Married/Seperated in PI

[Craigjjs]

One of the women I am corresponding with says she is seperated.  I believe I read somewhere that divorce is not legal in the Phillippines.  Does anyone know if this is true and the impact on the ability to remarry in the Phillippines or the US?

Thanks,

Craig

[Craigjjs]

... in response to Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Craigjjs on Aug 28, 2004

Just so I understand, if I ever want to bring a Filipina to the US on a finacee visa and she was previously married in the Phillippines, I will need official documentation that the marriage was anulled or her husband died.  Correct?

Thanks

[Ray]

... in response to Just so I understand, posted by Craigjjs on Aug 31, 2004

…or she is Muslim and was legally divorced in a Sharia court, or she married a foreigner and the foreign husband filed for and was granted a divorce overseas.

Bottom line is that she must be legally free to marry at the time the petition is filed.

Ray

[Craigjjs]

... in response to That's correct..., posted by Ray on Aug 31, 2004

nt

[gregas]

... in response to Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Craigjjs on Aug 28, 2004

any Filipina that say she is Married/Separated. Cost lots of money and time, no guarantee that she can be grant her Annulment in court. Why waste so much time and money involved in questionable MESS when there are countless unmarried Pinays available in RP. Of course that is the Guy's choice, from my own experience. Never Again

[jon]

... in response to Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Craigjjs on Aug 28, 2004

Yeah, good question. I was chatting today with a gal that said she is legally seperated.  So she may not be?

Jon

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Married/Seperated in PI, posted by jon on Aug 28, 2004

Jon,

I have found that a lot of the ladies over there will say that they are legally separated or divorced, but most of the time they have no legal papers. It’s just kind of an expression that is thrown around loosely.

A legal separation may give them some rights under Philippine law, regarding child custody or support for example, but it does not give them the right to remarry.

If they do have a legal annulment, then you should be able to verify that with a copy of the certified court decree and her annotated marriage certificate ordered directly from the NSO (National Statistics Office). You can also order a CENOMAR or Certificate of No Marriage directly from NSO to verify for yourself that she has not been married in the past.

If a Filipino marries a foreigner and the foreign spouse files for divorce in his country, then the Philippine government will recognize the divorce and she can legally remarry.

For anyone contemplating marriage over there or filing a visa petition for a lady who was previously married, I would strongly advise you to obtain certified copies of all legal documents before you do anything. It could save you a lot of time and future heartache.

Ray

[Surigao Ken]

... in response to Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Craigjjs on Aug 28, 2004


Craig,
My wife has a cousin that is getting an anullment and she is a good woman. If you read some of my old posts you can figure it out.
To softly disagree with some of my fellow posters, a lot of good Filipia women are burned by Loser western men.

Take a chance,

Surigao Ken

[Stephen]

... in response to Re: Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Surigao Ken on Aug 28, 2004

asdf

[Surigao Ken]

... in response to Yeah....I can see your point.  NT, posted by Stephen on Aug 29, 2004

n/t

[Ray]

... in response to Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Craigjjs on Aug 28, 2004

Craig,

The only legal divorce in the Philippines is for some Muslims. There is a legal separation but virtually nobody has one because it’s expensive to obtain and you still cannot remarry.

With very few exceptions, about the only legal way to remarry in the Philippines is to have an annulment or a death certificate for your spouse. An annulment is possible but typically takes 1-2 years or more and costs about US $2,000 which is way out of the reach of the typical Filipino. A Filipina lady who says she was/is married will not be able to remarry or obtain a fiancée visa unless you are willing to throw a lot of money and time into it. I would keep looking before you get involved.

Ray

[NW Jim]

... in response to Re: Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Ray on Aug 28, 2004

Ray, without being a wise ass or suggesting something illegal, just what would it cost for the spouse to become deceased?

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: Married/Seperated in PI, posted by NW Jim on Aug 28, 2004

Like Larry mentioned, you could probably have someone "salvaged" for around fifty bucks, a bottle of ESQ, and 2 packs of cigarettes.

I wonder if the Salvation Army does that??? :-)

Ray

[shadow]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Married/Seperated in PI, posted by Ray on Aug 29, 2004

Well, I don't think the salvation army will help with this one, Ray, but there are several armies here that would jump at the chance.

Also there is the possibility that the same amount deposited in the right hands of a certain government official may result in that certian government official to come up with a death certificate, whether or not the person in question was actually deceased. This is, after all, the Philippines.

Of course, I wouldn't know anyone that may be able to do such a thing. Why, that would be illegal!

Larry.

[shadow]

... in response to Re: Re: Married/Seperated in PI, posted by NW Jim on Aug 28, 2004

About $50 in the right hands.

Larry.