What you need to know first
- Consensual divorce needs no judge in France — a private deed with two lawyers, deposited with a notaire.
- For international couples, where you file first can change the financial outcome — jurisdiction is strategy.
- Each spouse must have their own lawyer in a mutual-consent divorce; it protects you, not just formality.
- Moving abroad with children mid-divorce without consent is Hague Convention child abduction.
How it works
- 1
Check jurisdiction — can (or must) you divorce in France?
For international couples, EU rules (Brussels II ter) decide which country's courts can hear the divorce — habitual residence is the main anchor. If both France and another country qualify, where you file first can matter enormously for maintenance and property outcomes. Get advice before filing anything.
- 2
Mutual consent: divorce without a judge
Since 2017, consensual divorce in France is a private deed: each spouse has their own avocat, the agreement is signed after a 15-day reflection period and deposited with a notaire — no court hearing at all. Typically a few months start to finish. Not available if a child asks to be heard by a judge or a spouse is under protection.
- 3
Contested routes: the judge decides
Without full agreement, the case goes to the juge aux affaires familiales. Grounds include accepted breakdown, definitive alteration of the marital bond (one year's separation), or fault. Expect a year or more, provisional measures on the way, and significantly higher costs.
- 4
Money, children and the home
French outcomes: a prestation compensatoire (usually a lump sum) can offset the economic imbalance the divorce creates; child support follows indicative scales; parental authority is shared by default. Which matrimonial property regime applies to an international couple is its own legal question — another reason for specialist advice.
- 5
Recognition abroad
A French divorce is recognised across the EU automatically. For non-EU home countries (UK, US, etc.) you may need certified translations and legalisation/apostille — and some countries treat the no-judge private deed differently from a court judgment. Check before relying on it for remarriage.
Get jurisdiction advice before you file anywhere
For international couples the first filing can decide maintenance and property outcomes. An English-speaking French family lawyer will tell you where you stand — usually in one consultation.
Find a family lawyer (avocat)
Directories with language filters — look for droit de la famille and international family law.
Conseil National des Barreaux
Official directory of French avocats
Avocat.fr
Search by speciality and language
Justifit
Compare family-law lawyers, many English-speaking
Some links may be partner links — using them never costs you more and helps keep our guides free.
Try mediation before litigation
Family mediation (médiation familiale) is state-supported in France, often partly funded by the CAF, and turns many contested divorces back into consensual ones — at a fraction of the cost.
Received French divorce papers you don't fully understand?
Scan your documents with our Document Assistant — it identifies each one, checks it against the rules, and tells you what's missing. Free scan; full report €45.
Frequently asked questions
Can two foreigners divorce in France?
Yes, if France has jurisdiction — typically because you are habitually resident here. You may also be able to choose which national law applies to the divorce itself under the EU Rome III regulation, which specialist lawyers use strategically.
How much does a French divorce cost?
Mutual consent with two avocats commonly runs €1,000–€4,000 total for straightforward situations plus modest notaire deposit fees; contested divorces run from several thousand euros upwards, driven by conflict, assets and duration. Legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) exists for low incomes.
Do I need my own lawyer in a mutual-consent divorce?
Yes — the law requires each spouse to have their own avocat precisely so nobody signs an unbalanced agreement. They can still work cooperatively; the deed is signed by both lawyers and both spouses.
What happens to children of international couples?
Parental authority remains joint by default and relocation abroad with the children without consent is child abduction under the Hague Convention — even mid-divorce. Any international move needs the other parent's agreement or a judge's authorisation.
Note: This page is general information, not legal advice. International divorce turns on the details of your situation — get personal advice before filing or signing anything.