Dealing with a foreign divorce decree in the Philippines can be a complex and often confusing process for many overseas Filipinos.
However, thanks to Article 26 of the Family Code of the Philippines, there is a clear legal pathway to having your foreign marriage dissolution acknowledged.
What is the Recognition of Foreign Divorce in the Philippines?
However, when a foreign divorce decree is issued, it does not automatically change the Filipino spouse's status in the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority).
Whether it is a divorce in the US recognized in the Philippines or a divorce in Korea recognized in the Philippines, the procedure remains largely the same: you must prove the divorce happened and that it was valid under the foreign spouse's national law.
What You Need to Prepare
The court requires "prima facie" evidence of the foreign divorce and the foreign law that allows it.
Common Requirements:
The Foreign Divorce Decree: This must be an authentic copy issued by the foreign court or authority.
Proof of Foreign Law: You must prove that the law of the foreigner's country allows for article 26 family code philippines divorce divorce.
PSA Marriage Contract: The official record of the marriage you are seeking to dissolve.
Identification Documents: Valid passports and birth records.
The Process: How to Recognize Foreign Divorce in the Philippines
To successfully file your petition, you will generally follow this roadmap:
Hiring Legal Counsel: You will need a lawyer to draft and file the petition in the RTC.
Court Filing: Your lawyer submits the petition for recognition of foreign divorce Philippines to the appropriate court.
The Hearing Phase: The court will schedule hearings to verify the documents and testimony.
Judgment and Registration: Once the court grants the petition, the decree must be registered with the PSA and the Civil Registrar.
Cost of Recognition of Foreign Divorce in the Philippines
One of the most frequent questions is: what is the cost of recognition of foreign petition for recognition of foreign divorce philippines divorce in the Philippines?
Costs typically include:
Attorney’s Fees: This is usually the largest portion of the expense.
Court Costs: Standard administrative fees for filing a civil case.
Publication Costs: The law requires the petition to be published in a newspaper of general circulation.
cost of recognition of foreign divorce in philippines Translation and Authentication: For documents not in English or issued by non-Apostille countries.
Final Thoughts
By understanding Article 26 of the Family Code, you can finally move forward with your recognition of foreign divorce philippines life with the peace of mind that your cost of recognition of foreign divorce in philippines civil status is correctly updated.