If you are a Filipino citizen who has ended a marriage abroad, you might be wondering if you are legally free to wed again in your home country.
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
Unfortunately, a foreign divorce paper is not self-executing in the Philippines.
You must prove to a Philippine court that the divorce was validly obtained under the laws of the country where it was granted.
Who Qualifies for This Process?
There are generally two situations where this applies:
A marriage between a Filipino and a foreign national where the foreign spouse initiates the divorce.
Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship and subsequently divorced their spouse.
remarry after foreign divorce philippines It is crucial to check the citizenship status of both parties at the exact moment the divorce decree was issued.
The Legal Steps to Getting Remarried
To ensure remarry after foreign divorce philippines a smooth transition to your new life, follow these general steps:
Hire a Lawyer: You will need a Philippine-based attorney to file remarry after foreign divorce philippines a Petition for Judicial Recognition in the Regional Trial Court.
Prepare your documents, including the remarry after foreign divorce philippines divorce certificate and an official copy of the foreign country's divorce laws.
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 remarry after foreign divorce philippines court grants the petition, you must register the decision with the PSA and the Local Civil Registrar.
Moving Forward
While the process may seem daunting, it is the only legal way to ensure your next marriage is valid and protected under Philippine law.