Private, confidential advice in English & 中文 — Shenzhen · Guangzhou · worldwide by video
Category
10 articles
Need to prove your Chinese divorce overseas to remarry, update records or deal with property? How notarial certificates, apostilles and translations work, and why recognition abroad depends on each country.
Read the guideA foreign divorce is not automatically effective in mainland China. When you need recognition, how to apply to the Intermediate People's Court, documents, refusal grounds and timelines.
Read the guideIf your China residence permit is based on marriage to a Chinese citizen, divorce generally removes that basis. What to report, the options for switching, and what foreign parents of Chinese children can do.
Read the guideIt depends which Hague Convention you mean. Mainland China is not party to the Child Abduction Convention (Hong Kong and Macao are), but has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 November 2023 and the Service Convention since 1992.
Read the guideMainland China is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention. What that means if your spouse takes your child to China, how to reduce the risk, and what remedies exist.
Read the guideDivorcing a spouse who lives overseas, or filing in China while you live abroad? Learn which court has jurisdiction, how service abroad works, realistic timelines and when you must appear in person.
Read the guideChinese courts can stop a party to an unresolved civil case, including a Chinese citizen or a foreigner, from leaving China, most often at the enforcement stage. Here is when exit bans are used in family disputes, their limits, and how to reduce the risk of a child's removal.
Read the guideFor international couples, where you file for divorce can shape property, custody and how long it takes. We compare divorcing in China with divorcing abroad and explain the key factors.
Read the guideSince November 2023, an apostille replaces consular legalisation for documents from most countries. Here is how to prepare foreign documents, and translations, for Chinese registries, courts and notaries.
Read the guideSince February 2022, Hong Kong and mainland China recognise each other's divorce, custody, maintenance and property orders under a dedicated arrangement. Here is how the process works and what to prepare.
Read the guideA free, private 30-minute consultation in English or Chinese. We'll explain your options, likely timeline and costs, and what to do first — with no pressure to go further.