Previous marriage in the Philippines burdens Common law sponsorship

[deniz_dee]

I just got my Canadian Citizen this year and I was divroced in 2004. I have a Girlfriend in the Philppines and we have a 6 year old daughter, all legal documents is under my last name, including birth certificate.

I went home last September to marry my girlfriend so I can easily sponsor them as family class but my previous marriage from my ex-wife burdens us to get married, I went to National Statistics Office and was advised that I need to have my divorce in Canada to be recognized in the Philippine law. It will take a minimum of 8 months or even more than a year and more money of course.

My question is...
1. What are our options, can I sponsor her as common-law for we have lived together all though only for 6 months, but I've been providing them financially for almost 6 years now.
2. Will my previous marriage in the Philippines be a problem all though I'm divorced here in canada if I sponsor them?
3. What possible problems will I face regarding this sponsorship.
I appreciate any advise, thanks.

[rjessome]

I just got my Canadian Citizen this year and I was divroced in 2004. I have a Girlfriend in the Philppines and we have a 6 year old daughter, all legal documents is under my last name, including birth certificate.

I went home last September to marry my girlfriend so I can easily sponsor them as family class but my previous marriage from my ex-wife burdens us to get married, I went to National Statistics Office and was advised that I need to have my divorce in Canada to be recognized in the Philippine law. It will take a minimum of 8 months or even more than a year and more money of course.

My question is...
1. What are our options, can I sponsor her as common-law for we have lived together all though only for 6 months, but I've been providing them financially for almost 6 years now.
2. Will my previous marriage in the Philippines be a problem all though I'm divorced here in canada if I sponsor them?
3. What possible problems will I face regarding this sponsorship.
I appreciate any advise, thanks.

You have two options.
1. You and your girlfriend go to another country to get married (Singapore?) where your Canadian divorce will be recognized.  Then apply under spousal category.
2. Apply as conjugal partners.

[deniz_dee]

Thanks for the advise, but I have a few question if we go to Singapore to get married...

What happens to her status in the Philippines?
Should she forward the marriage documents to National Statistics for change of last name to mine?
What about her passport, NBI, etc?
Should all her legal documents be under my last name?

[rjessome]

Thanks for the advise, but I have a few question if we go to Singapore to get married...

What happens to her status in the Philippines?
Should she forward the marriage documents to National Statistics for change of last name to mine?
What about her passport, NBI, etc?
Should all her legal documents be under my last name?

Status in the Philippines?  She's still a citizen whether she's married or not.  And the choice is hers whether or not she wants to change her ID.  It will not have an impact on her application for Canada.

[sthomas]

Thanks for the advise, but I have a few question if we go to Singapore to get married...

What happens to her status in the Philippines?
Should she forward the marriage documents to National Statistics for change of last name to mine?
What about her passport, NBI, etc?
Should all her legal documents be under my last name?

I would advise not to change her last name after you guys get married... Coz it will take 3 months now to get a passport in the Philippines. SO better let her use her maiden name while you apply ( I would assume she has a passport, right?) .....Legal documents should be all consistent...  If you use maiden name for passport, then use maiden name in your application forms

She can change her last name once she is in Canada.