For many Filipinos, the dream of a second chance at love often hits a legal roadblock known as the "foreign divorce" rule.
Under Article 26 of the Family Code of the Philippines, a foreign divorce can be recognized, allowing the Filipino spouse to regain their capacity to remarry.
Why You Need a Court Order
To be legally recognized, the foreign decree must undergo a process called Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce.
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?
This covers two main scenarios:
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 remarry after foreign divorce philippines their spouse.
Note: If both parties were Filipino citizens at the time of the divorce, the Philippine remarry after foreign divorce philippines government generally will not recognize the decree, even if it was remarry after foreign divorce philippines obtained in a foreign court.
Step-by-Step remarry after foreign divorce philippines Process to Regain Capacity to Remarry
Here is the typical roadmap for legalizing your foreign divorce in the Philippines:
Engaging a competent lawyer is the first step in filing the necessary petition.
Gather Documents: You will need the original or certified true copy of the foreign divorce decree, proof of the foreign divorce law, and your marriage contract.
Ensure all foreign-issued papers are properly Apostilled for legal use in the Philippines.
The court will hold hearings to verify the facts of your case.
Annotation: Once the court grants the petition, you must register remarry after foreign divorce philippines the decision with the PSA and the Local Civil Registrar.
Moving Forward
By securing a Judicial Recognition, you clear the path for a new beginning without any legal clouds hanging over your future.