OVERVIEW
The cost of filing a Petition for Recognition of Divorce in the Philippines will be between 200 thousand to 250 thousand pesos. The final cost will depend on certain factors like the place of filing , the complexity of the issues involved, and how easily the required documents can be obtained.
ITEMIZED COSTS
1)Attorney’s Fees- 150 thousand pesos to 200 thousand pesos.
The fees that a lawyer will charge will depend on experience and specialization in the field of Family Law and recognition of foreign divorce. Another factor that will affect the cost will be the venue or the place where the petition is going to be filed. There are basically two choices for this, the place where the marriage is registered or where the petition resides. Of these two options, the simpler one would be the place of registration of the marriage which is usually where the marriage was celebrated. For those married abroad and where the marriage is registered with the Philippine embassy or consulate, the place of filing would be Pasay City since that is where the Department of Foreign Affairs is located and where foreign marriages involving Filipino citizens are recorded.
2) Cost of obtaining an apostilled copy of the divorce decree or order . -10 thousand pesos to 20,000 pesos
This is determined by the court where the divorce was obtained. In many instances, this can be requested online or by mail for a fee. However, there could be additional costs if the Petitioner could not easily obtain an apostilled copy of the divorce decree or order , for example if he or she is no longer residing in the country where the divorce was applied for. Travel and/or courier costs could add to the final cost for this item.
3) Cost of obtaining an apostilled copy of the divorce law. –20 thousand pesos to 30 thousand pesos
The law requires an authenticated and apostilled copy of the law in effect at the time the divorce was obtained. So this is not necessarily the law currently that is prevailing at the time of the filing of the Petition. A local lawyer can sometimes help in the process especially if the documents have to be translated to English. The document is normally available in the legislature or law-making body of the state where the divorce was obtained. These government agencies have law libraries or repositories for statutes pertaining to divorce. After obtaining a certified copy of the divorce law signed by the authorized representative of the office, this is endorsed to the Secretary of State or Foreign Affairs (or its equivalent in that country) who is authorized by the Hague Convention to do the apostille of the document. Again, there could be additional costs involved if the Petitioner is no longer residing in the country where the divorce was filed and granted.
4) Court Filing Fee- approximately 2,500 pesos. The exact filing fee will be reflected in the receipt issued by the Supreme Court.
5) Annotation fee with the Civil Registrar’s office and the PSA– 5,000 pesos
6) Miscellaneous Expenses- 13,500 pesos to 42.500 pesos.
NOTE: The amounts stated here are mere approximations and may not reflect the exact amounts.
