Divorce abroad
You wish to report your divorce.
Foreign decisions on divorce or legal separation are normally recognised in Switzerland when handed down in the country of domicile or of habitual residence, or the state of nationality of one of the spouses, or if recognised in one of these countries (Federal Act on Private International Law (SR 291)).
Federal Act on Private International Law (SR 291) (de, fr, it)
To register a divorce pronounced abroad in the Swiss civil status register (Infostar), the originals of the following documents must be as a rule submitted to the Swiss representation with any necessary legalisation for forwarding to Switzerland:
- divorce decree with the date on which it takes effect
- decision concerning the parental authority of any children of the couple with the date when it takes effect
- where applicable, changes of address of the divorced couple
These documents are intended to the competent civil status authority and will not be returned.
Divorce in Malta
- Divorce decree with the date on which it takes effect
- Att taz-zwieg / Act of marriage
- Copy of identity document indicating surname after divorce, if available
- Current address of the divorced couple
Please note:
All certificates of civil status issued in Malta have to be provided with an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta.
Most certificates of civil status can be requested with apostille online visiting the website of the Ministry for home affairs:
The Swiss Embassy in Rome will only accept original documents (no photocopies) and only documents not older than six months.
Dissolution of Civil Union in Malta
- Dissolution decree with the date on which it takes effect
- Att ta' unijoni civili / Act of civil union
- Copy of identity document indicating surname after divorce, if available
- Current address of the divorced couple
Please note:
All certificates of civil status issued in Malta have to be provided with an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta.
Most certificates of civil status can be requested with apostille online visiting the website of the Ministry for home affairs:
The Swiss Embassy in Rome will only accept original documents (no photocopies) and only documents not older than six months.
Divorce in Switzerland
In the case of a divorce pronounced in Switzerland, persons registered with a Swiss representation abroad are under an obligation to report the change of civil status. This requires submitting the following documents so that the register of the Swiss abroad can be updated:
- photocopy of the divorce decree with the date on which it takes effect
- photocopy of the decision concerning the parental authority of any children of the couple with the date when it takes effect
- Where applicable changes of address of the divorced couple
There is no fee for the registration in question.
