Married in PI, Divorcing in US.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Some infos you guys might need.

I(Filipino citizen) Initiated the divorce not to remarry in the Philippines just to solely dissolve my marriage to "John" (USC) and remarry here in the US.

-Can I use my single name again or I still have to keep my married last name?

Once the divorce is final, that CERTIFIED decree acts as a name change document. You will need to attend the SSA, DMV etc to change your name back to your maiden name.

So If I initited the divorce I am no longer eligible for the 3 yrs (based in marriage) citizenship rather becomes 5 yrs.

so the picture changes here... Aftr that 5 yrs span, I remarry, then became citizen, what will happen to the previous divorce decree? Can I have it recognize now by the Philippine law?

No. It doesn't matter WHO initiates the divorce in terms of you applying for USC. Getting divorced (whoever starts it) means that you need to wait 5 years (from first becomming an LPR) instead of 3 if you were still married. There is a date on your GC that says "resident since" and add 5 years (minus 90 days) to that date and that's when you're eligible.. as long as you haven't spent more than 6 months out of the US since being an LPR per year.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am not yet a US Citizen, but I am currently possesing a 10 yr GC.

So If we divorced, as long as I have a final divorce decree I am free to re-marry in the US, but not in the Philippines since I have to have an annulment?

Did I got it correctly?

If your USC husband initiated the divorce you could use that to cancel out your marriage in the philippines. If you started it (which you said you did) then you can't.

You would be free to marry in the US no matter what, but if it's possible to change the petitioning party, I would if you could. From what I've read it's INFINITELY easier if the man petitions (when it comes to the Philippines side).

Edited January 10, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[wanted:happiness 0]

Thank you so much for the replies! It's now crystal clear to me.

After my divorce, I will just wait until I can apply for USC (5 yrs from the date of Residency issuance) since I divorced my husband soon to be ex.

I don't have any future expectations to re-marry in the Philippines so I guess I wont have to worry about that. But there is this person who is offering his admiration towards me that might end up into something beautiful, so If I re- marry here in the US, I am free to do so.

Thank you again for all the informative input you guys have provided. It did help a lot.

Edited January 10, 2011 by wanted:happiness