Navigating the legalities of marriage and divorce in the Philippines can be complex, especially since the country remains one of the few in the world without a domestic divorce law.
While the Philippines does not have its own divorce law, it does recognize divorces obtained abroad under specific circumstances.
Understanding Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce
To be legally recognized, the foreign decree must undergo a process called Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce.
Once the court issues a Finality of Judgment, you can then annotate your marriage record at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Eligibility for Remarriage After Foreign Divorce
There are generally two situations where this applies:
Mixed Marriages: Where a Filipino is married to a foreigner, and the foreigner obtains a valid divorce abroad.
Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship and subsequently divorced their spouse.
Note: If both parties were Filipino citizens at the time of the divorce, the Philippine government generally will not recognize the decree, even if it was obtained in a foreign court.
How to Process Your Recognition of Foreign Divorce
Here is remarry after foreign divorce philippines the typical roadmap for legalizing your foreign divorce in the Philippines:
Hire a Lawyer: You will need a Philippine-based remarry after foreign divorce philippines attorney to file a Petition for Judicial Recognition in the Regional Trial Court.
Gather Documents: You will need the remarry after foreign divorce philippines original or certified true copy of the foreign divorce decree, proof of remarry after foreign divorce philippines the foreign divorce law, and your marriage contract.
Authentication/Apostille: Foreign documents must be authenticated or Apostilled in the country where they were issued to be admissible in Philippine courts.
Court Proceedings: Your lawyer will present evidence to prove the validity of the divorce.
Annotation: Once the court grants the petition, you must register the decision with the PSA and the Local Civil Registrar.
Conclusion
While the process may seem daunting, it is the only legal way to remarry after foreign divorce philippines ensure your next marriage is valid and protected under Philippine law.