Kian's NSO birth certificate

One of the most important tasks to accomplish during this trip was the "late registration" of Kian's birth certificate at the City Hall in Butuan. It is considered "late" because Eme did not submit the hospitial birth record at the City Hall within 30 days of Kian's birth. The officials at the City Hall office questions us about this, but Eme had a very good reason to deliberately do a late registration - In order to get my surname on the official NSO birth certificate I had to be present to sign the hospital records and all the dublicate copies of the City Hall paperwork. It seemed like I signed my name 20 times, front to back, on all the duplicates. This was good thinking on Eme's part. We did take a little mild questioning about why we were registering him late (for some reason everyone thinks it is so simple to get on a plane and be present for a delivery that could come within a 2 weeks window...as if taking time off from work was no issue). But eventually they processed the papers.  We then had to go to the Post Office to buy a money order for 140 pesos to send with the birth certificate registration papers to the NSO (National Statistics Office) in Manila. This fee is for the Advanced Processing -- an expedited processing of the NSO birth certificate so that Eme can pick it up in 3 months (instead of a year) at the City Hall.  Then Eme can go to the local NSO office, or online, and order more copies of the official NSO birth certificate. We'll get a bunch of them, cuz ya never know.

The returned official NSO birth certificate (on special security paper) should arrive at City Hall in 3 to 4 months . We have the transmittal receipt showing that it was sent by LBC (the FedEx in the Philippines) to the NSO.  The NSO birth certificate is a critical document at Kian's CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) interview. The interviews are held at the embassy in Manila and interview appointments are made online. I will schedule Kian's interview during the middle of my Spring Break in early April so I can be present.

If the consular officer does not ask for a DNA test to prove paternity, Kian will become a US Citizen on the spot. I can also apply for his US passport immediately afterward (we'll bring Kian's passport photos with us).  The CRBA approval and passport will arrive within 10 days. If DNA is required, then it will take up to two more months and there is the added expense.  We're hoping to avoid the DNA delay with lots of evidence for our case (hotel receipts, visa stamps, credit card statements showing hotel charges, etc.). Hopefully the officer will see that Kian has my mouth and chin.