KEY Thread Annulment of marriage in the philippines soon to be made easier

i don't understand why it should cost more, or take any longer to get an annulment then it did to get married. mumble... mumble...

 

Either way, may it be only civil rites or the standard Catholic church wedding, annulment is only for those who have the cash.
Edit: But for those who want to protect their cash and "live in sin" here's the good news:
Common-law marriage (live-in relationships) in the Philippines | Philippine e-Legal Forum

 

If you want to take your future spouse to the USA it is impossible, for all practical purposes, to get a tourist or any other visa without her being qualified in a field that is deemed desirable for the USA, such as Dr., RN, software genius, scientist, etc. or if they are of substantial means. It is more difficult for a female than it is for a male. Not easily had for the average Filipino/a.
I have explored every angle from business invitation, to training, to domestic caretaker, you name it. Realistically, only a spousal or fiance visa is obtainable unless there are special circumstances. The US fiance visa is not obtainable unless the fiance is free to marry under US law.
There is no such thing as divorce in the Philippines. The only way to be free to marry is to get an annulment. The only exception to this, and it is not guaranteed to get a visa approved by the US Embassy, is a divorce in Guam, as it is a US Territory and the divorce is recognized under US law making the fiance free to marry in the US. No other international divorce for a fiance visa is recognized under US law without some more extended residency requirements or other requirements that are not really conveniently met. The US Supreme court has made rulings that make "quickie" international divorces null and void in the US.
Guam requires a 7 day residency and written consent of the non appearing spouse but is recognized.
Some from the US have done both. Filed for the fiance's annulment and then obtained a divorce in order to go to the US sooner, 6 months or so, and then let the annulment continue to run its' course.

 

It sucks I know and this "annulment getting easier thing" by the Catholic church is not helping even with marriage between Filipinos.
Why in the World Don’t We Have Divorce in the Philippines?

 

I do not understand what situation you are trying to apply this to? Filipina to Filipino wanting a divorce to marry a foreigner? They couldn't get to Guam without a US Visa because as you said it is a US Territory, so couldn't get 7 day residence nor divorce, to qualify for a US Visa.

A Filipina(o) married to a foreigner who then gets a divorce from their country is divorced and free to marry in the US. International divorces are recognized by the US. If filled by the foreigner, the divorce is also recognized by the Philippines (after going through the paperwork of getting it filed and records updated).

You seem to be talking about a specific circumstance but painted it with a wide brush as if it applies to everyone.

 

Don't want to be argumentative but maybe I can clear a couple of things up. Firstly, the OP was about annulment in the Philippines. Then someone asked about the process and received a few answers. I was pointing out an alternative to the annulment. Secondly, my attorney has assured me that he can get a visa that will allow my finance to go to Guam for ONLY 7 days and nights, which is all that is required to establish residency. No other appearance is required. He may be taking my money and scamming me, I don't know. We have only begun. Lastly, I did not say that the US does not recognize international divorces. I said that they do not recognized the "quickie" divorces that seem popular. My Post says, "No other international divorce for a fiance visa is recognized under US law without some more extended residency requirements or other requirements that are not really conveniently met. The US Supreme court has made rulings that make "quickie" international divorces null and void in the US." If you want to establish residency in Hong Kong for example for three months, then one can divorce there and have it recognized in the US. I did not mention divorces between foreigners and Filipino/a's because I guess I was applying my comments to my situation.

 

One interesting aspect I found out after talking to a catholic priest. A true marriage is only valid if done in the church. If it is only a civil marriage then it is not valid in the sense of the church. The church looks at these being like a natural living contract. Therefore a civil marriage can be divorced without offense or being a sinner because it is not a valid marriage in the eyes of the church. Now the question is how much useful will be this in the case of an annulment on the Philippines. BTW a marriage in a protestantic church is a valid marriage also.

 

Sorry but I could not resist this Lighter look on things

 

These are the two major things that threw me off. You did not say what your situation was so 'we' don't know. From your inference am I correct in guessing your fiance was(is) married to a Filipino?

A bit more off topic, I researched Guam a few months ago as a possible vacation spot for my Filipina wife and I since a US tourist visa is such a longshot. I came away from that research convinced that as a US Territory, the Visa requirements are identical to the States. Please start a new thread with details about getting the '7 Day Guam Visa'. Thanks!