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13 March 2025

Information on Civil Divorce Process

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The divorce process and legal terms can sometimes be difficult to understand. If your parents were married under civil law (this means they were not married under Muslim law), the civil divorce process would be relevant to them.

If your parents are in a Muslim marriage and are thinking of divorce, please visit the Syariah Court Singapore (SYC) website for more information.

Do note that the information provided should not be regarded as legal advice or assistance.

Civil Divorce Process

Couples must first ensure that at least one spouse is a Singapore Citizen, or has lived in Singapore for 3 continuous years. Couples who have not been married for at least 3 years must obtain permission from court to file for divorce.

The divorcing couple must prove to the court that there has been an irretrievable breakdown in their marriage. Couples can rely on use the following facts to prove the irretrievable breakdown of their marriage:

  • Adultery

  • Unreasonable behaviour

  • Desertion

  • Separation

  • Mutual Agreement

More information can be found at the Family Justice Courts (FJC)’s Divorce in Singapore: The Essentials e-brochure. The information contained in the e-brochure will help you to understand the subsequent sections on this website better.

Types of Divorce Proceedings for Civil Divorces

A divorce can proceed either on the simplified track or the normal track.

Simplified Track

Your parents could file their divorce on the simplified track if your parents are able to reach an agreement on the reason(s) for divorce (i.e. mutual agreement, unreasonable behaviour, adultery, desertion, and/or separation) prior to filing the originating application for divorce. They may or may not have reached an agreement on the ancillary matters (i.e. children issues (if applicable), maintenance, division of matrimonial assets).

This is quicker and less costly as compared to a divorce on the normal track. A divorce on the simplified track typically takes approximately 1 month for the Interim Judgment of Divorce to be granted. They will have to wait for 3 months thereafter before they can apply for the Certificate of Final Judgment. In 2020, 6 out of 10 divorcing couples filed for divorce on the simplified track.


Normal Track

If your parents are unable to reach an agreement on the reason(s) for divorce (whether or not they have reached an agreement on the ancillary matters), they would have to file their divorce on the normal track.

A divorce on the normal track may take some time to conclude, and can be costly.

Sometimes, it may not be possible to reach a full agreement on the reason(s) for divorce and all the ancillary matters prior to filing for divorce. Nevertheless, they may still reach an agreement on the contested issues later in the Court process and the divorce process can then be shortened.

Almost 9 out of 10 couples who had filed a divorce managed to reach an agreement through private negotiations or court mediation and did not need to go through an extensive court trial.

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