Divorce in Hawaii for married in The Philippines

[Andy1946]

I happen to know a little bit about this. The Philippines does not have divorce. Once you are married, you have to stay married. However, the Philippines will recognize a divorce that takes place elsewhere, as long as their citizen does not actively cooperate with the divorce process.

Yes, you can divorce in Hawaii, but unless your wife remains in the US, (assuming that she is in the US) she won't be divorced as far as the Philippines is concerned if she actively cooperates with the divorce process. So you won't really be able to do an uncontested divorce. You might be able to get divorced by default if she simply doesn't respond.

Thanks. We are getting divorced because we care about each other and just aren't right for each other anymore, so it's a fully cooperating process by both of us. That being said, based on what you say, if she doesn't respond in order for us to get divorced in The Philippines, will there be any negative consequences here or in The Philippines for her?

 

[Andy1946]

It was a typo, Stealth. OG intended to type Hawaii and typed in her own state instead.

Don't let it ruin your day, OG... it's soooo easy to do that. I sometimes even call my own phone number, and start to write my own mailing address...

 

[Andy1946]

Oooookay. HI and OH are close to one another...

Only on a keyboard... LOL

 

[Andy1946]

Haven't your fingers ever been on autopilot?...LOL I have caught myself typing some really dumb words sometimes when I meant something totally different. Its like my fingers have memorized a certain sequence and if I am not going there, they go there without me.

It's like the saying, "I just washed my hair and I can't do a thing with it"... that goes for hands, too... LOL!

 

[sandyclaus]

Thanks. We are getting divorced because we care about each other and just aren't right for each other anymore, so it's a fully cooperating process by both of us. That being said, based on what you say, if she doesn't respond in order for us to get divorced in The Philippines, will there be any negative consequences here or in The Philippines for her?

You can't get divorced in the Philippines. The Philippines does not allow for divorce. They only allow for annulment, and only under certain LIMITED circumstances. That's why, if she ever returns to the Philippines, any divorce you obtain here in the US won't be recognized - and there, she would actually be considered a bigamist if she attempts to remarry there.

 

[Ohiogal]

Hi Ohiogal. Ooops... We were married in September 2002 in The Philippines. She came to Hawaii in June 2003, then applied for and received Resident Alien status. She just became a Citizen yesterday.

Okay ... that means that Hawaii has personal jurisdiction over here. Which is the only reason I wanted to know. Carry on. I am going to remain in OH though wishing I was in HI.

 

[Andy1946]

You can't get divorced in the Philippines. The Philippines does not allow for divorce. They only allow for annulment, and only under certain LIMITED circumstances. That's why, if she ever returns to the Philippines, any divorce you obtain here in the US won't be recognized - and there, she would actually be considered a bigamist if she attempts to remarry there.

Hi sandyclaus. Based on "no divorce" in The Philippines, it makes sense that she couldn't get married there again, but by being divorced here in Hawaii, would she have any problems getting married again in the USA?

And... if she can, and does get married in the USA again, if they then travel to The Philippines, would she be considered a bigamist and possibly have any problems getting in, and then back out of The Philippines on trips there?

Note: I traveled A LOT in the Philippines in the 90's. Filipinos have their own way of dealing with the no divorce situation there... they just ignore it and get married again. I met many men and women that had been married 2, 3, 4 and more times!

Thanks everyone for your very helpful feedback!

 

[LdiJ]

Thanks. We are getting divorced because we care about each other and just aren't right for each other anymore, so it's a fully cooperating process by both of us. That being said, based on what you say, if she doesn't respond in order for us to get divorced in The Philippines, will there be any negative consequences here or in The Philippines for her?

Not according to my source. Its a client and he has been married, in the Philippines to two different women, and he divorced the first wife here in the US. He explained the process to me. His first wife has now married someone else in the Philippines, so apparently they recognized the divorce without a problem.

 

[Andy1946]

This might prove to be of use...

http://tokyo.philembassy.net/consular-section/services/civil-registration/judicial-recognition-of-foreign-divorce/

Hi again stealth2. This link goes to EXCELLENT and VERY precise/specific information!

Thanks VERY much!

 

[LdiJ]

You can't get divorced in the Philippines. The Philippines does not allow for divorce. They only allow for annulment, and only under certain LIMITED circumstances. That's why, if she ever returns to the Philippines, any divorce you obtain here in the US won't be recognized - and there, she would actually be considered a bigamist if she attempts to remarry there.

You should read Stealth's link. The Philippines will recognize a foreign divorce.

 

[Andy1946]

You should read Stealth's link. The Philippines will recognize a foreign divorce.

Hi LdiJ. I did, and it's EXCELLENT, and not just bookmarked... but copied to my computer! My reply is right above yours. You missed it

 

[LdiJ]

Hi LdiJ. I did, and it's EXCELLENT, and not just bookmarked... but copied to my computer! My reply is right above yours. You missed it

I was responding to Sandy, who got it wrong...LOL

 

[Andy1946]

And that's the way that it is in the PR...

Having spent a good amount of time in The Philippines, I'll toss this in... whether a USA divorce gets recognized in The Philippines or not may also have a good amount to do with who you pay off, and how much you pay them

 

[Bali Hai]

I happen to know a little bit about this. The Philippines does not have divorce. Once you are married, you have to stay married. However, the Philippines will recognize a divorce that takes place elsewhere, as long as their citizen does not actively cooperate with the divorce process.

Yes, you can divorce in Hawaii, but unless your wife remains in the US, (assuming that she is in the US) she won't be divorced as far as the Philippines is concerned if she actively cooperates with the divorce process. So you won't really be able to do an uncontested divorce. You might be able to get divorced by default if she simply doesn't respond.

The judge I had in my divorce must have been from the Philippines (or Catholic). But he had to follow NYS law. He had to divorce us according to statute, but he didn't have to financially divorce us. He won, I lost.

 

[Bali Hai]

Haven't your fingers ever been on autopilot?...LOL I have caught myself typing some really dumb words sometimes when I meant something totally different. Its like my fingers have memorized a certain sequence and if I am not going there, they go there without me.

Sounds like the stenographer who type recorded my discovery hearing. She didn't get a damn thing right.