Information on how to replace a lost divorce certificate
If you have lost your divorce decree or decree (divorce certificate), you can apply for a new certified copy of it at the district or family court where your divorce proceedings were conducted at the time. Only this court keeps the so-called original, i.e. the original of your divorce certificate.
You should credibly assure the court that you have lost the divorce certificate.
It can be very helpful for the court if you can give the file number of your divorce proceedings at the time. You may find a letter from the court or your lawyer with the file number printed on it.
If you have lost your divorce decree or divorce decree (divorce certificate), you can apply for a new certified copy of it at the local family court where your divorce proceedings were conducted at the time. Only this court keeps the so-called original, i.e. the original of your divorce certificate.
District Court - Family Court
- Proof of identity
- File number of the divorce proceedings
For the production and provision of a certified copy or copy of the divorce certificate, court costs of EUR 0.50 per page are generally incurred.
None
It helps if you know the file number or business number of your divorce proceedings and can share it with the court. This makes it easier for the court to search the archive. However, depending on the workload of the court, there may still be a certain amount of time. As a result, it is not possible to specify a generally valid processing time.
You submit an informal application to the competent district or family court for a certified copy or copy of your divorce certificate.
In the event of refusal to issue copies, legal remedies are available.
Since divorce decrees may contain enforceable content, the following also applies:
Pursuant to Section 730 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the opposing party must be heard before another enforceable copy is issued. If the opposing party objects and is unsuccessful, a legal remedy is possible for the other side.
Before you apply to the court for a certified copy, you can also try to obtain the divorce certificate of your divorced spouse or your lawyer at the time, which is completely identical to your own divorce certificate. A copy of this divorce certificate can then be certified by a notary or an authority authorised to do so under state law, e.g. the Bürgeramt. The certified copy is often sufficient in legal transactions. However, you are not entitled to the release of the divorce certificate.
Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
