Getting Divorced in Georgia as a Foreigner
Foreigners can divorce in Georgia in 5 working days if both agree, or through the courts if they don't. Who can file here, how property is split and how to get it recognized at home.
Overview
- If both spouses agree, you can register a divorce at the Public Service Hall. It takes 5 working days and costs 60 GEL.
- If one spouse objects, can't be reached, or you disagree about property or children, the divorce goes to court. An uncontested court case takes about 4 to 6 months, in Georgian.
- Georgia generally handles a foreigner's divorce when at least one spouse is Georgian or holds a Georgian residence permit, or the marriage was registered in Georgia.
- Property bought during the marriage is usually split equally. To use a Georgian divorce at home, you'll need an apostille and a translation.
Divorce is hard anywhere. Doing it in a country where you don't speak the language adds a layer. The good news is that an agreed divorce in Georgia is very fast. The court route is slower and runs in Georgian, so most foreigners use a lawyer for it.
Information current as of October 28, 2026.
Can you divorce in Georgia?
Georgia generally deals with a divorce between foreigners when:
- at least one spouse is a Georgian citizen, or
- at least one spouse holds a Georgian residence permit, or
- the marriage was registered in Georgia.
If you married abroad and neither of you has a Georgian permit, you'll usually need to divorce in the country where you married or through your consulate.
Divorce by agreement
If you both agree to divorce, you can file together at the Public Service Hall. You'll need:
- a joint written application.
- both passports, with notarized Georgian translations.
- your marriage certificate. A foreign certificate needs an apostille and a Georgian translation.
The fee is 60 GEL, and the divorce is registered 5 working days after you file. If either of you changes your mind in that time, it doesn't go through. One spouse can file through a representative with a notarized power of attorney.
This route registers the divorce. It doesn't settle property or children. If you have things to agree on, write a separate agreement, ideally with a lawyer, so you're not left arguing later.
Divorce through the courts
You'll go to court when one spouse doesn't agree, can't be found, or you can't agree on property, child support or where the children will live. The court fee is 100 GEL. An uncontested case takes around 4 to 6 months. A disputed case takes longer.
Court proceedings are in Georgian. You'll need an interpreter, and in practice a Georgian lawyer to file and argue the case.
One specific rule: a husband can't file for divorce while his wife is pregnant or within a year of the birth, without her consent.
Property
Property acquired during the marriage is usually split equally, unless you have a marriage contract that says otherwise. Some things stay with the spouse who owns them:
- property owned before the marriage.
- inheritances and gifts.
- personal items, except jewelry.
- items used for a spouse's work.
Shared debts are split in proportion to each spouse's share. A claim to divide property has to be made within three years of the divorce.
If the property is in Georgia, Georgian law will be central. If you also own property abroad, the courts there may take a different view of it.
Children
Parents who agree on where the children live and on support can set this out in an agreement. If they don't agree, the court decides based on the child's interests. Child support claims in court don't carry a state fee.
If you plan to move a child out of Georgia after the divorce, get advice early. Moving a child across borders without the other parent's agreement can lead to serious legal trouble.
Using a Georgian divorce at home
To have a Georgian divorce recognized in the US, UK, Canada or Australia, you'll generally need:
- the divorce certificate or court decision.
- an apostille from the Public Service Hall in Georgia.
- a translation into English, if your home country requires its own.
Some countries also want the divorce entered in a local register. Check with your consulate or a lawyer at home.
If you're on a spouse permit
If your Georgian residence permit is based on marriage to a Georgian citizen, divorce ends that basis. You'll need a different route to stay. See the spouse permit rules and compare options in our guide to Georgian residence permits.
How we can help
We file agreed divorces, draft property and child agreements, and represent foreigners in Georgian divorce cases, explaining every step in English. We also get your documents apostilled for use at home. Talk to us about your case or see what we do.