The consulate in Cebu has been 'closed', apparently since the retirement of Honorary Consul in April 2013. I think that means any application to the Embassy to verify legal capacity to marry must now be made in Manila. Also, the British Embassy in Manila no longer issues Certificates of No Impediment (CNI) to marry. Instead, it is only now necessary to make an appointment with the embassy in Manila with an affidavit in hand, which the British Subject signs in the presence of consular staff. According to the Cebu City Local Civil Registry (LCR) the Filipino fiancée also has to attend the signing of the affidavit, but I think this must be incorrect, even though the affidavit does name the proposed Filipino spouse. Does anyone have experience of being unable to use the Cebu Consulate since April 2013? If so, can you explain what you had to do?
Any information on the re-opening of the Cebu Consulate yet? I suspect that the honorary consulate post is unpaid so may not attract many applicants. It could also involve a lot of work in the Philippines in times of natural disaster.
As far as I know, the Consulate re-opened at the beginning of the year and that the Hon Consul is Mrs Tamsin Boothe who is her predecessor's daughter and has lived in Cebu for much of her life.
Unfortunately, that is not the case; I have verified with the consular section of the British Embassy in Manila that there is, currently, no consular office in Cebu. The only way to make an affirmation in lieu of no impediment to marriage is by visiting the consular section of the British Embassy in Manila. They do not know when or if a new honorary consul will be appointed. I can find no information that Tasmin Boothe was ever appointed as honorary consul.
Good news Howerd. From the Cebu SunStar, yesterday, (17th September) : link ==> Of a British Consul...
Thanks Dave-E. I spoke to the Embassy in Manila again today and they still could give no information about any appointment of an consul in Cebu. Thanks too, Markham! You are clearly in the know of what is happening in the Philippines and, as always, amazed by your knowledge! The question is on what date will the Consulate will re-open in Cebu and on what days will it be open? I must thank Ms Booth, as these posts are honorary with little or no pay.
Whoever you spoke with at the Manila Embassy is an idiot! I posted news of her appointment last December - Britain's new Honorary Consul - and gave her phone number and email address! Tamsin played an important part during Yolanda relief effort as all the British aid was channelled through its airport; she was photographed meeting the DFID Secretary, Justine Greening.
She may have been appointed but I think there are no offices yet. Maybe she is still 'in-training'? I have dropped her an e-mail in hope!
Just found out that the Consulate office may re-open in Talamban! That is where I am staying when I go to Cebu this Xmas and where my fiancée works!! Have dropped Mrs Booth an e-mail.
Her training took place in the UK last autumn however her appointment was rather over-shadowed by the similarly-timed appointment of the new Ambassador.
Below is the e-mail I wrote to Tamsin Booth and her reply. Unfortunately, she appears not to have even read my my e-mail. She tells me that CNIs have been replaced with affirmations or affidavits, even though I only wrote of affirmations/affidavits and made no mention of CNIs whatsoever in my email! She failed to answer any of the questions that I asked, including whether she will be offering and affirmation/affidavit service in her role of Honorary Consulate. This suggests to me that she will not be offering this service and that her position of Honorary Consul is more restricted than her predecessor (her own mother) With no mention of a visitable location in Cebu maybe her role will be restricted to emergency situations only? Dear Mrs Booth I understand that you have been appointed Honorary Consul in Cebu. Could you tell me when the Consul will re-open in Cebu and whether you will be offering an affirmation/affidavit service in order that my fiancée and I can apply for a marriage licence? My fiancée works in Talamban and I understand that any new consulate office may be situated there. I am coming to The Philippines in early December and I am quite severely disabled, so having to divert to Manila is rather difficult for me as I require assistance boarding and disembarking the plane if there are no air bridges. If you are going to be offering these services by December, can you please tell me if it will be necessary for my fiancée to attend the Consulate too, when I sign the affirmation? I find no written requirement that it is necessary for my fiancée to attend but the British Embassy tell me that she is required to attend. Yours sincerely [Howerd] Dear [Howerd], The Consular section no longer issue Certificates of No Impediment (CNIs) for British national who wish to get married in the Philippines. The new process, which started on 1 March, is meant to be easier and more cost effective. The British national will need to prepare an affidavit or affirmation and submit this personally to the Embassy along with the original supporting documents and payment found on this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marriage-in-the-philippines We offer a same-day service for this application provided that you submit the complete documents and paid the corresponding consular fee. The entire process normally lasts in less than an hour. Regards, Tamsin
I have now had a reply to my second email to Tamsin Booth. It is correct that her role as Honorary Consul in Cebu is more restricted than her forerunner. Her role is mainly limited to assisting Distressed British Nationals. The relevant part of that email reads... My main role here in Cebu is to assist with DBN's (distressed British Nationals) and I do not have anything to do at all with Marriages, Births, Passports, Visa's etc. I hope this answers your questions and I apologise if I did not make myself clear in my first reply. So, although the new Honorary Consul is unable to assist in many consular matters, it is good to know that she can assist in times of emergency.
Hopefully you will not have to call in an emergency, as it seems the Embassy/ Consul staff regularly fail to support British citizens abroad. The main function of these embassies are to act as a branch of the Chamber of Commerce, facilitating trade, which means serving the needs of the big corporations and anybody else with large amounts of money. You and Me Howerd are just plebs in their eyes.
