Maria
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
- 436 cases handled · 7 in this service
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek, Russian
- Law, National and Capodistrian University of Athens
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4.96(35 reviews)
Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Greece
In Greece there is no stand-alone divorce certificate: a divorce is proved by the marriage act with the dissolution noted (ληξιαρχική πράξη γάμου με τη λύση του), by a certified copy of the final court judgment with its certificate of finality, or by the notarial deed of a consensual divorce. English-speaking lawyers in Greece obtain the right document, add the apostille and translation and explain when a foreign divorce has to be recognised first.
About Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Greece
People search for a divorce certificate, a divorce decree, divorce papers or a πιστοποιητικό διαζυγίου. In Greece none of these exists as a separate document. A Greek divorce is proved in one of three ways: by the marriage act from the civil registry with the dissolution noted on it (ληξιαρχική πράξη γάμου με τη λύση του), by a certified copy of the court judgment together with the certificate that it has become final (πιστοποιητικό τελεσιδικίας), or, for a divorce by mutual consent, by the notarial deed (συναινετικό διαζύγιο) and the registry note made after it. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Certificate of Divorce”. English-speaking lawyers in Greece obtain whichever document the receiving authority wants and prepare it for use abroad.
Who needs it
- People divorced in Greece who want to remarry at home or abroad, or whose new partner’s country asks for proof of the earlier divorce.
- Applicants for residence permits, pensions or citizenship whose file must show their current marital status.
- Heirs and former spouses in property or inheritance matters, where the date of the divorce decides who owns what.
- Couples divorced abroad who need the divorce noted in the Greek registry, or divorced in Greece and needing it accepted elsewhere.
How it works in Greece
If a court granted the divorce, the court holds the judgment and issues certified copies and the certificate of finality; the registry of the place where the marriage was recorded then notes the dissolution on the marriage act, which can be done only once the judgment is final. If the divorce was by mutual consent before a notary, the notarial deed is the deciding document and the dissolution takes effect when a copy is filed with the registry; the procedure has become fully electronic in recent years and the rules have been adjusted more than once. For a religious wedding, some authorities additionally ask for the church’s own certificate of spiritual dissolution. For use abroad the document receives an apostille and a certified translation. A divorce granted outside the EU is not simply noted in Greece: it is first recognised by a Greek court, see recognition of a foreign divorce and enforcement of foreign judgments.
What to look out for
Foreign registries often insist on a “divorce certificate” in a form Greece does not issue; an updated marriage act with the dissolution note, sometimes with a short explanatory letter from the lawyer, is what normally satisfies them. If the registry note was never made, for example because nobody filed the final judgment, the marriage still appears as current, and that step comes first. Names on old acts may be spelled differently from your passport. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What a lawyer does
Locates the court, notary or registry, requests the certified copy and the certificate of finality or the updated marriage act, has the note entered where it is missing, arranges the apostille and translation and, if you are abroad, acts under a power of attorney. Where the marriage itself still has to be ended, see divorce; for other civil status documents see birth, marriage and death certificates.
Questions and answers
Is there a divorce certificate in Greece at all?
Not as a separate document. The marriage act with the dissolution noted, or the final judgment, is the proof.
Which document will a foreign authority accept?
It varies. Many accept the annotated marriage act; some want the judgment with its certificate of finality. Asking first avoids ordering twice.
Can I obtain it without the court file number?
Usually yes: the names, the date and place of the marriage and the approximate year of the divorce are enough to trace it.
Do I need an apostille and a translation?
For use outside Greece in most cases, unless an EU standard form or a treaty applies; the receiving body decides.
My divorce was abroad. Can it be recorded in Greece?
Divorces from EU courts are generally recognised under EU rules; others go through a recognition procedure before a Greek court first.
5 lawyers who provide Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Despina
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 251 cases handled · 5 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek
- Law, Athens University of Law
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4.95(12 reviews)
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Joanna
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 345 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek, Italian, Spanish
- Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Universidad de Salamanca Spain- International Hellenic University- University of Cologne, Germany
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4.86(40 reviews)
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Anastasia
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 98 cases handled
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: French, English, Greek
- Law, Democritus University of Thrace
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5.00(4 reviews)
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Fotis
Lawyer · Mytilene, Greece
- 11 cases handled
- 6+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- MSc in law and informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
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What our clients say about our service in Greece
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I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025 -
Very responsive, helpful and good value for money. The lawyer was very professional and reported every step of the process. Excellent assistance. Thank you!
— Julie03 Jan 2023 -
My case was very complex and the lawyer could easily have given up on it, but she carried on and did her best. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, which removed any confusion and really saved on translation costs. Her attitude was professional.
— Heather30 Jan 2026Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
Although our deadline was very tight, the lawyer went well beyond our expectations to get us a legal document in time. She replied quickly and kept us posted as things progressed. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs this kind of help.
— Mona17 Apr 2025Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
The lawyer was patient with me while there were a few delays on my side. Once everything she needed had arrived from the UK, she moved fairly fast, and I was kept up to date all along. She provided a great service and I would definitely recommend her.
— Nicola17 Apr 2025Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
The lawyer was very helpful, even suggesting that I use the Turkish embassy here for notary services instead of paying for another solicitor, which would have cost more. He stayed in touch and kept me informed about everything. I would highly recommend both this service and him.
— Liz05 Mar 2025Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
I had a fantastic experience with the lawyer in Girona! She guided me through the Spanish legal system and answered my questions. She was easy to approach and replied to my messages as fast as she could. I highly recommend her.
— Customer13 Jun 2024Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
My partner's Turkish divorce certificate had to be certified as a copy for his UK visa application, and neither of us had any idea how to arrange it. Through this service I contacted the lawyer, and I was pleased that she grasped immediately what was needed and set it out clearly for both of us. The stress was taken out of the process and we felt completely sure it would be wrapped up fast. That is exactly what happened, and the expert advice has our gratitude.
— Debra11 Mar 2024Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
She was very helpful and settled the matter in good time and with sensitivity.
— Joanna11 Mar 2024Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
At the first contact, the lawyer took the time to email me because my mobile number had the wrong country code attached, and he wrote again later to check whether I still needed support. Working with him on a time-sensitive request was an exemplary experience. He used the information I supplied and got me what I asked for remarkably efficiently. It was also very good value for money, though that did not matter to me, since the priority was obtaining the document. He appreciated how important my request was and updated me at every step, and I was very satisfied with the outcome. Should I need more support in future from my time living in Spain, I would not hesitate to recommend him or to contact him again.
— Michelle31 Jul 2023 -
The lawyer was absolutely amazing. My situation was urgent, and she dealt with it quickly and efficiently: within literally 2-3 days everything was sorted, and the documents reached me the following day. My thanks go to her and her team. Great service that I will recommend to anyone.
— Erdem01 Jun 2023Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
I contacted the service for help with a legal problem and within just a few minutes the lawyer contacted me. He immediately told me what I needed to do and what would happen. He was very efficient, professional and non-judgemental at all times, and his English was perfect. Furthermore, he did everything possible to help me. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a hard-working, honest solicitor. He was a gentleman.
— Christina24 Apr 2023