Married in Philippines or Married in US? Which is legally?HELP!!!!

[ShuShuKwt 0]

My cousin's US citizen fiance married in Philippines back in 2004 with other women. Now the US citizen Fiance wants to take her and marry her in US. Its is that possible?

Her fiance said He is still Single in US Public record because that was in Philippines marriage ONLY not in US marriage..And he never apply spouse visa yet for her and didnt register thier married in US.

Edited September 11, 2013 by ShuShuKwt

[Boggy1974 124]

Really...? Married is married regardless of where it takes place. I would be weary of someone telling me that.

[kzielu 1,154]

My cousin's US citizen fiance married in Philippines back in 2004 with other women. Now the US citizen Fiance wants to take her and marry her in US. Its is that possible?

Her fiance said He is still Single in US Public record because that was in Philippines marriage ONLY not in US marriage..And he never apply spouse visa yet for her and didnt register thier married in US.

He is married regardless where marriage happened. Another marriage will not be valid, he will have to divorce first.

[jane21 11]

He can't petition her because he is still married! Not unless he will divorce his wife first, (annulment since there is no divorce here in the Philippines.. )

[ShuShuKwt 0]

The guy said he is still single in US Public record. The marriage of first wife NOT Registered in US. When the guy petition her. I think it will not track that he already married in Philippines.

Edited September 11, 2013 by ShuShuKwt

[bob.sansmal 14]

He can probably get away with it, the U.S. officials will likely not discover his first marriage.

HOWEVER:

• he will still be committing bigamy
• if it does come out (for example, his first wife decides to cause him some trouble) it will cause major problems for your cousin
• it indicates poor character (in my opinion) that he thinks it's OK to get illegally married a second time just because he can probably get away with it. What else will he do if he thinks he won't get caught?

A person's character is revealed by what he does when he doesn't think anyone else is watching...

[belinda63 3,053]

Let me scare you a little. He might get away with it for a while. Say his fiance is granted the K-1. She comes here and marries him. She gets her green card. His wife eventually gets her 10 year green card. She applies for citizenship. Oooops, wait your husband is not your husband. Sorry, do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Leave the US within 30 days. You are not here legally.

Does he really want to take a chance of doing that to his current fiance? Does he love her so little that he is willing to risk her future? It does happen, she could even become a citizen and be stripped of her citizenship if they discover the fraud. That is what it would be.....fraud.

[ShuShuKwt 0]

The reason he wants to marry and take my cousin to US because they have kids. The ist wife dont have kids. And they are not together anymoore.

Edited September 11, 2013 by ShuShuKwt

[DaveE 178]

The reason he wants to marry and take my cousin to US because they have kids. The ist wife dont have kids. And they are not together anymoore.

There was a story in the news about a filipino doctor and his wife that lied to immigration 25 years ago. When immigraton found out about it 25 years later they immediately started deportation proceedings.

They really don't want something like this hanging over their head for the rest of their life. The US government has been known to check with Philippine authorities concerning marital status. Thats what happened with the good doctor.

Bottom line is that it would be an illegal marriage since he is already married. If they don't terminate it correctly, it will always hang over their head. One never knows when a vengeful or jealous person sends an email to the US Embassy. Manila and tells your cousin's little secret. It happens, not always, but it does happen.

[rhead 8]

The foreign guy should terminate the marriage properly if he wants to bring another woman to his county for marriage. It can really cause trouble to both of them. Irregardless of what country he was married, he is MARRIED. Period. The second woman won't be considered a legal wife because the first marriage is not terminated properly. It seems she is the mistress. if in case they wont be discovered immediately, later on they will and it might cause the woman to be deported and banned maybe for having a fraud relationship.

[NikLR 13,232]

The reason he wants to marry and take my cousin to US because they have kids. The ist wife dont have kids. And they are not together anymoore.

Who cares?

He's still married to his first wife. He needs to get the annulment and then proceed when he is actually clear and able to marry. The US recognizes marriages that take place in other countries. That's how come most of us can do a CR1/IR1 visa. I was married in Canada. That doesn't make it any less legal in the USA.

[christeen 966]

Married is married if it occurs in Philippines or elsewhere... Marrying another without terminating the marriage is bigamy and will make such marriage null and void... So any benefits gained from the marriage will be terminated...there are many cases of people whose marriages were entered into falsely because of an undeclared marriage or unresolved divorce and were deported, even after 20+ years in the USA... Tie up all the loose ends before embarking on the immigration journey... Married is married... Period...

[Harpa Timsah 13,259]

There is no US public record of marriages or marriage registry so your cousin is just making stuff up. He is married and therefore he is unable to marry another person in the US. That is bigamy. That is a crime.

He decided how it would be in his own mind, which is totally contradictory to US laws. What he decided in his own mind is illegal.

[Greg&Set 3]

He should file for divorce in the US for his wife in the Philippines. This is acknowledged because he is already a U.S. Citizen.

[Jettechfsr 5]

And there is no divorce in Philippines is my understanding and you have get it annulled and takes a lot of time correct me if i'm wrong just what I've heard