Divorce Certificate (Court Decree) Apostille & Attestation
Certified copies of Indian divorce decrees from family and civil courts, apostilled or attested for remarriage, visas and status updates abroad.
There is no separate 'divorce certificate' in India
In India, a divorce is granted by a decree of a Family Court or civil court, for example under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (including divorce by mutual consent under section 13B), the Special Marriage Act, 1954 or the Divorce Act, 1869. What a foreign authority calls a 'divorce certificate' is usually a certified copy of the decree, sometimes with the judgment, obtained from the court's copying section.
Which route applies
The certified copy is notarised where required and then authenticated by the Home Department or GAD of the state (the SDM in some places), before the MEA applies an Apostille or attestation. For countries where the Apostille Convention does not apply with India, embassy attestation follows.
Practical points before you start
- Certified copy, not a printout. An order downloaded from a court website, or a plain photocopy, is not a certified copy and is unlikely to be accepted. Apply to the court that granted the divorce.
- Decree, judgment or both. The decree is the formal order; the judgment sets out the reasons. Some authorities want both, so if in doubt, obtain certified copies of each.
- Proof that the decree is final. For remarriage in particular, some authorities ask for evidence that no appeal is pending. Your lawyer can advise how to obtain this.
- Language. Decrees from district courts may be partly in the regional language, such as Marathi or Gujarati, and a translation may be needed; see Document Translation.
- Keep pages together. Multi-page certified copies should stay bound as issued; do not unstaple or separate them.
- Names. Check that the names in the decree match your passport. If your surname has changed since, keep the documents that show the link.
- Divorces granted abroad are legalised in the country where they were granted, not through the MEA.
Remarrying abroad
If you plan to marry abroad after a divorce, the registrar there will usually want the legalised decree together with a single status declaration describing you as divorced. Preparing both together can save a second round of processing.
Requirements for remarriage vary, so confirm them with the registrar abroad, then request a quote or check the Service Finder.
Common reasons it is needed abroad
- Remarriage abroad
- Updating marital status for visas, residence or citizenship
- Reverting to a previous surname on records abroad
- Child custody or maintenance matters abroad
- Pension, insurance or property matters
What we need from you
- Certified copy of the divorce decree, and of the judgment if required, from the court
- Passport copy of the applicant
- Destination country and purpose
- Any proof of finality the receiving authority has asked for
- Signed authorisation letter, where required
Which route for your destination?
MEA Apostille is usually enough
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Ireland
France
Italy
Spain
Netherlands
Belgium
Switzerland
Portugal
Sweden
Japan
South Korea
Singapore
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Bahrain
Vietnam
South Africa
Mauritius
Philippines
Indonesia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
Kuwait
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
China
Thailand
GermanyFrequently asked questions
Can I apostille a divorce order downloaded from a court website?
Generally not. State departments and the MEA expect a certified copy issued by the court, so apply to the court that granted the divorce.
Do I need the judgment or just the decree?
Some authorities want the decree alone and others want both. If you are unsure, obtain certified copies of both and confirm with the receiving authority.
Is a mutual consent divorce handled differently?
No. A decree under section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act follows the same authentication route as any other divorce decree.
What else might I need to remarry abroad?
Often a single status declaration describing you as divorced and, in some cases, evidence that the decree is final. The registrar abroad will confirm what it needs.
Related documents
Not sure which route your document needs?
Tell us the document and the destination country. We will confirm the route, the documents we need from you and a quotation — before you send anything.