Hello,
WE have recently submitted our spousal application. I am the sponsor (male), I was married to my Filipina wife in SEPT 2014. My wife has a 6-year-old son. On the boy's birth certificate there is no mention of his biological father. My wife split up with the father a few months after the child was born, they never lived together, never shared expenses, etc. In our application we included an affadavit written for my wife by a lawyer stating that she alone has provided for her son's material sustenance and upbringing. Someone informed us of a CIC form (5604) that can be used as a release by the other biological parent, but we don't know if it is mandatory. The Philippines Dept of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) said in their eyes my wife is the sole guardian of the boy, proven via her obtaining a passport for him, and that there is no restriction to the boy leaving the Philippines with her. Does anyone have any experience with this? Will the CIC return our application if this form 5604 is not included? I'm not even sure if my wife can find the father to have him complete the form (AND get it notarized). If she can find him should we do it "just in case" -- and send it to CIC in Manila once we have a reference file number? (An aside: I am also a UK citizen, currently able to spend time in Europe. I am thinking of bringing my wife & her son to meet me in France. The French embassy in Manila has already told us that she does NOT require further proof of custody based on the scenario explained above.) Comments, suggestions appreciated.....!