Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Should I register my divorce in US?

My husband and I married in Ghana and later came here as Permanent Residents. Much later, the marriage went down and I went back home and had a legal divorce.Although my husband was served by the Ghanaian court here in the US, and he acknowledged receipt of the service, he did not put in a defense.The court later heard the case and granted me divorce and our Foreign Affairs ministry has authenticated the divorce decree.Do I have to present the certificate to the US?Who should I give a copy of the document to and how?


Asked on 4/09/07, 2:52 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Should I register my divorce in US?

If the divorce was carried out in full accord with the laws of Ghana(including proper service on the defendant here in the United States), then it should be recognized as a valid divorce here in the U.S. and there is no need for you to attempt to have it revalidated here in th U.S. by presenting a certificate to anyone or any agency----at least until someone asks to review it for a valid reason.

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Answered on 4/09/07, 3:09 pm
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Should I register my divorce in US?

You would, however, need to register your Ghanian decree with an appropriate court in the United States if at some future time you wished to have any rights and/or obligations which have been incorporated/ordered in this decree recognized by the U.S court and subject to its enforcemnt powers and authority.

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Answered on 4/09/07, 3:24 pm


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