How do I obtain an EU divorce certificate?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
To register a Dutch divorce in another EU country, request the appropriate Brussels II-bis/ter certificate from the court that granted it. Denmark is excluded from this particular route.
On this page
1. Destination and purpose
Check the destination and purpose. This route concerns recognition and registration of a Dutch divorce elsewhere in the EU, except Denmark. Different rules apply for Denmark or countries outside the EU.
2. Appeal and final divorce
The certificate is available only when an appeal against the divorce is no longer possible. If an appeal about maintenance or children is pending, have the position of the divorce itself checked.
3. Decision, case and court
Find the court that granted your divorce and follow its application instructions. Gather the case number, decision and personal details. Ask which certificate version applies to your proceedings. Brussels II-ter applies to proceedings instituted on or after 1 August 2022; Brussels II-bis continues to apply to earlier proceedings. The proceedings' start date, not just the decision date, therefore matters.
Rechtspraak · Certificaat echtscheidingen ↗
Overheid · Toelichting overgangsrecht Brussel II-ter, artikel 100 ↗
4. Certificate version and costs
The certificate application is free and the certificate has no expiry date. Translation, other copies and registration abroad are not necessarily free.
5. Foreign document requirements
Contact the foreign civil registry and ask which documents and translations it requires. Possessing the certificate does not mean your divorce has already been registered there.
6. Registration confirmation
Submit the required documents through the foreign official process and retain confirmation. For refusal or an unusual situation, ask for reasons and legal help. Our preparation requests no certificate.
Is this the same as an apostille?
No. It is a specific EU certificate for matrimonial decisions. Do not assume the apostille route applies; ask the foreign civil registry which document it needs for your divorce.
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- Destination and purpose
- Appeal and final divorce
- Decision, case and court
- Certificate version and costs
- Foreign document requirements
- Registration confirmation
Contact with a lawyer
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View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Rechtspraak · Certificaat echtscheidingen ↗Overheid · Toelichting overgangsrecht Brussel II-ter, artikel 100 ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.