Documents Replacement of lost divorce certificate

If you have lost your divorce decree or your divorce decree (divorce certificate), you can apply for a new certified copy or copy at the local court 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 assure the court that you have lost the divorce certificate.

It can be very helpful for the court if you can provide the file number of your divorce proceedings at the time. You may still be able to find a letter from the court or your lawyer on which the file number is printed.

Please contact the competent district or family court.

None. You submit an informal application to the competent local or family court for the issue of a certified copy or copy of your divorce certificate.

In principle, court costs of EUR 0.50 per page are incurred for the production and provision of a certified copy or copy of the divorce decree.

Before you apply to the court for a new copy, you can also try to get the divorce certificate of your divorced spouse or partner or of your lawyer at the time, which are completely identical to your own divorce certificate. A copy of this divorce certificate can then be certified by a notary public or an authority authorised to do so by state law, e.g. the Citizens' Advice Bureau. The certified copy is often sufficient for legal transactions. However, you do not have a claim to the surrender of the divorce certificate.