Filing for divorce from abroad (US citizens)?
Posted by oneiric_one@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 10 comments
My husband and I are both US citizens who got married in the US. I also have EU citizenship and we both live in the EU. I want to get divorced, but technically neither of us have residency in any US state because we have lived abroad for quite a long time. I was wondering if anyone has navigated something like this before?
I found this online: "You can’t just file for divorce anywhere. A valid and legal divorce can only be granted in the home state or domicile of either the husband or the wife."
I have no idea where to file since we don't have state residencies.
Emily_Postal@reddit
Where did you last live in the US? That’s your state for voting purposes and tax purposes it may be your state for divorce purposes. Your local US consulate can help you figure it out.
Fantastic-Tip9801@reddit
If i was you, i would contact the US embassy/consulate where you live. They may be able to provide some guidance.
Jinniblack@reddit
Do you have property/assets in the US? You may need a US attorney to help execute that judgment in that case. (I used to be a family law attorney.)
Safe_Place8432@reddit
I filed in the country where I had my work and residence permit.
Apprehensive-Top3675@reddit
In the country you live in now.
MostlyBrine@reddit
If you have a EU citizenship you can divorce in any EU country. You can divorce anywhere in the world where you are a legal resident, however the decision will not be recognized everywhere else, as many countries do not recognize jurisdiction over noncitizens for civil matters, unless there is a legal treaty between them. Case in point: EU citizens divorced in EU - divorce is recognized everywhere in EU. EU citizens divorced in USA- divorce is not recognized in EU and need a EU civil court to rule on the divorce.
Several_Crow4181@reddit
Correct.
American and Aussie who (painfully) divorced in Singapore.
katmndoo@reddit
Get divorced where you live now.
If at all possible, get extra copies of the decree and have them apostilled for future use.
ke7zom@reddit
You can file in the country you currently live in. You don't need a "US" divorce, any old divorce will do.
Philip3197@reddit
where do you live now?