11 Reasons why I prefer Travel Agencies to process my DFA Red Ribbon papers

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This post is a response to an anonymous person who commented that "you could have went to DHL for the red ribbon. it costs so much less. you've been robbed." You can see his/her comment here - DFA Red Ribbon.

First of all, I would like to clarify that the only location where you can get a DFA Red Ribbon is at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. Second, I lived in Cebu City so I have 2 options to process the papers: ask help from a Travel Agency and pay 1900 Pesos (or any agency that helps you process your papers) or process the papers myself.

Considering that I lived in Cebu City, here are my reasons:

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(s). Therefore another waste of TIME and MONEY.
4. (from #3) Can I really get my papers the next day?
5. I don't have any connections at the DFA in Manila, the Travel Agency have.
6. If I chose DHL, how can I track my very important Paper(s)? How will I know that it is already in the hands of the DFA? Who can I call for follow-ups? Several long distance phone calls from Cebu to Manila? Again, another waste of TIME and MONEY.
7. I don't have to fall in line for hours.
   
8. I don't have to wait to be called.
9. If something is wrong with your papers or the DFA needed some additional/supporting papers but you don't have it with you, 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.
10. The Travel Agency did all the work for me, while I continued working with my business.
11. Hassle Free.

Please note that these are based on my experience and situation. I am not saying that you should always seek help from travel agencies to process your papers. I believe this is not a good option for people living in and around Manila simply because they are living near. I wrote this article so that people who are living far away from Manila, will have an idea on the pros and cons. I hope these helps.

When do you need the DFA red ribbon?

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When do you need the DFA red ribbon?
How much does it costs?
In which travel agency did you ask for help to process you papers?

People asked me these questions on my post about DFA Red Ribbon. So I would like to explain further, restate and share to you my experiences about Red Ribbon.

In foreign countries, your Philippine documents or papers are not considered as valid, genuine or legal if it does not have a DFA red ribbon. The red ribbon is a proof or an authentication that your paper is valid, genuine and legal.

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. Papers that need red ribbon when I applied for a German Spouse Visa were the NSO Birth Certificate and the NSO Certificate of Marriage.

Someone told me from this post that the German Embassy did not ask for a Red Ribbon. 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 processing and extending your visa and other papers when you are here in Germany. Believe me, every time I process my papers here, they always ask for a Red Ribbon. They even ask for a German translation of my Philippine Papers. Examples of these papers are my NSO Birth Certificate and NSO Marriage Certificate. Germans are very strict! ^_^

My suggestion:
It would be better that you get a DFA Red Ribbon for your NSO papers. Specific examples of these which I also did are NSO Birth Certificate and NSO Marriage Certificate. Or you might end up processing your papers here AND by contacting DFA in the Philippines (hassle).

Travel Agency:
The travel agency that I sought help with is called JEWEL SKIES Travel & Tours located in Lahug, Cebu City (I think Jeepney 04L still go in this route). It is located just near Ayala Center (Metro Ayala Entrance).

Related Posts:

• Tips for contacting the German Embassy
• German Spouse Visa Cook Book
• Visa Processing Tips
• Basic German Language Visa Requirement, Required oor Not?
  
• German Spouse Visa Requirements
• CFO-SMEF-COW Seminar
• Endorsing of Certificate of Marriage to the NSO
• DFA Red Ribbon
• Wedding or Marriage in the Philippines

DFA Red Ribbon

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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? ^_^

Related Posts:

• Marriage Requirements in the Philippines
  
• Wedding or Marriage in the Philippines
• Endorsing of Certificate of Marriage to the NSO
• CFO-SMEF-COW Seminar
• German Spouse Visa Requirements

Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis”)

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What is a Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis”)?
How to get a Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (“Ehefähigkeitszeugnis”)?

This paper is issued by their diplomatic official in the Philippines. This is called the “Ehefaehigkeitszeugnis” in German and is available from the Local Civil Registry Office or “Standesamt”. The German fiancee/fiance SHOULD have this document ready before his flight to the Philippines.

" ä "= " ae " in German

The requirements for this document depends on the Local Civil Registry Officer in the local town where the German fiancee/fiance lives. In our case the following papers were asked:

German fiancee/fiance:

1. German Passport
2. Internatonal Birth Certificate

Filipino fiancee/fiance:
1. NSO Birth Certificate with Red Ribbon from the DFA
- Note that in the first page you will see a Red Ribbon, your NSO Birth Certificate is actually on the next page.
2. Joint Affidavit of Civil Status with Red Ribbon from the DFA
- Note that in the first page you will see a Red Ribbon, your Joint Affidavit of Civil Status is actually on the next page.
3. Joint Affidavit of Parental Advice with Red Ribbon from the DFA
- Note that in the first page you will see a Red Ribbon, your Joint Affidavit of Parental Advice is actually on the next page.
4. CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage, issued by the NSO)
5. Barangay Certificate
6. Clear Copy of Passport ID with a Certification from the DFA that this is a Certified True Copy


The Filipino fiancee/fiance should submit all documents in Original Copies, unless otherwise stated, per courier to his/her German counterpart.

The German fiancee/fiance should have the documents (from the Filipino fiancee/fiance) Translated to German by a Certified Translator.

DFA = "Department of Foreign Affairs"
NSO = "National Statistics Office"

Note that this paper is a Requirement for Marriage License Application

List of Requirements As of JUNE 2007
Note that these list of requirements might change from time to time or case to case.
For updates please visit the official site of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

Related Posts:

• Marriage Requirements in the Philippine
• Pre Marriage Counselling
• Wedding or Marriage in the Philippines
• DFA Red Ribbon
• Endorsing of Certificate of Marriage to the NSO
• Tips for contacting the Embassy