U.S. EMBASSY MANILA

American Citizen Services September 2006

Message from Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney

Greetings to the American community in the Philippines!

September is a special month for all Americans, as we end our summer vacations and look forward to the fall and winter.This September is especially important to us, as we mark the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.I hope many of you were able to attend the commemorative concert held in partnership with the Union Church of Manila in Makati.It was a truly moving and memorable event.

Unfortunately, the fifth anniversary of 9/11 reminds us that terrorism remains a major threat in the world today, and that includes potential threats here in the Philippines.I urge all of you to remain vigilant and informed on the issue - the U.S. Embassy Manila webpage at http://philippines.usembassy.gov remains a useful and up-to-date resource for the American community on such matters as security and travel, so I hope you will visit the site often.Since we are moving to a new on-line registration system, if you have not done so, I ask you to register online at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Please remind your American family and friends to do so as well.

The U.S. Embassy will remain busy and focused on our core mission of protecting and serving American citizens in this country, while continuing to build strong ties between the United States and the Philippines. In August, we hosted visits by two delegations from the U.S. Congress, one led by Chairman Henry Hyde, and the other by Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Both left the country impressed by the breadth and scope of relations between our two countries, and I hope more of our elected representatives will visit in the near future.

I look forward to meeting more of you in Manila and during my travels in the country. Everywhere I go, I am struck by the positive contributions made by Americans living in the Philippines, whether through professional work or in voluntary and charitable causes.You are truly helping strengthen the bonds between our two countries.

Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney

American Citizen Services Contents

* Message from the Ambassador

* Claims to U.S. Citizenship

* NIV Visa Denials

* Dual Nationality

* How do I Financially Sponsor Someone Who Wants to Immigrate to the U.S.?

* USCIS Issues Final Rule Regarding Affidavits of Support

* Guidelines for Preparing I-864s

* Legal Representation in the U.S. when filing Petitions

* Warden Messages

* Travel Warning Philippines

* Online Registration Service

* Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution

* Consular Information Sheet - Philippines

* U.S. Embassy Manila is Updating Its American Citizen Registration Database.

Our old, homegrown registration system is being retired. We encourage all American Citizens who have not registered with the Embassy through the new IBRS system to do so now.

U.S. Embassy Holiday Closings

American Citizen Services US Embassy 1201 Roxas Boulevard Ermita, Manila Philippines

Consul General: Richard D. Haynes ACS Chief: Christopher Rowan Office: 632-528-6300 and 2246/2555 Fax: 632-522-3242

Passports

Mon through Fri. 7:30am - 11:00am
For applications: FedEx 02-879- 4747 or
http://philippines.usembassy.gov

Citizenship and Birth Registration

By appointment only For forms/applications: FedEx 02-879-4747 or http://philippines.usembassy.gov

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://philippines.usembassy.gov

Virtual Consulate Davao: http://www.usvirtualconsulatedavao.org.ph
Online Registration:
https://travelregistration.state.gov

Cebu Consular Agency - Waterfront Hotel, Lahug Tel: (032) 231-1261 Fax: (032) 231-0174

Claims to U.S. Citizenship

Are you a U.S. citizen parent of a child born here in the Philippines? Do you know someone who is? Have you documented that relationship with the U.S. Embassy?

It is very important that American parents apply for their children's derivative US citizenship as early as possible after the child's birth outside of the U.S. This is especially true if the parents are not married. Delays in the filing process may cause future problems or result in a child losing potential U.S. citizenship.

Individuals over 18 who believe they may have a claim to U.S. citizenship should review the information on derivative claims to U.S. citizenship available on the American Citizen Services section of the Embassy website http://philippines.usembassy.gov. To Register a Birth and/or File a Claim to U.S. Citizenship contact Federal Express. An application package will be delivered to your door.

FedEx Call Center Exclusive ACS Hotline:
(63) (2) 879-4747, 7:30am - 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri

Physical Presence Requirements for Derivative U.S. Citizenship

What are the physical presence requirements for a U.S. citizen parent wishing to transmit citizenship to a child born outside the U.S.?

For applicants born:

A. Before January 13, 1941, submit documentary proof of U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the U.S. any time before the applicant's birth.

B. Between January 13, 1941 and July 3, 1946, submit documentary proof of U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions any time before the applicant's birth.

C. Between July 4, 1946 and December 23, 1952, submit documentary proof of U.S. citizen parent's cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for ten years, five after the citizen parent's 16th birthday and before the applicant's birth.

D. Between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, submit documentary proof of U.S. citizen parent's cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for ten years, five after the citizen parent's 14th birthday and before the applicant's birth.

E. On or after November 14, 1986, submit documentary proof of U.S. citizen parent's cumulative physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for five years, two after the citizen parent's 14th birthday and before the applicant's birth.

F. Out of wedlock birth to a U.S. citizen mother, submit documentary proof of U.S. citizen mother's continuous physical presence in the U.S. or its outlying possessions for one year before the applicant's birth.

Documentary proof of physical presence in the U.S. may consist of old/current passports, military records (statement of service/history of assignments), employment records (leave and earning statements with wage and tax (W2) forms), school records, etc.

Turnaround Times for Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad

What is the turnaround time in processing Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and adult derivative citizenship and passports?

Normally, it takes approximately eight weeks from the submission of a CRBA or adult citizenship application to the scheduling of an interview appointment. Upon approval of the CRBA or adult derivative citizenship application, it will take approximately two more weeks to get the passport from the U.S.