Sweden divorce

Legal Framework

  • Marriage Code (Äktenskapsbalk, 1987:230)

Competent Authority

  • District court (tingsrätt) in the place where either of the spouses are habitually resident
  • If neither of the spouses are habitually resident in Sweden, the Stockholm district court has jurisdiction

Access Requirements

  • The application can be submitted:
    • Jointly by both spouses
    • By a single spouse
  • Since 1974, there has been no institute of legal separation in Sweden

Procedure

  • The application can be submitted electronically
  • A reflection period may apply:
    • In case of joint application by both spouses, the reflection period may apply
    • In case only one spouse applies, the reflection period shall apply

(No reflection period applies if the spouses had lived separately for at least two years; bigamous divorce; marriage likely to have been forced; entered into prior to the age of 18; between close relatives)

  • After six months, and either of the spouses confirm their wish to divorce, the district court adopts a decision on divorce
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