Register Foreign Divorce in Croatia

For those seeking to have a register a foreign divorce in Croatia, it's essential to understand the legal procedures and requirements to ensure the foreign decision is legally acknowledged within the Croatian jurisdiction. 

This service aims to assist clients through the complex process of having their foreign divorce decrees recognized, thus making them effective under Croatian law. Those who typically benefit from this service include:

• Individuals who have obtained a divorce outside of Croatia and wish to have it recognized within the Croatian legal system.
• Expats residing in Croatia who divorced abroad.
• Croatian citizens who obtained a divorce decree while abroad.

• An official copy of the foreign divorce decree, duly legalized or apostilled, depending on the country of origin.
• A certified translation of the divorce decree into Croatian.

1. Initial consultation to review the divorce decree and related documents.
2. Preparation and submission of the application for recognition to the relevant court.
3. Representation in court, if necessary, to address any legal challenges or requirements.
4. Regular updates on the progress and status of your application.

• Expertise in Croatian and international family law: Ensuring your application is handled professionally.
• Streamlined process: Minimizing the need for your presence and reducing the overall time required.
• Legal certainty: Enabling the legal effects of your foreign divorce in Croatia, such as marital status update and potential implications on property rights.

• Comprehensive support from the initial assessment to the final recognition of the divorce.
• Advice on the collection and preparation of all necessary documents.
• Professional handling of the entire recognition process with Croatian authorities.

• In Croatia, the regulation of the recognition and registration of foreign divorces is primarily governed by the "Law on International Private Law" (Zakon o međunarodnom privatnom pravu), which provides the legal framework for the recognition of foreign judicial decisions, including divorces. This law outlines the general conditions under which foreign legal decisions can be recognized and enforced in Croatia.
• The process typically involves submitting an application for the recognition of a foreign court decision to a Croatian court. The court examines the application to ensure that it meets the following criteria:
  • Jurisdiction: The foreign court had jurisdiction according to Croatian law on international private law.
  • Finality and Enforceability: The decision is final and enforceable in the country where it was issued.
  • Due Process: The parties involved were given appropriate notice and an opportunity to participate in the proceedings.
  • Public Policy: The recognition of the decision does not contravene Croatian public policy (ordre public).
• Additionally, the "Family Law Act" (Obiteljski zakon) may also contain relevant provisions regarding family matters, including those related to marriage and divorce, that could indirectly affect the process of recognizing foreign divorces.
• After a foreign divorce is recognized by the Croatian court, it can then be registered in the appropriate Croatian registry, making the divorce officially recognized in Croatia.