Alvaro
Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain
- 1,584 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 14+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Jaén
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4.97(146 reviews)
Recognition of Foreign Divorce in Spain
A divorce granted in another country may need to be recognised before Spanish authorities accept it. Registered English-speaking lawyers explain how recognition works for EU and non-EU divorces.
About Recognition of Foreign Divorce in Spain
Recognition of a foreign divorce in Spain is the way a divorce granted in another country is accepted for use in Spanish records and procedures. It is also called registering a foreign divorce, recognising a foreign divorce decree or exequátur. It matters to people who divorced abroad and now live in Spain, want to remarry, deal with property or need the Spanish registry to show their correct marital status. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Register Foreign Divorce”.
EU and non-EU divorces
A divorce decision from a court in another EU country is generally recognised under EU rules without a separate court procedure, and can be entered in the civil registry with the right documents. For a divorce from outside the EU, a treaty between Spain and that country may apply. If there is none, the divorce goes through the exequátur procedure before a Spanish court, which checks that the foreign decision can be accepted.
Documents and related steps
The original decree is usually needed, legalised or apostilled and with a sworn translation into Spanish. Arrangements for children or maintenance decided abroad may need separate recognition or enforcement, see enforcement of foreign judgments. A copy of the decree can be obtained as described in divorce certificate or decree copy.
Questions and answers
Is a divorce from another country automatically valid in Spain?
A divorce from an EU court is generally recognised under EU rules. A divorce from a non-EU country often needs a treaty check or the exequatur procedure. Each case is assessed individually.
What is exequatur?
Exequatur is the Spanish court procedure that gives a foreign court decision effect in Spain. The court checks formal requirements; it does not re-try the divorce.
Which documents are usually asked for?
Typically the original decree with an apostille or legalisation, a sworn translation, and proof that the decision is final. The exact list depends on the country that issued it.
Does recognition also cover custody and maintenance?
Not necessarily. Arrangements for children and money may need to be recognised or enforced as well, and the procedure can differ from the one for the divorce itself.
Is recognition the same as registration?
No. Recognition accepts the foreign decision; registration updates the civil registry record of the marriage. Where recognition is required, it comes first. See also divorce in Spain.
21 lawyers who provide Recognition of Foreign Divorce in Spain
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Albert
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 294 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 28+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Barcelona, Glasgow University School of Law
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4.95(4 reviews)
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Miguel
Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain
- 254 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 26+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Oviedo
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4.98(22 reviews)
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Inma
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 910 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law
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4.95(59 reviews)
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José
Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain
- 786 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Alicante University
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4.99(97 reviews)
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Inma
Lawyer · Valencia, Spain
- 716 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Valencia
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4.99(56 reviews)
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Federico
Lawyer · Madrid, Spain
- 440 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 25+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, French, Spanish
- Law, Complutense University Madrid (San Pablo)
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4.82(14 reviews)
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María
Lawyer · Estepona, Spain
- 184 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English
- Law, University Granada
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4.60(5 reviews)
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Juan
Lawyer · Madrid, Spain
- 164 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 10+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Degree in Law, Deusto University (Bilbao, Basque Country)
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4.86(7 reviews)
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Rosa
Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain
- 1,612 cases handled
- 17+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of the Balearic Islands
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4.98(162 reviews)
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Raffaele
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 1,553 cases handled
- 15+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish
- Spanish Law; Italian Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Università degli Studi di Milano
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4.90(38 reviews)
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María-José
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 691 cases handled
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
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4.98(53 reviews)
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Francisca
Lawyer · Gandia, Spain
- 469 cases handled
- 21+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- University of Valencia
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4.83(35 reviews)
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Domingo
Lawyer · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- 372 cases handled
- 19+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Salamanca
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4.94(28 reviews)
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Rafael
Lawyer · Seville, Spain
- 204 cases handled
- 31+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Seville
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4.81(27 reviews)
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Daniel
Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain
- 137 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, Italian, English, Portuguese, French
- Law, UIB
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5.00(5 reviews)
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Francisco
Lawyer · Cadiz, Spain
- 136 cases handled
- Speaks: English
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4.63(5 reviews)
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Juan Ignacio
Lawyer · Vera, Spain
- 117 cases handled
- 15+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Almeria
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4.93(21 reviews)
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Maria
Lawyer · Girona, Spain
- 60 cases handled
- 23+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
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4.38(8 reviews)
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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
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Ramon
Lawyer · Almeria, Spain
- 13+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Almeria University
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