DIVORCED FROM FILIPINA IN USA, BUT NOT RECOGNISED IN PHILIPPINES

[Charz54 0]

July 2025 I divorced my cheating Filipina while she was still in Philippines and it was done in an American court. However, the Philippines doesn't recognise divorce. I've been currently in another Filipina relationship who's now my fiancee. I just got back from seeing her in February 2026. While there we both talked to a philippine lawyer who advised us since my divorce was already finalised in America for my fiancee to show my divorced papers and her husbands death certificate during her US Embassy interview. As far her Cenomar is concerned this lawyer said to just get it for herself and then give it to US Embassy at the time interview.

The previous Filipina I was actually "fake married" to her because she concealed having a fake death certificate from her separated husband and never disclosed it until forced to do so during that her US Embassy interview. Bottom line, the Philippine government is still showing our marriage valid, when in fact the US Embassy notified USCIS and USCIS notified the Philippine government. This was an inside job between NSO (now known as PSA) who personally new my fake wife's kids teacher. I think that's why the Philippine government has never removed it from their database. So, that's why I'm going to be filing a fiancee visa so she can get married to me here in the USA, because USA government has already granted me a legal bonafide divorce.

My main concern is how the Cenomar and US Embassy can work together in unison to help grant her a K1 visa?

[Crazy Cat 46,525]

***I moved this to the Philippines Regional forum where the PI experts will respond***

[Boiler 48,928]

We have members with multiple Filipino wives, I know I have seen 5, so a lot of expertise here.

 

I am sort of surprised USCIS notified the PI Government, never seen something like that. 

 

This is one situation where an annulment would have been more appropriate?

[EatBulaga 530]

16 hours ago, Charz54 said:

The previous Filipina I was actually "fake married" to her because she concealed having a fake death certificate from her separated husband and never disclosed it until forced to do so during that her US Embassy interview. Bottom line, the Philippine government is still showing our marriage valid, when in fact the US Embassy notified USCIS and USCIS notified the Philippine government. This was an inside job between NSO (now known as PSA) who personally new my fake wife's kids teacher. I think that's why the Philippine government has never removed it from their database.

 

I don't quite follow you here.

The previous Filipina showed the death certificate (fake) along with her Cenomar (at the time) to the US Embassy, so you could marry her and register the marriage in the Philippines and the US?

You married the previous Filipina and registered the marriage in the Philippines and the US (which state?)?

You divorced the previous Filipina in the US (which state?)?

The previous Filipina is still married to you in the Philippines registered in the PSA?

Could all these be done without the US Embassy reporting back to the Philippines?

 

16 hours ago, Charz54 said:

My main concern is how the Cenomar and US Embassy can work together in unison to help grant her a K1 visa?

 

My understanding is that Philippines Cenomar and US Embassy are independent and do not "work" together.

The US Embassy depends on the Cenomar for the Filipina to be eligible for marriage along with any death certificates or marriage annulments of previous spouse. With your US divorce papers, you are eligible to marry in the US.

 

So since you are technically still married to the previous Filipina in the Philippines, you will not be able to Report of Marriage (ROM) in the Philippines with your current Filipina.

This may have some ramifications if you have assets in the Philippines such as bank accounts, when you pass away. The previous Filipina could claim your assets as the spouse on record. Other than that, the previous Filipina will have problems trying to marry again until you two get the marriage annulled.

 

Or am I missing something?

[top_secret 2,787]

The basic story here seems simple and is no problem whatsoever.  You were previously married to a Filipina.  You seemingly might have attempted to get her some sort of US Visa at some point(??).  You got a fully legal divorce finalized in the US from the former Filipina spouse.  You now want to get a K1 visa for a new Filipina fiancee.  Philippine government does not recognize divorce....

 

Simple.  Get the new fiance a K1 visa.  There is no mention of any divorce problems or any other problems with the new fiancee.  You apparently are fully divorced in the US.  That is all the US cares about.  You are single and therefore eligible to marry.   They could care less if the Philippine government tells the US government they are wrong about the definition of divorce.  Your CENOMAR would almost never be requested.  It seems the new fiancee's CENOMAR is likely clean(???).  No problem.  Get the visa.  Disclose everything about your former marriage as is.

 

On 4/25/2026 at 3:57 PM, Charz54 said:

The previous Filipina I was actually "fake married" to her because she concealed having a fake death certificate from her separated husband and never disclosed it until forced to do so during that her US Embassy interview. Bottom line, the Philippine government is still showing our marriage valid, when in fact the US Embassy notified USCIS and USCIS notified the Philippine government. This was an inside job between NSO (now known as PSA) who personally new my fake wife's kids teacher. I think that's why the Philippine government has never removed it from their database.

 

 

This is where it all gets weird and complicated. "Fake married" is not really a thing.  Its fraudulent marriage.  If the previous marriage was fraudulent either with or without your knowledge it could complicate everything.  It says your former spouse was forced to explain that at her US Embassy interview???  So how did that all play out and is that fully legally addressed in whatever "US divorce" you have.

[W199 572]

Depending on what State you live in, if you didn't know the marriage was fake until after you married her, then you should have gotten an annulment not a divorce. But if you knew before the marriage, than a divorce is often what a judge would require.  

 

For your new fiance, I don't see any issue with getting a VISA. The USA requirements is for only a cenomar for the beneficiary to prove she is not married. And the USA only requires your USA divorce certificate   Or you can do a Utah virtual wedding to get a USA marriage certificate while she is still in the Philippines.  Then you can do a CR-1 VISA, though it will take longer. 

 

The problem will be in getting the CFO certificate for your new Wife/fiance for her to leave the Philippines.    You will need to get "judicial recognition of a foreign divorce" in the Philippines, and an annotated PSA. You better start that ASAP and consult with a few more layers in USA and Philippines.