Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Divorce completed in Japan, - What do I need to do in the US or Virginia?

Question: I married a Japanese (female) national 15 years ago in Virginia. Two weeks later we moved to Japan. We separated approx. 2 years later. We had a child 3 years ago. I lived in Japan for the entire time of our marriage, not including the last 2 years. We never lived in Virginia while married, and the child has never visited the US. We were married in Fairfax, VA. I currently live in California.

The Japan divorce is finalized.

My Question: What needs to be done to finalize the divorce in Virginia or any other state to legally satisfy the US that I am divorced?

I do not want to remarry, and find out later that my first marriage is still in effect.

Any information, or references you could provide would be much appreciated.


Asked on 11/27/05, 3:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Divorce completed in Japan, - What do I need to do in the US or Virginia?

As long as the Japanese divorce was done in accordance with Japanese laws, it will be recognized by the courts of the United States.

There is no need for you to attempt to obtain a

divorce in U.S. courts.

If at some future time some of its provisions require enforcement by U.S Courts, it(the Japanese divorce) will first have to be enrolled/domesticated into the jurisdiction of an appropriate U.S. Court, a process whereby the

foreign order becomes the equivalent of one of the U.S. court's own domestic orders and will be enforced as such.

You will most likely require the services of an

attorney who is knowledgeable regarding this process in order to accomplish it in a manner

that will assure the Japanese decree's unimpeachable enforceability.

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Answered on 11/27/05, 6:24 pm


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