Register Foreign Divorce in Portugal

Who it is for

This service is for people who were divorced in another country and need that divorce officially accepted in the country. You may need this to marry again there, or to enforce child support, meaning money for a child's care, set in a foreign divorce against someone who lives there.

Two situations

• Divorce from an EU country: it is valid directly, thanks to a 2012 EU rule. No extra court process is needed.
• Divorce from outside the EU: a court process called exequatur is usually needed. This is how a court accepts a foreign ruling.

How it works

• The lawyer checks whether there is an agreement between this country and the country where the divorce was granted.
• If there is none, the exequatur process is started.
• The original divorce ruling is submitted with official certification from the country that issued it (legalisation or an apostille, a standard stamp that proves a document is genuine) and a certified translation if it is not in the local language.

What the service includes

• A first talk about your situation
• Preparing and submitting all documents
• Representing you in court
• Help with related legal needs afterwards

Why it helps

Once your divorce is accepted, your marital status is clear, and child support and custody arrangements made abroad can be recognised and enforced.