Review of the Department of the Navy's Decision Not to Issue a Dependent's Identification Card for Noemi Baldwin, as Wife of Lieutenant Commander Merritt W. Baldwin, Jr., U.S Navy, Retired
Abstract
Further reference is made to your letter of May 27, 1981, with enclosures, asking us to review the Department of the Navy's decision not to issue a dependent's identification card for Noemi Baldwin, as wife of Lieutenant Commander Merritt W. Baldwin, Jr., U.S. Navy, Retired. The Navy's decision was based upon the circumstances surrounding Commander Baldwin's divorce from Evelyn Baldwin which was obtained on February 25, 1974, in the Court of First Instance, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Navy has stated that its determination was guided by our decisions which conclude that a divorce decree obtained in a foreign country by United States citizens not domiciled in that country will not be given effect unless affirmed by a United States court of competent jurisdiction. The Navy decision, was based on the conclusion that neither party to the divorce proceedings was domiciled in the Dominican Republic. This is further evidenced by a translation of the divorce decree which states that both parties were domiciled in the State of Maryland. As a result, both the member's divorce and his subsequent marriage are subject to challenge, and it was for this reason that an identification card was not issued to Noemi Baldwin.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 27, 1981
- Accession Number
- AD1119486
Entities
People
- Milton J. Socolar
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office