport
• Alert foreign authorities to any evidence of child abuse or neglect

What the State Department Cannot Do:

• Re-abduct the child
• Help a parent to violate host country laws
• Pay legal expenses or court fees
• Act as a lawyer or represent parents in court
• Give refuge to a parent involved in a re-abduction

The State Department has compiled a helpful website at travel.state.gov under International Parental Abduction. If you have questions, call the State Department at 202-736-9090 or fax the State Department at 202-736-9133.

You may also find helpful information at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) website.

General Information

The Department of State in Washington and U.S. Embassies receive many requests for advice and assistance from parents whose children have been taken from the United States or prevented from returning to the United States by the other parent. The Department and its Foreign Service posts will do whatever they can to assist parents who are involved in child custody disputes; however, in most cases, the amount and type of assistance, which can be provided, is quite restricted. 

Jurisdictional Limitations and Legal Assistance

If the parents cannot work out an amicable settlement of a child custody dispute, the only recourse may be a court action in the country where the child is located. The law of the country in which the child is physically present, even temporarily, is controlling. 

Traditionally, the legal doctrine to which most countries have adhered is that the presence of a child within a particular country renders its courts competent to determine who should have custody of the child, regardless of any prior custody judgment issued by a court in another country. As a result, it is not unusual to find conflicting custody decisions in different jurisdictions. Courts in some countries have honored American custody decrees, but on the whole the outcome is unpredictable. The United States Government cannot force a foreign country to honor any American court order regulating custody or visitation rights.  Several States in the United States have entered into arrangements (such as The Hague Convention on Child Abduction) with some foreign countries to provide reciprocal automatic recognition of court child custody and support orders. The numbers of States and countries involved in such arrangements is slowly increasing. Although U.S. consular officers can provide lists of attorneys in their consular districts, they cannot recommend any particular

attorney, offer legal advice, represent U.S. citizens in custody or other hearings before foreign courts, or attempt to influence the outcome of those hearings. 

 
Consular officers have no legal authority to obtain physical custody of children and return them to the United States. They cannot assist a parent in acquiring physical custody of a child illegally or by force or deception. Officers cannot help a parent to leave a foreign country with child whose custody is disputed if the departure would violate a court order or the laws of the foreign country. They can, however, provide a passport for a U.S. citizen child whose custody is disputed if the child appears in person and the consular officers have not received a court order issued by the foreign government barring the child's departure from the country or awarding custody to someone other than the parent accompanying the child.

Consular Assistance in Non-Hague Convention Cases 

The Philippines has not signed the Hague Convention on Child Abduction. If you need assistance from the US Embassy, please provide as much of the following information as you can: 

• the child's date and place of birth;
• the child's passport number, and date and place of issue; 
• information about the child's departure from the United States and/or destination in the Philippines and; 
• the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons with whom the child traveled or is believed to be staying. 

Information concerning the provisions, which have been made for custody of the child or a copy of any pertinent court decree, is helpful. Parents should also include telephone numbers, fax and e-mail where they can be reached.

In child custody controversies in the Philippines, the U.S. Embassy can attempt to locate taken children, monitor their welfare upon the request of a parent, and furnish a list of local attorneys. Generally, the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development has primary responsibility for the welfare of children in custody disputes, including allegations of abuse or neglect. Please note that Philippines privacy laws severely restrict disclosure of the social worker's findings, except with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained or in connection with legal proceedings or for other lawful purposes. 

 

Passport Denial in Child Custody Cases 

A parent who wishes to obtain a passport for a minor child abroad must have physical custody of the child. The child must physically appear for the passport and must have the proper documentation (i.e. evidence of U.S. citizenship of the child, parents’ identity and parentage evidence). In the absence of a local court order granting sole custody of the minor child to one parent (or a court order restraining a parent from removing the child from the country, or a written request for denial from the parent having sole custody), both parents must execute the passport application of a child under 14 years old. Both parents must provide evidence of identity (e.g. photo IDs, passport) and parentage (original of child's birth certificate listing the parents’ names, adoption decree, Consular Report of Birth Abroad). The two-parent signature requirement is definitive, except under certain limited exigent or special family circumstances. If only one parent will accompany the child to the Embassy to file an application for passport, the applying parent must submit a statement from the non-applying parent consenting to the passport issuance to the child. The purpose of requiring both parents' consent is to lessen the possibility that a U.S. passport might be used in the course of an international parental abduction. Both parents, as indicated above, must sign passport applications of minors’ under the age of 14. Once an individual reaches 14 years old, a minor may execute his or her own passport application, but must be accompanied by at least one parent to the embassy. At 14, he or she may solely sign the passport application.

Request for Denial of Passport 

When there is controversy concerning the custody of a minor, a passport-issuing office in the United States or a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad may deny issuance of passport to the child(ren) if they receive a court order from a court within the country in which passport services are sought. A parent with a U.S. or foreign court custody order may file at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General, a formal objection to the issuance of a passport to a minor child by submitting a written request together with a certified copy of the custody order or restraining order, contact address and telephone numbers.  The court order must give custody of the child(ren) to the parent who has requested that passport services be denied or must specifically forbid the child(ren)'s departure from the country without the court's permission. The court order must be a complete copy, that is, the copy must contain all of the information on the order, from the venue at the top of the first page or cover to the filing information at the bottom or on the reverse of the last page. Partial copies will not be accepted and no action to deny issuance of a passport can be made on the basis of a partial copy of a court order. 

The parents’ written request should include the following: 

• The child's birth certificate showing his/her full name, date and place of birth and both parents' data; 
• Evidence of the child's U. S. Citizenship, e.g. birth certificate, passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-579), Certification of Birth (Form DS-1350), Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship; 
• Evidence of parents’ identity, e.g. passport, driver's license etc. 

The Department of State will then enter a notice in its computerized name-check system, notify the custodian parent, and deny issuance of passport should an application for the child be received anywhere in the United States or at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.   
 

Please note that once a child's name is entered into the passport name-check system, the name will remain in the system until the child turns eighteen years of age, or, a written request from the custodian parent to remove the child's name from the system, whichever comes first. Even in cases where a passport cannot be denied, parents can be notified if passport applications are submitted in the names of their children. 

Generally, after a passport has been issued, it cannot be revoked merely because the child has become involved in a custody dispute.

In October 1980, the Hague Conference on Private International Law unanimously adopted the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which was signed by the United States on December 23, 1981. The Philippines is not a party to the Convention.  The purpose of this multilateral treaty is to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed from or retained in any country, which is a party to the Convention. The countries that are parties to the Convention have agreed that, subject to certain limited exceptions and conditions, a child who is removed from or retained in one of the signatory countries shall be promptly returned to the other member country where the child habitually resided before the abduction or wrongful retention. The Convention also provides a means for helping parents to exercise visitation rights abroad. There is a treaty obligation to return an abducted child below the age of 16 if application is made within one year from the date of the wrongful removal or retention.  The requesting parent must have been actually exercising custody at the time of the abduction and must not have consented to the removal or retention of the child. There are certain other conditions that must be met as well. 

Further information can be found at www.travel.state.gov and at www.Philippines.usembassy.gov.

How Vulnerable is Your Child?

 
You and your child are most vulnerable when your relationship with the other parent is troubled or broken, the other parent has close ties to another country, and/or the other country has traditions or laws that may be prejudicial against a parent of your gender or to non-citizens in general. However, anyone can be vulnerable.

 
 

 

Some FAQS about Child Abduction

Why doesn’t the Department refer parents to each other?

Privacy Act considerations sometimes limit the information that can be shared about one individual with another, as do other legal considerations. Where parents ask the Department to refer other parents to them, however, the Department will generally do so. It is worth noting that other organizations do a very effective job in helping parents “network” among themselves, and the Department does not see a need to duplicate these efforts. We routinely recommend that parents contact NCMEC, for example, which can provide such referrals.

Why doesn’t the Department work with Interpol to conduct humanitarian visits?

Interpol is an information network among law enforcement agencies. It has proven extremely helpful in locating missing children based on National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) entries. Once a child is located, local law enforcement in a country is responsible for taking follow-up actions on law enforcement-related issues. Interpol Washington can transmit requests to foreign police to locate a child and ascertain his/her welfare, and may include a request that an abducted child be put into protective custody. However, implementation of these requests depends on the local police. Such visits are not a substitute for consular access.

The Department does coordinate with Interpol and local law enforcement in locating missing children. However, the Department will always press for consular access to a child, since such visits are a fundamental aspect of our responsibility for the protection of American citizens abroad. In these visits, moreover, the Department will attempt to facilitate direct, routine communications between the child and the left-behind parent, recognizing that such contact is critical to maintaining a parent/child relationship.

Does the State Department cooperate/consult with International Social Services (ISS) in resolving any of these cases?

The Department works closely with ISS to provide parents and children with required social services—but the role of ISS varies within different countries. The Department is pursuing this issue further in individual countries.

Why doesn’t the Department enforce its right to have a U.S. citizen child extradited to the U.S. from a foreign country?

Extradition involves the return of a criminal to the country in which the crime was committed. Children who are victims of international parental child abduction are not criminals—the taking parents are. While the Department has successfully sought the return of taking parents in a number of cases, either through extradition or other mechanisms, this does not automatically result in the return of the child. In some cases, the taking parent was extradited to, or arrested upon return to, the U.S., but the children remained abroad with relatives. Additionally, some countries will not extradite their own citizens.

For further information refer to www.travel.state.gov.

 
 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THE 2006 U.S. ELECTIONS

 

All American citizens are reminded that 2006 is an election year in the United States.  Overseas citizens are eligible to participate in primary, run-off, and special elections that occur throughout the year, as well as the general elections in November.  A calendar of election dates is available on the Internet at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/primarycal.html.  You are encouraged to register to vote and/or request absentee ballots as early in the year as possible to ensure that you will receive all ballots for which you are eligible.  

 

The following is the basic absentee voting process:

• You complete an application form and send it to local election officials in the U.S.
• The local official approves your request, or contacts you for further information
• The local official sends you an absentee ballot
• You vote the ballot and send it back in time to meet your state's deadline

If the ballot receipt deadline is drawing near, and you have not yet received the blank ballot from local officials, you can download an emergency ballot, write in the names of the candidates and the offices for which they are running, and send it back in time to meet your state's ballot receipt deadline.  The emergency ballot (SF-186, Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, or FWAB) is available on the Internet at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/forms.html.  

 

Registration and ballot request procedures and deadlines vary by state.  Information about your state's procedures is available on the Internet at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag/vagchapter3.html.  Information about your state's registration and voting deadlines is available at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/primarycal.html. 

 

There may be late changes to your state's voting calendar, procedures or deadlines.  When these occur, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) will issue a News Release.  News Releases are available on the Internet at  http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/releases.html.    

 

The official US Government website for overseas absentee voting assistance is the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov.  It has a wealth of information about absentee voting, including the downloadable absentee ballot application (SF-76, Federal Post Card Application, or FPCA).

 
 

 

General Information about Notarial Services

Documents used for legal purposes in the United States may require notarization by a U.S. notarizing officer. The individual who needs to sign the document must appear in person at the American Citizens Services Branch, present proper identification and pay the appropriate fee. A valid passport is required, or, in some circumstances three valid IDs such as a driver's license or other official photo IDs. There is no charge for notarizing documents required by the U.S. government. If witnesses are required, you must bring your own. Do not sign the document until requested to do so by the consular officer. 

Depending on the nature of the document, the notarizing officer will either take an acknowledgement that your signature was done freely and with an understanding of the document's contents, or administer an oath whereby you swear or affirm the contents of a document are true. (Note: Notarizing officers do not certify that the contents of submitted documents are true. An officer only certifies that you have made an oath or affirmation that the contents are true). Notarizing officers are prohibited from offering legal advice on the form or content of documents to be notarized.

Eligibility for Notarial Services

American citizens or other nationals can get documents notarized at the Embassy if the documents will be used in the United States. American citizens can also have documents notarized if the documents will be used in countries with formal U.S. diplomatic relations where the notarial act will be recognized in the country, and/or the notarial act is legally necessary, and/or the document will be used for a well-defined purpose and there is no apparent irregularity.

Refusal of Notarial services

Notarial services may be refused under the following conditions if:

• Prohibited by Treaty or Foreign Law. An applicable treaty or host country law does not authorize performance of the act.
• Prohibited by U.S. Law. The notarial act is for use in a transaction, which is prohibited by U.S. law or by regulation.
• The notarizing officer believes the document will be used for a purpose patently unlawful, improper or inimical to the best interests of the United States.
• The document is blank.
• The individual does not appear to be capable of understanding the nature or language of the instrument.
• The individual is unable to comprehend the significance of the act and/or is acting under duress.
• The individual has invalid, inadequate or insufficient proof of identification.
• The documents have a corporate position or title preprinted on the signature lines and the evidence proving the requestor’s corporate identity or title is lacking or inadequate.
• The service is a medallion signature guarantee. Only authorized financial institutions can affix a medallion imprint.

Definitions and Examples of Notarial/Authentication Acts

Notarial Acts

Affidavit: A written or printed declaration or statement of facts, made voluntarily, and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the person making it, taken before an officer having authority to administer such an oath.

An affidavit such as a Legal Capacity to Marry contains a declaration sworn or affirmed to under penalty of perjury. Affidavits require the personal presence of the individual signing the document in order for the notarizing officer to administer the oath. 

Acknowledgment: To "acknowledge" is to admit, affirm, or declare; to recognize one's acts, assuming obligation or incurring responsibility. For example, if you sign a deed before a notarizing officer, you acknowledge your signature.

An "acknowledgement" is a declaration by an individual before a notarizing officer that an instrument (such as a deed, mortgage, lease, contract for the sale of land, etc.) signed by the individual is the person’s act, and the deed or fact is genuine. The purpose of an acknowledgment is to permit the instrument to be recorded or received in evidence. Acknowledgements require the personal appearance by the individual who signs the document in order to confirm that the document was signed freely and willingly and with full understanding.

Oath: Any form of an attestation by which a person signifies that he or she is bound in conscience to perform an act faithfully and truthfully. A person who intentionally makes false statements under oath before a U.S. consular official is committing perjury

Affirmation: A solemn and formal declaration that an affidavit is true, that the witness will tell the truth, etc.

Attestation: The act of witnessing an instrument in writing, at the request of the party executing the document, and subscribing it as a witness.

Corporate Acknowledgment: Officials of corporations who desire to execute an instrument in their capacity as corporate officials before a consular notarizing officer must present adequate proof of their corporate identity.

Authentications

An authentication is a certification of the genuineness of the signature and seal, or the position of a foreign official, who has previously executed, issued, or certified a document so that a document executed or issued in one jurisdiction may be recognized in another jurisdiction. The Embassy maintains exemplars of the seals and signatures of the host government officials against which documents presented for authentication can be compared.

A consular officer can authenticate the signature of an accredited Philippine notary public on documents for use in the United States only if the notary public is included on the Embassy’s list of accredited notaries public. A consular authentication in no way attests to the authenticity of the contents of a document but merely to the seal and signature of the accredited notary public. For a list of Philippine Notaries Public accredited with the US Embassy, please contact the ACS or go to www.philippines.usembassy.gov.

For more information refer to www.Philippines.usembassy.gov.

 
 

 

Some FAQS About Notarial and Authentication Services

HOW DO YOU GET A DOCUMENT NOTARIZED OVERSEAS?  Notarizing officers at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad can provide a service similar to the functions of a notary public in the United States. It is also possible to have a document notarized by a local foreign notary and then have the document authenticated by a U.S. consular officer.

WHAT IS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CONSULAR PERFORMANCE OF NOTARIAL AND AUTHENTICATIONS SERVICES?  Notarial and authentication services are one of the oldest traditional consular functions. Only persons who meet the definition of "notarizing officer" may notarize documents at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The term "notarizing officer" at a U.S. embassy or consulate includes consular officers, officers of the Foreign Service who are secretaries of embassy or legation and such U.S. citizen employees as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Overseas Citizens Services may designate for the purpose of performing notarial acts overseas.

HOW DO THE NOTARIAL FUNCTIONS OF U.S. CONSULAR OFFICIALS DIFFER FROM THOSE OF A U.S. NOTARY PUBLIC? Like a notary public in the U.S., consular officials perform the usual functions of notaries related to oaths, affidavits and acknowledgments. They also require the personal appearance of the person requesting the notarial service; establish the identity of the person requesting the service; establish that the person understands the nature, language and consequences of the document to be notarized; and establish that the person is not acting under duress. They can perform the notarial service only if it does not come within the purview of the regulatory bases for refusal to provide the notarial service. However only U.S. consular officers can authenticate documents, a governmental act, which is not performed by notaries public in the United States

DO U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES PROVIDE NOTARIAL AND AUTHENTICATION SERVICES FOR NON-U.S. CITIZENS? Yes. These services may be performed for any person regardless of nationality so long as the document in connection with which the notarial/authentication service is required is for use within the jurisdiction of the United States.

WHAT FEES ARE CHARGED FOR CONSULAR NOTARIAL AND AUTHENTICATION SERVICES ABROAD? Effective June 1, 2002, there is a $30.00 fee for the first notarial service requested, and a $20 fee for each additional seal provided at the same time in connection with the same transaction. Also effective June 1, 2002, there is a $30.00 fee for each authentication service provided by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Fees may be paid in cash or by credit card.

CAN A NOTARY PUBLIC FROM THE UNITED STATES PERFORM THAT FUNCTION ABROAD? No. The commission of a notary public is limited to the jurisdiction within the particular state in the U.S. for which the commission was issued. For additional information about notaries in the United States contact the National Notary Association, a Non-Profit Educational Organization, 8236 Remmet Avenue, P.O. Box 7184, Canoga Park, CA 91304-7184, tel: 818-713-4000.

Can Consular officers authenticate documents issued in the United States?  No. Consular officers are not empowered to authenticate public documents issued in the U.S. or abroad. Consular officers do not have access to the records of the issuing office or the seal of the custodian of records. When a certification or authentication of a true copy is requested, please contact the issuing agency, embassy or consulate of the country where the document was issued.

For more information please go to www.travel.state.gov.

 
 

 

New Requirements for Affidavits of Support (I-864)

• Affidavits of Support, I-864s no longer need to be notarized.
• Sponsor’s income must meet the poverty guidelines in effect at the time the I-864 is filed.
• Photocopies of the signed original I-864s are acceptable.
• The I-864 remains valid indefinitely.
• Sponsors need to submit only the Federal tax return for the most recent tax year, current as of the date of the I-864.

 
 

 

“How Do I…?” Apply for U.S. Citizenship?

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked Questions at USCIS

United States citizenship carries many responsibilities with it. The decision to become a US citizen is a very important one. Being granted US citizenship is known as naturalization. In most cases, a person who wants to naturalize must first be a permanent resident. By becoming a U.S. citizen, you gain many rights that permanent residents or others do not have, including the right to vote. To be eligible for naturalization, you must first meet certain requirements set by U.S. law.

What are the Basic Requirements to Apply for Naturalization?

Generally, to be eligible for naturalization you must:

• Be age 18 or older; and
• Be a permanent resident for a certain amount of time (usually 5 years); and
• Be a person of good moral character; and
• Have a basic knowledge of U.S. history, government; and
• Have a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S.; and
• Be able to read, write and speak basic English (With specific exceptions for age and disability).

WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION?

You may be able to apply for naturalization if you are at least 18 years of age and have been a permanent resident of the U.S.:

• For at least 5 years; or
• For at least 3 years during which time you have been, and continue to be, married to living in marriage with your U.S. citizen husband or wife; or
• Have honorable service in the U.S. military.

(Certain spouses of U.S. citizens and members of the military may be able to file for naturalization sooner).

HOW DO I APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION?

To apply for naturalization, file the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400. This form is available online at www.uscis.gov.

To learn more about Naturalization procedures for Military Personnel go to the USCIS website.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Send your application, two photos, documents, and fee to the appropriate Service Center. USCIS will then contact you to begin the formal naturalization process.

This process requires potential new citizens to submit fingerprints and visit a local USCIS office for an interview with an Adjudications Officer. Later, you will also be asked to take the English and U.S. Civics tests. For help preparing, USCIS has created a series of question and answer civics flash cards.

Upon successful completion of these requirements, you will receive a formal decision and a Naturalization Ceremony date, where you will take the Oath of Allegiance and return your Permanent Residency Card.

The “How Do I…?” Section of USCIS Today contains answers to frequently asked questions from USCIS customers. Additional information and more answers are available on the How DO I…? Section at www.USCIS.gov.

 
 

 

U.S. CITIZEN REGISTRATION FORM

Department of State

Foreign Service of the United States of America

Under the Privacy Act of 1974, I hereby authorize that the above information be given to an emergency warden so that I may be contacted in the event of a disaster or general crisis abroad. I also authorize that in the event of such crisis the Department of State may contact all individuals listed here, in the event of medical emergency or death.

SIGNATURE: _______________________________

IMPORTANT!!! We encourage all U.S. citizens in the Philippines to register with the Embassy. Registration is not mandated by law, but is strongly recommended to assist the Embassy in contacting you and/or your relatives in case of emergency. Please return this form to the American Citizen Services (ACS) section of the U.S. Embassy, or thru fax at (02) 522-3242. You may also register online via https://travelregistration.state.gov. All information will be considered private and will not be disseminated.

 
 

WARDEN MESSAGE

April 26, 2006

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.

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New Appointment Policy for Applications for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or First-time Adult Derivative Citizenship

To provide more efficient service to all of our customers, and to minimize the amount of time that applicants need to spend at the Embassy while processing their application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or first-time adult derivative U.S. citizenship, the American Citizen Services (ACS) section is implementing new procedures. Effective May 1, 2006 the ACS section will interview applicants for CRBAs and first-time adult derivative U.S. citizenship by appointment only. 

All applicants for CRBAs and first-time adult derivative U.S. citizenship should submit their completed applications, and supporting documents, to the American Citizen Services section by mail. Appointments will be scheduled only after these applications have been received and reviewed. 

For your convenience the U.S. Embassy has partnered with FEDEX to provide basic information, forms and pick-up/delivery services. Applicants may avail themselves of this service for a nominal fee by calling the Fedex Call Center Exclusive Hotline: (63) (2) 879-4747, 7:30am - 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri, except American and Philippine holidays. Completed applications may also be mailed directly to the American Citizen Services Section, Attn: Passport /Citizenship, U.S. Embassy Manila, 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines

For recorded travel information, call 202-647-5225.

Internet Address: http://travel.state.gov

 
 

Travel Warning

United States Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Washington, DC 20520

PHILIPPINES

June 16, 2006

This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation and reminds Americans of the risks of travel to the Philippines.  Terrorist groups and radical insurgents continue to plan multiple attacks throughout the Philippines. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Philippines dated March 23, 2005.

The Department of State urges American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to the Philippines and continues to warn against all but essential travel throughout the country in light of heightened threats to Westerners. The Department also continues to urge Americans who choose to travel to the Philippines to observe vigilant personal security precautions, and to remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks, including those against U.S. citizens.  Terrorist groups, including Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group, continue to plan multiple attacks throughout the Philippines, as do some radical insurgents who have broken away from Moro groups. Explosive devices have been placed in shopping malls, on public transportation, at airports and port facilities, in places of worship, and in other public areas resulting in numerous casualties and deaths. No area of the Philippines is immune from the possibility of a terrorist attack, although the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are particularly affected. One of three bombs that exploded on February 14, 2005 was planted on a bus near an upscale commercial district of Makati, Metro Manila, killing four people. In December 2005, the U.S. Embassy closed its public services for two days in response to threat information. Travelers should be aware that since security has increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists might seek softer targets.  Such targets could include, but are not limited to, places where Americans and other Westerners might live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, beach resorts, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events.

The Department strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Manila through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. 632-528-6300. The Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number is 632-522-3242 and the ACS web page is at http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwhmain.html.

Americans can obtain information on travel and security in the Philippines from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States; or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

U.S. citizens should also consult the recent Public Announcement for the Philippines, the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for the Philippines and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, located at http://travel.state.gov/ to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Philippines. 

Public Announcement

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
Office of the Spokesman

Worldwide Caution

June 06, 2006

This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas.  This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated December 12, 2005 and expires on December 6, 2006.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.  Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.  The publication in the international press of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, for example, led to widespread demonstrations and riots in several countries.  

The March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, illustrates the continuing desire of al-Qa’ida to strike official American targets.  Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.  These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings. 

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target private interests or “soft targets” with a reduced security posture.     Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays.  Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 is one such example. 

In the wake of the July 2005 London bombings and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems.  In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets. 

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.  For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.  These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture.  In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.  Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

 

 
 

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Washington, DC 20520

For recorded travel information, call 202-647-5225

Internet Address: http://travel.state.gov

Consular Information Sheet

Philippines

June 19, 2006

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Philippines is a developing nation with a democratic system of government, located in Southeast Asia. The archipelago consists of more than 7,000 islands, of which 880 are inhabited. The major island groupings are Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the center, and Mindanao in the south. Tourist facilities are available within population centers and the main tourist areas. English is widely spoken in the Philippines, and most signs are in English.

Read the Department of State Background Notes on The Philippines at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines without a visa upon presentation of their U.S. passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry into the Philippines, and a return ticket to the United States or an onward ticket to another country. Upon your arrival, immigration authorities will annotate your passport with an entry visa valid for 21 days. If you plan to stay longer than 21 days, you must apply for an extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation's main office at Magallanes Drive; Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, or at any of its provincial offices (http://www.immigration.gov.ph).

Persons who overstay their visas are subject to fines and detention by Philippine immigration authorities. American citizens are urged to remain aware of their visa status while in the Philippines and to follow immigration laws and regulations strictly. Travelers departing the country from international airports must pay a Passenger Service Charge in Philippine Pesos. For further information on entry/exit requirements, please contact the Embassy of the Philippines at: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 (telephone: (202) 467-9300), or one of the Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco) or via the Internet at http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org.

Special requirements exist for the entry of unaccompanied minors.  In an effort to prevent international child abduction, the Philippine government requires that a waiver of exclusion be obtained from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate or from the Bureau of Immigration and Detention in Manila for a child under 15 years of age who plans to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by either a parent or legal guardian prior to the child's entry into the Philippines.

See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on the Philippines and other countries.

Find more information about Entry and Exit Requirements pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction. Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about customs regulations.

SAFETY/SECURITY:  The Department urges Americans who choose to travel to the Philippines to observe vigilant personal security precautions, and remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks, including those against U.S. citizens. Americans are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy.   The Department warns against all but essential travel throughout the country in light of heightened threats to Westerners.  Explosive devices have been placed in shopping malls, on public transportation, at airports and port facilities, in places of worship, and in other public areas resulting in numerous casualties and deaths. No area of the Philippines is immune from the possibility of a terrorist attack, although the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are particularly affected. One of three bombs that exploded on February 14, 2005 was planted on a bus near an upscale commercial district of Makati, Metro Manila, killing four people. In December 2005, the Embassy closed its public services for two days in response to threat information. Travelers should be aware that since security has increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists could seek softer targets.  Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners might live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, beach resorts, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events.

The Philippine government has been engaged in negotiations with Communist and Muslim insurgent groups. Nonetheless, terrorist activity and armed banditry in certain areas of the Philippines still pose security concerns. The Communist Party of the Philippines and its terrorist military arm, the New People's Army, operate throughout the country and have issued public threats against U.S. citizens and interests in the Philippines. 

In Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, kidnappings, bombings, violence, and insurgent activity make travel hazardous in many areas. The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which the U.S. Government has designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, has kidnapped several Americans and other foreign tourists since April 2000. Some were freed after payment of substantial ransoms, some escaped or were rescued by military action, and some were killed. Other kidnapping gangs operate in the same general area and have abducted a number of foreigners for ransom.

Operatives of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which the U.S. Government has also designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, are present in the Philippines as well. JI is an extremist group linked to al-Qaeda and other regional terrorist groups and has cells operating throughout Southeast Asia. Extremist groups in the region have demonstrated a capability to carry out transnational attacks in locations where Westerners congregate. Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.

U.S. citizens and interests may be at increased risk from terrorist actions by foreign or domestic extremist groups in the Philippines. There are periodic reports of plans for possible terrorist acts aimed at U.S. Government facilities or personnel, public and private institutions, and transportation carriers. The U.S. Embassy takes all such threats seriously. The State Department reminds all Americans traveling or living abroad of the need to remain vigilant with regard to personal security issues and to always follow basic and important security countermeasures: do not establish a pattern or routine in movement and travel; vary the times and routes taken to the extent possible; maintain a low profile; and immediately report any unusual activity, to include possible surveillance, to the Philippine Police and the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy.

In February 2006, the President of the Philippines declared a State of National Emergency due to reported political destabilization efforts by elements in the military, political opposition, and Communist Party of the Philippines after reports of a coup attempt. While the President lifted the State of National Emergency after one week, American citizens should avoid areas of new political demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Americans residing or traveling in the Philippines should also always remain aware of their surroundings, listen to news reports, and ensure that travel documents are current. 

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Travelers are also encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila at tel. (63) (2) 528-6300 for an update of the current security situation, especially if planning to travel outside the Metro Manila area.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME INFORMATION: As in many of the major metropolitan areas in the United States, crime is a serious concern in Metro Manila. As a rule of thumb, Americans should exercise good judgment and remain aware of their surroundings. Reports of confidence games, pick-pocketing, and credit card fraud are common. Be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to befriend you, especially just after you have arrived in country. A number of recent robberies and assaults involving the “date rape drug” (known locally as Ativan) have occurred; the drug is generally administered to unwitting male and female visitors via food or drink. It is best not to accept food, drink, or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even if they appear legitimate. There have been several kidnappings and violent assaults of foreigners in the Metro Manila area. There have also been reports of gunmen robbing foreign passengers in vehicles traveling to and from the international airport.

Taxis are the recommended form of public transportation.  However, the following safeguards are important: do not enter a taxi if it has already accepted another passenger; and, request that the meter be used. If the driver is unwilling to comply with your requests, it is best to wait for another cab. It is also a good idea to make a mental note of the license plate number should there be a problem. When driving in the city, make certain that the doors are locked and the windows rolled up. All other forms of public transportation, such as the light rail system, buses, and “jeepneys” should be avoided for both safety and security reasons.

Visitors should also be vigilant when using credit cards. One common form of credit card fraud involves the illicit use of an electronic device to retrieve and record information, including the PIN, from the card's magnetic strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized purchases. To limit your vulnerability to this scam, never let your card out of your sight.

A continuing problem is the commercial scam or sting that attempts to sell or to seek negotiation of fraudulent U.S. securities. Visitors and residents should be wary when presented with supposed Federal Reserve Notes or U.S. securities for sale or negotiation. For further information, consult the Federal Reserve System's Web site at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/SRLETTERS/2003/sr0314.htm.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: Americans should report immediately the loss or theft of a U.S. passport in the Philippines to the local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. If you are the victim of other crimes while in the Philippines, in addition to reporting to local police, Americans may contact the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit, which can for example, provide lists of doctors or lawyers, contact family members or friends, and explain how to transfer funds from the U.S. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of Philippine authorities, U.S. consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and find an attorney if needed.

See our information for Victims of Crime.

The Philippines has a victim compensation program to provide financial compensation to victims of violent or personal crime and of unjust imprisonment. Information may be obtained from the Philippine Department of Justice at 011-632-521-6264 or via the Internet at http://www.doj.gov.ph/.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Adequate medical care is available in major cities in the Philippines, but even the best hospitals may not meet the standards of medical care, sanitation, and facilities provided by hospitals in the United States. Medical care is limited in rural and more remote areas. Most hospitals will require a down payment of estimated fees in cash at the time of admission.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost several or even tens of thousands of dollars. A list of doctors and medical facilities in the Philippines is available on the web page of the U.S. Embassy in Manila at http://philippines.usembassy.gov.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, please consult the World Heath Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.  Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Philippines is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Travel within the Philippine archipelago is possible by boat, plane, bus, or car. Few tourists rent a car to drive, as the road system is crowded and drivers are undisciplined. Driving off the national highways and paved roads is particularly dangerous, especially at night, and should be avoided. To avoid overcrowded or unsafe transport, exercise caution in planning travel by older, inter-island ferryboats, or other public conveyances.

For specific information concerning Philippine driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. at tel. (202) 467-9300 or one of the Philippine consulates in the United State (Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco) or via the Internet at http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org. Please see also related information from the Philippine Department of Tourism at http://www.tourism.gov.ph and http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Philippine Government as being in compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of the Philippines' air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Marriage in the Philippines: The Philippine Government requires foreigners who wish to marry in the Philippines to obtain from the U.S. Embassy a “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” before filing an application for a marriage license. Because there is no national register of marriages in the United States, the U.S. Embassy cannot provide such a certification.  As a result, the Philippine Government will accept an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” in its place. Americans may execute this affidavit at the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., except for Philippine or American holidays. The American must present his/her U.S. passport. There is a fee of $30.00 or its peso equivalent for the affidavit. Philippine authorities will not accept any substitute document issued in the United States. Before traveling to the Philippines to be married, U.S. military personnel should contact their personnel office regarding Department of Defense joint service regulations.

Execution of the affidavit by a U.S. consular officer is a notarial act and the consular officer is authorized by U.S. law to refuse to perform the service if the document will be used for a purpose patently unlawful, improper, or inimical to the best interests of the United States (see 22 C.F.R. section 92.9b). Entering into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is an unlawful act, and the U.S. Code provides penalties for individuals who commit perjury in an affidavit taken by a consular officer. Relationship fraud is a persistent problem in the Philippines, and it is not uncommon for Filipinos to enter into marriages with Americans solely for immigration purposes. Relationships developed via correspondence, particularly those begun on the Internet, are particularly susceptible to manipulation.

The Marriage Application Process: Once an American citizen has obtained from the U.S. Embassy an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage,” he/she may file an application for a marriage license at the office of the Philippine Civil Registrar in the town or city where one of the parties is a resident. The U.S. citizen applicant must present: (a) the affidavit; (b) divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s), if applicable (required to verify civil status and legal capacity to contract marriage); (c) his/her U.S. passport; and (d) documentation regarding parental consent or advice, if applicable. (Persons aged 18 to 21 must have written parental consent to marry in the Philippines; those aged 22 to 24 must have received parental advice. Philippine law prohibits marriage for persons under the age of 18.) A judge, a minister, or other person authorized by the Philippine Government can perform the marriage.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen confers neither citizenship nor an automatic eligibility for entry to the United States.  A foreign spouse requires an immigrant visa to live in the United States. Questions about filing a petition to bring a foreign spouse to the United States may be directed to the nearest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service office, to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Office (telephone: (202) 663-1225) or, while in the Philippines, to the U.S. Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit at http://philippines.usembassy.gov.

Disaster Preparedness: The Philippines is a volcano-, typhoon- and earthquake-prone country. From May to December, typhoons and flash floods often occur. Flooding can cause road delays and cut off bridges. Typhoons in the vicinity of the Philippines can interrupt air and sea links within the country. Volcanic activity is frequent, and periodically the Philippine Government announces alerts for specific volcanoes. Updated information on volcanoes in the Philippines is available at the following Web sites: http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ and http://volcanoes.usgs.gov . Earthquakes can also occur throughout the country. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) at http://ndcc.gov.ph/ndcc/ and from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.

Customs: Philippine customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from the Philippines of items such as firearms and currency. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. or one of the Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco) for specific information regarding customs requirements. Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in the Philippines; transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2004/2004_Special_301/Section_Index.html. Please see our information on customs regulations.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.

Persons violating Philippines laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Philippines are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  Capital punishment is possible for certain drug-related crimes.  Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.  Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.

Under the Protect Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to travel to a foreign country to engage in criminal sexual activity or to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country. It is important to note that under the new legislation, the act of illicit sexual conduct is sufficient to violate the law - the intent to travel for the purpose of engaging in the criminal sexual activity does not need to be proven. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct means: (1) a sexual act with a person under 18 years of age that would be illegal in the United States or (2) any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18.

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration arrests several Americans each year on immigration charges of “undesirability,” sometimes based solely on complaints arising from personal or business disputes in the Philippines. Frequently, these detainees cannot be deported and/or released from custody until substantial fines are paid and any underlying criminal charges are resolved – a process that sometimes takes months or even years.

Fraud, swindling, and “bad debts” are also serious criminal offenses in the Philippines, as is the illegal recruitment of Philippine citizens for employment overseas. Several Americans are currently serving lengthy prison sentences for illegal recruitment activities. The Philippine Government also has strict laws against the possession of firearms, and several foreigners have been sentenced to life imprisonment for bringing firearms into the country. Americans who are arrested overseas should immediately ask to contact a U.S. Embassy representative.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Under Philippine law, the mother and father of a child are held to exercise parental control jointly, and child custody cases are considered civil disputes. Parental abduction is not a crime. The Philippines is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. For specific information on child custody cases in the Philippines, please consult the web page of the U.S. Embassy in Manila at http://philippines.usembassy.gov.

For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues website.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULAR AGENCY LOCATION: The Department encourages Americans living in or visiting the Philippines to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Philippines. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of an emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. (63)(2) 528-6300. The Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number is (63)(2) 522-3242 and the ACS web page is at http://philippines.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu provides limited services for U.S. citizens. The Consular Agency address is: Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City, tel. (63) (32) 231-1261.

The Virtual Consulate Davao (http://www.usvirtualconsulatedavao.org.ph) provides targeted information and services of interest to Americans residing in or traveling to Davao. The Virtual Consulate supports email correspondence for queries from American citizens. Regularly scheduled "chat" sessions also allow Americans to interact in real time with the American Citizens Services personnel at the U.S. Embassy.

* * * 
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 26, 2005, to update entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime information, aviation safety oversight and criminal penalties and Registration/Embassy and Consular Agency Location.

SOURCE:     Comrade -  Joe Godfrey Sr.    via email dated    Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:11:38 +0800