Philippine Passport application after divorce

[Deanne81 8]

Hi all, 

 

I am not finding a lot of info on post-divorce experiences and advice for Filipino citizens. For the most part I think I coped and coping reasonably well after the abandonment. I work hard to stay on top of things but I admit it gets down hard to the nitty-gritty of life, as a single mom struggling on her own. Also as a Filipino with what feels like a removed identity.

 

Specifically, I want to renew my Philippine passport. If I want to use my new legal name (which is reverted to my maiden name as per divorce decree), this is what the Philippine Consular website says:

 

“FOR A MARRIED WOMAN WHO USED HER HUSBAND’S SURNAME BUT WISHES TO REVERT TO HER MAIDEN SURNAME DUE TO THE LEGAL DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

For divorced applicants (allowed only in cases where the non-Filipino spouse acted as the plaintiff; and not allowed when both parties are Filipino citizens at the time of the divorce): Original or certified true copy and one (1) photocopy of Marriage Contract or Annotation Document issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicating that the divorce has already been recognized by a Philippine Court.

The Female Applicant Must Accomplish a Sworn Declaration to Revert to Maiden Surname.”

 

 

Basically this is requiring me to file a case in Philippine courts to process my divorce a second time. I don’t have indefinite source of money, time and emotional energy to go through that just to get a Philippine passport reflecting my new legal name and civil status.

 

If the Philippine courts don’t recognize my divorced status and new legal name, am I supposed to renew my passport under the same name and married status since that is who I am from the perspective of the PH government. I am still a Philippine citizen and am not convinced I should get a US citizenship just because I am already here. I would if I have to, but that’s still 3 years down the road so I’m not worried about that. Right now, I just feel stuck. DFA has nothing to say about the lack of reasonable policies in place to provide for their citizens abroad from ID standpoint.

 

Sorry that was long, I appreciate you reading and feel free to comment and give me some advise. Would like to hear your thoughts but hopefully we can avoid harsh and overcritical personal judgments. Cheers.

 

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 hours ago, Deanne81 said:

Hi all, 

 

I am not finding a lot of info on post-divorce experiences and advice for Filipino citizens. For the most part I think I coped and coping reasonably well after the abandonment. I work hard to stay on top of things but I admit it gets down hard to the nitty-gritty of life, as a single mom struggling on her own. Also as a Filipino with what feels like a removed identity.

 

Specifically, I want to renew my Philippine passport. If I want to use my new legal name (which is reverted to my maiden name as per divorce decree), this is what the Philippine Consular website says:

 

“FOR A MARRIED WOMAN WHO USED HER HUSBAND’S SURNAME BUT WISHES TO REVERT TO HER MAIDEN SURNAME DUE TO THE LEGAL DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

For divorced applicants (allowed only in cases where the non-Filipino spouse acted as the plaintiff; and not allowed when both parties are Filipino citizens at the time of the divorce): Original or certified true copy and one (1) photocopy of Marriage Contract or Annotation Document issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicating that the divorce has already been recognized by a Philippine Court.

The Female Applicant Must Accomplish a Sworn Declaration to Revert to Maiden Surname.”

 

 

Basically this is requiring me to file a case in Philippine courts to process my divorce a second time. I don’t have indefinite source of money, time and emotional energy to go through that just to get a Philippine passport reflecting my new legal name and civil status.

 

If the Philippine courts don’t recognize my divorced status and new legal name, am I supposed to renew my passport under the same name and married status since that is who I am from the perspective of the PH government. I am still a Philippine citizen and am not convinced I should get a US citizenship just because I am already here. I would if I have to, but that’s still 3 years down the road so I’m not worried about that. Right now, I just feel stuck. DFA has nothing to say about the lack of reasonable policies in place to provide for their citizens abroad from ID standpoint.

 

Sorry that was long, I appreciate you reading and feel free to comment and give me some advise. Would like to hear your thoughts but hopefully we can avoid harsh and overcritical personal judgments. Cheers.

 

 

Yup .. that is what it means.  Legally, in the Philippines you are still married to your EX. 

 

This is a topic that comes up quite often regarding divorce, the necessity to file for recognition with the RTC is annoying, and costly just to get recognition for a divorce the rest of the world willing accepts.    I won't get into "who/what" is responsible for this ...  (I will bite my tongue)

 

As you stated and are well aware - the foreigner must of started the divorce process for it to even be considered.    Stay after your elected officials to get the law changed... but don't hold your breath.