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Friday, October 31, 2008

DFA Red Ribbon



What is a DFA Red Ribbon?
Why is a DFA Red Ribbon important?
How can I get a DFA Red Ribbon?
How much does a DFA Red Ribbon cost?
How long does it take to get a DFA Red Ribbon?

DFA = “Department of Foreign Affairs”

A DFA Red Ribbon is simply and literally a red ribbon wrapped around your paper(s). It signifies that your papers are Authentic Philippine Documents. In most countries, your Philippine documents are not considered as valid if it doesn't have a red ribbon from the DFA. The red ribbon is a proof or an authentication.

For example, if you are using your NSO Birth Certificate just INSIDE the Philippines, you don't NEED a red ribbon for it. But if you are using your NSO Birth Certificate OUTSIDE the Philippines, then you NEED a red ribbon for it. For example, papers that need red ribbon when I applied for a German Spouse Visa were the NSO Birth Certificate and the NSO Certificate of Marriage.

Unfortunately, you can only get the red ribbon at DFA Manila. I lived in Cebu so what I did was ask for help in a Travel Agency, give them an authorization letter, and let them do the work. So I really have no idea with the actual processing of the paper at DFA Manila. I think if you process yourself, it would only cost about 300 Pesos or less (I am not sure just a rough estimate from what I have read or heard). I paid 1900 Pesos in the Travel Agency per document and I received my Certificate of Marriage with Red Ribbon from DFA after 3 weeks.

Now you are probably wondering why is it so expensive. In my opinion, 1900 Pesos for a single paper is really very expensive. But considering that I was not living in Manila, it would be much easier and hassle-free rather than I go to Manila. If you process the paper yourself you have to book a 2-way ticket from your place to Manila. You have to fall in line, and maybe wait for your number or whatever the procedures are. If something is wrong with your papers or the DFA needed some additional/supporting papers but you don't have it, you forgot to bring it or you need to process this additional paper in your hometown then it would be a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! In addition, it would also be possible that you can't get your paper the same day. Maybe you can only get your paper the next day, or after 1 week, who knows? And so if that happens, you have to book a room in a hotel and so on...
So what you think? 1900 Pesos or process it yourself? ^_^

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69 comments:

Anonymous said...

you could have went to DHL for the red ribbon. it costs so much less. you've been robbed.

EditorPinoy said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you for your comment.
And yes, I think your right that it would cost lesser if I went to DHL.

Considering that I am from Cebu here are my thoughts:
1. A 2-way plane ticket from Cebu to Manila cost more than 1900 Pesos.
2. If I go to Manila, can I really get my Document(s) with the Red Ribbon the same day?
3. If not (from #2), I have to book for a room or inn where I could rest and wait for another day. Therefore another expense for TIME and MONEY.
4. (from #3) Can I really get my paper(s) the next day?
5. I don't have any connections at DFA Manila, the Travel Agency have.
6. The Travel Agency did all the work for me, while I continue working with my business.
7. If I went for DHL, how can I track my very important Paper(s)? How will I know that it is already in the hands of DFA? Who can I call for follow-up? Several long distance phone calls from Cebu to Manila?

Just my P0.02 ^_^

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I am also from Cebu. May I know what travel agency you used? I am also very busy and can't process the papers myself.

Thanks.

EditorPinoy said...

Hello Reiza,

Thanks for visiting my site ^_^

The Agency is: JEWEL SKIES Travel & Tours located in Lahug (I think Jeepney 04L still go in this route). It is located just near Ayala Center (Metro Ayala Entrance).

Hope this helps. ^_^

Anonymous said...

Hi!

I have mine done by wow travel & more at lower charge.It's located in 1st level elizabeth mall (fronting chowking) tel 2590944. I understand they have several branches in cebu, 1 i think is in robinsons.Good service, i think it was done just more than a week.

Linda

EditorPinoy said...

Thanks for the info Linda ^_^

Anonymous said...

Hi Gurl,

I am not just waiting for my NSO copies of my marriage contract. I have a few questions though.

When do you need the DFA red ribbon? I was at the German Embassy and they just mentioned the NSO copy, and on the website, it said, YOU MAY NOT submit a DFA red ribbon copy. Do i really need to get one for the Visa filing? or is this just for contingencies?

Second. the CFO Seminar, when will you be asked to have this? which process will require you? Since the German Embssy does not have this on their list as well. :)

Thanks a lot in advance for answering ;)

ClavZ*

EditorPinoy said...

Hi clavz,

From the 2nd paragraph of this post: "For example, if you are using your NSO Birth Certificate just INSIDE the Philippines, you don't NEED a red ribbon for it. But if you are using your NSO Birth Certificate OUTSIDE the Philippines, then you NEED a red ribbon for it. For example, papers that need red ribbon when I applied for a German Spouse Visa were the NSO Birth Certificate and the NSO Certificate of Marriage"

If they said that you may not submit a DFA red ribbon copy than I guess its fine since the words came from the embassy itself. No Red Ribbon might be okay for Visa Processing BUT... You might have problems extending your visa and other papers when you are here in Germany. Believe me, everytime I process my papers here, they always ask for a Red Ribbon (and a German translation of my Philippine Papers).

Regarding CFO, please Read Here

The German Embassy don't need the CFO-SMEF-COW BUT the Philippine Government requires you to have this.

Hope this helps ^_^

Anonymous said...

HI,

Just wanna ask u that when ur husband applied for legal capacity in Germany did he ask u a lot of papers (BC, Cenomar, and some other identification paper) so that he can get that?
thanks

EditorPinoy said...

Hi Anonymous,

thanks for visiting my site. For more information about Legal Capacity, please read the link below:

Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis”)

Hope this helps ^_^

Anonymous said...

hi,
may i ask if wat to do in visiting or tourist visa to germany?,,i have a friend there then he want me to go there but i dont know wat are the requirements and how much is the charges,,may i have ur idea plz....thank u sooo much

EditorPinoy said...

Hello Anonymous,

Unfortunately, I have no experiences about Tourist Visa which I could draw from. The best information that you could read from is the official website of the German Embassy in the Philippines.
German Embassy ManilaHope this helps ^_^
German Spouse Visa Cook Book

Anonymous said...

Hello po Kuya Pinoy in Germany:)

Musta po kayo? Itatanong ko lang po sana, saan po ba location ng Cebu Regional Trial Court. Kailangan po pala ng certification mula sa RTC ng Affidavit of Parental Advice and Civil Status para pagkuha ng DFA red ribbon? Iyon kc sabi ng agency. Tapos ang CENOMAR din ay dapat certified ng LCR?
Thanks po..YOur reply will be greatly appreciated.
God bless..

EditorPinoy said...

Hi Anonymous,

Location of CRTC is in Jones, it is also known as "Kapitol" or "Kapitolyo". Sorry I don't know the complete address, you can try to google it.

For Affidavit of Parental Advice and Civil Status, YES you need the certification from RTC.

For CENOMAR, I don't know what you mean about LCR.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
Dami ko nalalaman dito.Pero may tanung pa din ako,im Salve pala from Denmark.As of now hinihintay nalang ng parents ko ang akong birth at cenomar from NSO.Pero hindi ko alam na kelangan pa pala yan ipa red ribbon,ano po ba dapat kong gawin?Hoping for your kind response.

Anonymous said...

TAga bohol diay ko kuya..THAnks in advance.Salve

EditorPinoy said...

Hi Salve,

I would suggest that you go to an agency which caters DFA Red Ribbon processing. That way you will save Time and Money. DFA Red Ribbon processing can only be done in Manila.

Anonymous said...

Do you have a list of Agency so my niece can go directly? And how much would the agency charge? Do they charge per page or per document type?

Appreciate reply.

Anonymous said...

hi im ronalyn from ilocos just emmail me..phengkzpichay@yahoo.com how many days will be done processing the red ribbon because my mom really need it..reply me asap..please

EditorPinoy said...

@Anonymous
For the Red Ribbon processing, I went to Jewel Skies Cebu.

@Anonymous
15 working days in my experience.

mickey said...

mickey said...
hi! i just want ti ask when you first got your spouse visa. were you allowed to go to the neighboring countries? or is your visa allowed only in germany? is it also like the tourist visa?

Anonymous said...

For everybody,about sa redribbon is done in DFA manila only..so you need to have Local Birth,NSO,Cenomar for redribbon..set nana xa na documents.i preferred to recommend you for redribbon in any DHL Branch..they processing redribbon then much cheaper and faster..its cost only 600 for the redribbon for your local Birth,NSO,Cenomar.it tkes only 7-10days...agency is more expensive...thanks

Anonymous said...

as far as i know all NSO papers dont need to be authenticated(red ribbon) by the DFA.

mausi

Anonymous said...

nso dont need redribbon if you only use in the phils..but in outside phils.yes..its needed.

Anonymous said...

i used it outside philippines, in germany. NSO documentS in Secpa paper doesnt need to be authenticated by the DFA.

EditorPinoy said...

Just FYI... During the time I processed my papers, they asked me for a Red Ribbon though my papers are already in SECPA (SECurity PAper if I am not mistaken). So it is really good to always ask the embassy directly or visit their website as requirements change from time to time. Even after 1 month or maybe 1 week...

Anonymous said...

hi
I and my fiancee are so confused now, i want to ask if there is A German Embassy in Cebu? or German Embassy sub-office maybe?
thank you so much

Lucy said...

Please check the website of the German Embassy for the updates or new requirements regarding visa.

http://www.manila.diplo.de/Vertretung/manila/en/01/Visabestimmungen/Visaverfahren__und__downloads.html

Strictly follow what is written in their website. So you won't have difficulty in processing your appointment.

During my appointment, I have seen some applicants who did not follow the simple instructions. Such as failing to bring a 2x2 or passport photo as specified in their website.

Not only you will save time, but also you won't be making the Embassy officer mad at you.

Kung anong nakalagay doon sa website nila, yon lang din ang gagawin niyo. Kung hindi nakastate na kailangan ang "red ribbon", and they only need the NSO birth certificate or marriage certificate, then you should provide it. Don't make simple things difficult for you. The instructions in their website is very easy to understand. Now if you still don't understand what is stated there, better call them.

CONTACT DETAILS OF THE EMBASSY
The Visa Section of the German Embassy can be contacted via the following telephone numbers:
Tel.: 702 3001 to 3006
Visa-Fax: (0063 2) 702 3045
The office hours of the Embassy are: Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Visiting hours for the visa section are: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Last but not the least, read the instructions carefully and thoroughly again and again so as to make sure that you have complied all.

My 2 cents...Hope this helps.

Anonymous said...

hi im melannie and im getting married soon with a german national we both working as an expatriate here in the mideast... concerning about the documents needed for marriage, my fiancee needs my single paper to get his so when my documents are ready we have to send them to germany and the german office send it back to the german embassy in manila to prove that it is ginuine and they sent me again another paper here in the mid east containing questions where i reside in the philippines from birth to my 15 years of age.. so i signed the paper , we send to the germany and our agent send it back to manila... we also tranlated all my documents in german language but we were so diappointed coz they dont need it since all my documents is all in english... we just wasted time and until now we havent recieve yet his single paper that the agent told us that it will take for 6 mos. Now, we are requesting if the process can be done lesser than 6 mos because i think my single paper is only valid for six mos...



About the tourist or visiting visa, i went in germany for 10 days only. the embassy requires a travel insurance , certificate of employment , bank statement of account for the past 3 mos and invitation from your friend or husband living in germany... this are very strong document because they want to make sure that you are coming back to your country and not to run away in germany...LOL upon arriving in the airport the security will detain you for a couple of minutes ...but when i showed them my invitation (1 piece coloured paper) the security told me that glad i brought this one coz this is a very big help.... they just want to make sure that you have a relatives or friends living there coz there is a lot of human traffic in Germany. One filipino was with me in the airport and they were asking him what will he do there, where is his job, does he have a residence and a lot of chubackers..... germans are very strict sometimes conflicted.

Spectra said...

is there an expiration for red ribboned documents?

Anonymous said...

hello po ask ko lng po napepeke ba ang red ribbon..pano kong d ka tapos ng high school at peke ang diploma at tor mo ibig sabihin d kana makapag abroad?

EditorPinoy said...

@spectra
I believe no but just ask the DFA to confirm.

hotel in bandung said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hallo.Guten Tag! .Im Melody from davao just want to ask I'm now getting my documents para sa visa application ko. I and my fiancee plan to get married there... What are the papers should i send to him.. Hope to hear from you!!!

Anonymous said...

i just want to ask wht is the colour of transcript of record

Anonymous said...

it depends on your school/university..

Anonymous said...

i need to get my NSO birth certificate with the DFA red ribbon but im in abroad, what should i do...

Anonymous said...

wanna ask does a red ribbon has an expiration date???
i had my requirements in red ribbon for almost a year...and i wanted to apply abroad, is it still valid?

Anonymous said...

i wanna share sa inyu last august 2010 nag aply ako nag fiance visa some of my classmate dapdat daw i red ribbon ang mga documents ... i call up the embassy kung dapat ba mag red riboon sa mya doucument they told hindi na dapat i pass all my doucmetnd with out red reibbon huwag na kayu mag pa red ribbon sayang ang bayd nin yu ! gusto ninyu u can call or imail sa embassy right now im here in germany

Anonymous said...

my birth certificate is wrong, my moms middle name is Dizon but its written Bautista they already use my Dad's lastname.. so parang magkapatid lang sila..

Meron na po akong affidavit na nagpapatunay na si Bautista at Dizon ay iisa lang.. Na xa un mom ko.. its been notarize already. ask ko lang kung need pa pong i pa red ribbon?

Anonymous said...

Hello! My brother wanted to get married in Italy with his gf which is filipina also, he wanted me to have their documents in red ribbon, is it needed to include their baptismal and confirmation cert. be red ribbonized? Do i need to have an authorization from them? Thank you and hope to hear your advise....

Anonymous said...

hello,im processing my citizenship here in turkey but i need red ribbon from dfa.is my friend can procees in dfa?is it need authorization from me?

Anonymous said...

hello for sure give your anthorization if i were you wow philipines na agency mo ipa red redribbon cheaper lan gsa kanila or yung frined mo mismo ang pupunt asa dfa manila kung nasa cebu ka sa wow philipines sa elizabeth mall . or sa robinson cebu

Patlaine said...

Hi! Im offering visa application assistance specially for fiance and spouse. I am NOT a travel agent nor owner of a travel agency. I am just also a filipina like many here that is married with a German guy. I have done my own visa application and took me only 1 and half month to get my family reunion visa(spouse visa) after our wedding. I have heard from one of my classmate in goethe that he paid 40,000.00 (fourty thousand pesos) just for visa assistance and i think that is too much. I may not be able to do every duty as a travel agent would do for you but i can assure you to give the best of my knowledge with visa application specially i have done this my self. If you have any questions with regards to the fee and any other infos or would want to avail for my service, pls email me at patlaine_19@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I would like to know if the family status certificate is really needed for the application of marriage in the Philippines , where will I obtain this certificate? My fiancee is a German national, he told me to to secure this certificate...where will i get it? I hope you can answer my question and help me... thank you very much, HEDI

Anonymous said...

Hi,I am planning to get a red ribbon authentication from the DFA.But my name in my marriage certificate is spelled wrong...,can i still use it as my supporting document since I have my birth certificate corrected already proving that corrections have been made.With my B.C. corrected..,need I still get an affidavit?Hope to get a prompt and favoreable response from you.Thank you and More Power!!!

Anonymous said...

hi .any body can help me for my Birth cert.and marriage cert.for red ribbon in DFA?how much po un?how many days taken before i recieved?thanksssssssss..

Anonymous said...

kung magpa red ribbon po ba s high school diploma san po mag diretso na office??meron din ba dito s davao nyan?o need to travel to manila pa??pls rply po..thanks

Anonymous said...

just go to DHL, much easier, no need to worry if your important docs will be lost, tested na po yun, lahat ng docs ko, elementary, high school, college, nso, police clearance, PRC, certificate of employment were processed by DHL. Subrang mura pa, 1,900 is too much, natatawa lang ako, you've been robbed definitely. Lahat ng kaklase ko DHL na pumunta.,

Anonymous said...

meron po bang expiration ang mga pinared red ribbon na documents? salamat po!

Anonymous said...

Euro Language Center located at 105 Ganzon-Olan Bldg., F. Llamas St., Punta Princesa, Cebu City with phone number 5126202 is also processing Red Ribbon Authentication aside from A2 German and Dutch Classes.

aivy said...

regarding DHL authentication, how do they process the documents. can you please give me more info about this, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hi ask klang sana f one month is jaz enaf to finish the mariage here n phil.cuz my bf have only one month liv from his work
thanks

Unknown said...

hello ,i belong to cotabato.and i give to some one 10000 pesos and document for married contract and red rebon .and he say i will give you that paper after 3 week.so i agree.and i have plan to go Pakistan,so how i can go Pakistan ..please tell me,
i make married contract with Pakistani.how i can go Pakistan,
thank you
badria pakan mamasubaloud

Anonymous said...

hi ! Im an OFW in Dubai and i need to have DFA Authenticated Certificate of Non-Marriage (cert. of singleness) and DFA Authenticated NSO Birth Certificate as my requirement for my application in Marriage in Dubai Consulate. How can I get those?

Anonymous said...

Hi po si Cherie po ito nang Germany bago kulng po nalaman na kailangan pala ang birth certificate pa redribon ,tanung sana po ako panu po ba ako maka contact by online DFA redribon or may agency po bang pweding contakin para mag pagawa sana ako nang certify redribon certificate kasi kailangan ko po sa change status ko pag punta namin nang husband ko sa Berlin ,kasi ang layo samin province pa nang Iloilo kung sakali ipa proces kupa sakapated sa Iloilo , gusto kulng sana malaman po kung anung agency ang pweding contakin kung mag pagawa po ako nang ridrebon certificate ,I hope you can answer my question and help me... Thank you; Cherie

Anonymous said...

Hi good morning...I am a curious person about your topic...can you tell how do I make the red ribbon tru dhl..jow lpng does it take also?

Anonymous said...

hi, we do process DFA red ribbon. if interested, you may email us at infoagetravels@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

http://www.pakisuyo.com/

Anonymous said...

Hallo, I just want to share about red ribbon, i think you dont need a red ribbon if your Documents are from NSO like the birth or CENOMAR. But if you still want to be sure you can tell your German bf or Fiancee to go to the Standesamt Registry office to ask about the red ribbon if it is really necessary. I also did my Fiancee papers and i did not do the red ribbon coz it is not required.

Anonymous said...

It's funny that the Philippines, a very poor country with an extremely corrupt system of gov't., requires more documents from their own people who have chosen to leave their motherland for greener pastures. It is as if the gov't. doesn't want them to succeed by knit-picking migrant workers or would-be immigrants for these unnecessary procedures and/or documents. Red ribbon....really? Foreign gov't agencies DO NOT acknowledge these types of documents as "authentic" when they know that these can easily be counterfeited. It is just for the Flip gov't wanting to look like somebody of importance. But in reality, it is another way for them crooks to take your money when it isn't mandatory to have these red ribbon. It is a scare tactic to segway the conversation into asking them to do you a favor for a fee (bribe) with buzzwords or phrases like, "expedite" or "ibang paraan para matapos" (any other way to handle this so we can move forward?)

Unknown said...

hallo guten tag, ask kulang po, kahit wla kang bachelor degree, but u know how to speak German is there possible po bah na makaka punta ako sa Germany kc were planning to get married here in Philippines po

Unknown said...

Guten Morgan. Do I need all my papers to be done with red ribbon in DFA?

Unknown said...

I have my Marriage certificate from NSO, Do I need my birth certificate also? And all papers are need to have red ribbon?

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I'm here in Germany and me and my bf plans to get married here.. sabi sa Phil embassy Berlin needed pa daw magpa red ribbon, ok lang kaya kung di na? Thanks my phone ka ba? Pwd pahingi need some advice.
My email ash782015@gmail.com

Salamay

avles said...

Hello,
in the Red Ribbon certificate of my wife, she appears still with her single name, middle and surname. It an error or this is the law?
Thanks for an eventual answer.
Edoardo

Yam Arreg said...

Good Day!

May I ask for you assistance of what to do If I found my Red ribbon that there’s an error in the the attachment specifically in some dating in my CAV. You said that no loose paper should be accepted if its not in the Ring Eyelet. After I found out the error I immediately ask for the correction of my CAV in our University Registrar then they made a corrected CAV. So May I ask again what to do, since i was outside on our country. Thank you so much. I’m Looking forward to hear it from you.

Unknown said...

Helo po pwede po mag ask?

Unknown said...

Kung magpared ribbon ba ng birth at cenomar same time isa lang ba na certification ang ibigay.. . Kc i authorized someone na magparedribbon .. i just wonder why isa lang na certification ang binigay and ang copy lang ng cenomar ang ibinalik pero ang birth hindi na..

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