Administrative Divorce
Administrative divorce is processed at a House of Justice service centre. It is available when three conditions are met simultaneously: both spouses consent to the divorce, there are no minor children, and neither spouse has property claims against the other. After filing a joint application, a mandatory one-month reconciliation period begins. If both spouses confirm their intention to divorce once that period ends, the divorce certificate is issued at the House of Justice on the same day.
Required documents: passports of both spouses, marriage certificate (foreign documents must carry an apostille and be translated into Georgian), and a completed joint application form.
Court Divorce
Court proceedings apply when: the couple has minor children, one spouse objects to the divorce, or the parties have not agreed on the division of jointly acquired property. The court determines where the children will live, the non-residential parent's contact schedule, the amount of child support, and how shared assets are divided. Timelines vary with the complexity of the dispute and the court's caseload — a typical range is several months to one year.
For spouses whose marriage was registered abroad, an apostilled marriage certificate with a notarised Georgian translation is required.
What We Do
We advise on which procedure applies to your situation, prepare the full document package, and represent your interests in court or accompany the administrative procedure at the House of Justice. Where property or a business in Georgia is involved, asset division is addressed as a separate matter.
Can I divorce in Georgia if my marriage was registered in another country?
Yes. If at least one spouse is a Georgian resident or has a permanent address in Georgia, Georgian courts will accept jurisdiction. The foreign marriage certificate must be apostilled and translated into Georgian.
How long does an administrative divorce take?
After filing the joint application at the House of Justice, there is a one-month reconciliation period, followed by certificate issuance on the day both parties confirm. The total process takes approximately five weeks.
Do both spouses have to be present in person?
For an administrative divorce, personal presence of both spouses is required both when filing and when confirming the application. In court proceedings, representation through a lawyer acting under a notarised power of attorney is possible.
How is property divided upon divorce in Georgia?
Property acquired during the marriage is generally divided equally. A court may deviate from equal division in the interests of minor children or if one spouse was without income for unjustified reasons. Property received as a gift or through inheritance is not subject to division.
Will a Georgian divorce be recognised in other countries?
In most cases, yes — provided the Georgian divorce certificate is properly legalised with an apostille. The recognition procedure depends on the law of the specific country and whether a bilateral treaty with Georgia exists.