Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Spain

In Spain a divorce is usually proved by a certified copy of the court decree or by a civil registry certificate that shows the divorce. English-speaking lawyers request the right document and arrange the apostille and translation if it is going abroad.
lawyers in Spain
24
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51
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4.95 ★

About Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Spain

People call it a divorce certificate, divorce decree, divorce papers or a copy of the sentencia de divorcio. In Spain this usually means one of two documents: a certified copy of the court decree (or of the notarial deed, where the divorce was made before a notary), or a certificate from the Registro Civil showing the divorce noted on the marriage entry. English-speaking registered lawyers can request the right one and prepare it for use in Spain or abroad. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Certificate of Divorce”.

Decree or certificate

The decree is the document that ended the marriage, and the court holds it. The registry certificate (a certificación literal of the marriage entry) shows the marriage with a marginal note recording the divorce. Which of the two an authority wants depends on the purpose, so the first step is to ask the body that requires it.

When it is asked for

  • Remarrying in Spain or in another country.
  • Updating records, or a residence or citizenship file.
  • Property, pension or inheritance matters.
  • Having the divorce accepted in another country (see recognition of a foreign divorce).

How it usually goes

Basic details are enough to start: the date and place of the divorce and the court that granted it, ideally with the case number. The lawyer asks the court or the registry for a certified copy and arranges an apostille and a sworn translation if the document is going abroad. If you are not in Spain, a power of attorney lets the lawyer act for you.

Questions and answers

Is there a separate "divorce certificate" in Spain?

The usual proof is the court decree or a registry certificate of the marriage showing the divorce note. Which one a foreign body expects is worth asking before ordering.

What is the difference between the decree and a certificate?

The decree is the court's decision. The certificate is the registry's record of the marriage and of the divorce noted on it.

Do I need an apostille and a translation?

For use in another country the authority there often asks for both. Some EU countries apply simplified rules, and the receiving body decides.

Can I get a copy if I do not have the case number?

Often yes. The date, the place and the court that granted the divorce are usually enough to trace the file.

Can it be requested from abroad?

Yes, through a lawyer in Spain acting for you, usually with a power of attorney.

24 lawyers who provide Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Spain

Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.

  • Alvaro, lawyer in Fuengirola

    Alvaro

    Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain

    • 1,584 cases handled · 9 in this service
    • 14+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English
    • Law, Jaén
    • 4.97(146 reviews)
    Contact Alvaro
  • Inma, lawyer in Murcia City

    Inma

    Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain

    • 910 cases handled · 7 in this service
    • 11+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law
    • 4.95(59 reviews)
    Contact Inma
  • Raffaele, lawyer in Barcelona

    Raffaele

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 1,553 cases handled · 6 in this service
    • 15+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish
    • Spanish Law; Italian Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Università degli Studi di Milano
    • 4.90(38 reviews)
    Contact Raffaele
  • Rosa, lawyer in Mallorca

    Rosa

    Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain

    • 1,612 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 17+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of the Balearic Islands
    • 4.98(162 reviews)
    Contact Rosa
  • José, lawyer in Alicante City

    José

    Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain

    • 786 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 22+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Alicante University
    • 4.99(97 reviews)
    Contact José
  • Francisca, lawyer in Gandia

    Francisca

    Lawyer · Gandia, Spain

    • 469 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 21+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • University of Valencia
    • 4.83(35 reviews)
    Contact Francisca
  • Federico, lawyer in Madrid

    Federico

    Lawyer · Madrid, Spain

    • 440 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 25+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, German, French, Spanish
    • Law, Complutense University Madrid (San Pablo)
    • 4.82(14 reviews)
    Contact Federico
  • Juan, lawyer in Madrid

    Juan

    Lawyer · Madrid, Spain

    • 164 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 10+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Degree in Law, Deusto University (Bilbao, Basque Country)
    • 4.86(7 reviews)
    Contact Juan
  • Domingo, lawyer in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

    Domingo

    Lawyer · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    • 372 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 19+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Salamanca
    • 4.94(28 reviews)
    Contact Domingo
  • Miguel, lawyer in Oviedo

    Miguel

    Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain

    • 254 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 26+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Oviedo
    • 4.98(22 reviews)
    Contact Miguel
  • Francisco, lawyer in Cadiz

    Francisco

    Lawyer · Cadiz, Spain

    • 136 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • Speaks: English
    • 4.63(5 reviews)
    Contact Francisco
  • Juan Ignacio, lawyer in Vera

    Juan Ignacio

    Lawyer · Vera, Spain

    • 117 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 15+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Almeria
    • 4.93(21 reviews)
    Contact Juan Ignacio
  • María-José, lawyer in Murcia City

    María-José

    Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain

    • 691 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 22+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English
    • Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
    • 4.98(53 reviews)
    Contact María-José
  • Oscar, lawyer in Barcelona

    Oscar

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 677 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 20+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Barcelona
    • 4.97(57 reviews)
    Contact Oscar
  • Albert, lawyer in Barcelona

    Albert

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 294 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 28+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Barcelona, Glasgow University School of Law
    • 4.95(4 reviews)
    Contact Albert
  • Rafael, lawyer in Seville

    Rafael

    Lawyer · Seville, Spain

    • 204 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 31+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Seville
    • 4.81(27 reviews)
    Contact Rafael
  • Maria, lawyer in Girona

    Maria

    Lawyer · Girona, Spain

    • 60 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 23+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
    • 4.38(8 reviews)
    Contact Maria
  • María Luz, lawyer in Marbella

    María Luz

    Lawyer · Marbella, Spain

    • 24 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 3+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law Degree, University of Granada
    • 5.00(2 reviews)
    Contact María Luz
  • Angela, lawyer in Fuengirola

    Angela

    Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain

    • 381 cases handled
    • 27+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Business and Company Administration, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE)
    • 5.00(30 reviews)
    Contact Angela
  • Sabela, lawyer in Vigo

    Sabela

    Lawyer · Vigo, Spain

    • 250 cases handled
    • 17+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Santiago de Compostela
    • 4.96(29 reviews)
    Contact Sabela
  • Esther, lawyer in Maspalomas

    Esther

    Lawyer · Maspalomas, Spain

    • 229 cases handled
    • 23+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, German
    • Law, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
    • 4.99(17 reviews)
    Contact Esther
  • María, lawyer in Estepona

    María

    Lawyer · Estepona, Spain

    • 184 cases handled
    • 8+ years in practice
    • Speaks: Spanish, English
    • Law, University Granada
    • 4.60(5 reviews)
    Contact María
  • Jesus, lawyer in Santiago de Compostela

    Jesus

    Lawyer · Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    • 16 cases handled
    • 3+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
    • Law Degree, University of Santiago de Compostela
    Contact Jesus
  • Ramon, lawyer in Almeria

    Ramon

    Lawyer · Almeria, Spain

    • 13+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Almeria University
    Contact Ramon
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What our clients say about our service in Spain

  • 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.
    — Michelle
    31 Jul 2023
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    24 Apr 2023
  • The lawyer was in touch with me constantly, so the whole transition went far more smoothly, and I was very satisfied.
    — Cornelius
    03 Mar 2023
  • My attempt to instruct a different solicitor went nowhere: he was unhelpful and kept putting me off. So I turned to this service. In a couple of hours the lawyer was in touch. When I explained my situation he told me straight away there would be no problems, and he kept his word: for me there truly were none. Replies always came by return, even on a Red Day, which had slipped my mind completely. He explained every step as we progressed, and I am completely satisfied with the result. I wholeheartedly recommend him, and I have already passed his name on to a colleague who wants to buy a property in Spain.
    — Neil
    03 Nov 2022
  • 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.
    — Heather
    30 Jan 2026
    Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy
  • 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!
    — Yvonne
    08 Aug 2025
  • 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.
    — Mona
    17 Apr 2025
    Divorce 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.
    — Nicola
    17 Apr 2025
    Divorce 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.
    — Liz
    05 Mar 2025
    Divorce 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.
    — Customer
    13 Jun 2024
    Divorce 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.
    — Debra
    11 Mar 2024
    Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy
  • She was very helpful and settled the matter in good time and with sensitivity.
    — Joanna
    11 Mar 2024
    Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy