Understanding Your Rights: Divorce Abroad for Filipino Citizens

Navigating the process of ending a marriage can be daunting, especially when the union was solemnized in the Philippines but the parties now reside in a country that permits divorce.

One of the most frequent queries involves a divorce in US but married in the Philippines. Under the Civil Code, Philippine laws regarding family status follow Filipino citizens wherever they go.
The Process of Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce

For those who were married in the Philippines and later divorced in the US, the foreign judgment does not automatically change your civil status at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

This rule stems from a landmark provision intended to prevent the "absurd" situation where a foreign spouse is free to remarry while the Filipino spouse remains tied to the marriage. Modern jurisprudence, specifically the Republic v. Manalo case, has clarified that even if the Filipino spouse initiates the divorce, it can still be recognized—provided one of the spouses was a foreign national at the time the divorce was granted.
How Different Jurisdictions Compare

This legal framework isn't limited to American decrees.

Divorce in australia recognized in philippines : A divorce in australia recognized in philippines follows the same judicial path.

Canadian Divorce Recognition: For Filipinos in Canada, the process involves proving that the divorce is final and effective under Canadian law.

Japanese Divorce Recognition: Recent Supreme Court rulings have confirmed that Japanese administrative divorces are recognizable.

Can a Filipino File for Divorce Abroad?

Yes, a Filipino can file for divorce in a foreign court. If both parties are still Filipino citizens at the time of the divorce, the Philippine government generally will not recognize the decree for the purpose of remarriage.
Moving Forward

Whether you are dealing with a divorce in australia, canada, or japan, the limited liability company philippines goal is the same: to align your Philippine civil status with your reality abroad.