How we work with clients in Guangzhou
Our Guangzhou office in Tianhe helps foreign residents, international traders and their families, and overseas Chinese with family ties in Guangdong through divorce, custody, property and inheritance matters. We also serve clients in Foshan and Zhuhai from here.
Family law in GuangzhouWhich court handles it in Guangzhou?
Divorce, custody and child-support cases are generally heard first by the basic (district) people's court where the defendant is domiciled — for example the courts of Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu, Liwan, Baiyun or Panyu districts. If the defendant does not live in mainland China, the court of the plaintiff's domicile can often hear a divorce.
Recognition of foreign divorce judgments, and applications under the Hong Kong–Mainland matrimonial arrangement, go to the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, which also hears appeals from the district courts.
Marriage & divorce registry in Guangzhou
Marriage and agreed-divorce registration is handled by the marriage registries of the Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau system. Registrations involving a foreign national are handled only at designated registries, with both parties attending in person. The designated office, appointment arrangements and required documents can change, so check current requirements before you go — we are happy to confirm them for you. Since 10 May 2025, registration is nationwide: where one partner is a mainland resident, you can use any registry authorised for foreign-related matters anywhere in China, not only one in your hukou city, and the Chinese partner needs only a resident ID card and a signed declaration (no hukou booklet).
How divorce works with us in Guangzhou
- 1
Confidential first call
A free 30-minute consultation (at our Guangzhou office or by video) to understand your situation and goals.
- 2
Strategy & written quote
Your options, the evidence needed, a realistic timeline and costs — fixed fees wherever the scope is defined.
- 3
Preparation & filing
We draft the documents, gather evidence and file with the competent court or registry for Guangzhou.
- 4
Negotiation, mediation or trial
We represent you throughout and report in English or Chinese at every step, through to enforcement.
China divorce lawyers who explain every step
Ending a marriage is hard enough without also trying to work out an unfamiliar legal system. If you are looking for a divorce lawyer in China, you probably want three things: a clear picture of your options, an honest view of the risks, and someone who will handle the process calmly while you focus on your family. Choi & Huang has advised on family matters since 1997 from our offices in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, and our bilingual team works with mainland Chinese clients, Hong Kong residents, overseas Chinese and foreign nationals alike.
This page gives an overview of how divorce in China works as of 2026 under the PRC Civil Code (Book V, "Marriage and Family"). Each topic links to a more detailed page if you want to go deeper.
The two routes to divorce in China
Chinese law offers two ways to end a marriage. Which one is open to you depends on whether you and your spouse agree, where you married, and whether you can both attend in person.
1. Divorce by agreement at the marriage registry
A divorce by agreement (协议离婚) is handled by the Civil Affairs Bureau marriage registry rather than a court. Both spouses must appear in person with a signed written divorce agreement covering the children, property and debts.
- A 30-day cooling-off period starts when you file. Either spouse may withdraw during that time.
- After the 30 days end, both spouses must return in person within the following 30 days to collect the divorce certificate. If you do not, the application is treated as withdrawn.
- Registry divorce is generally available only where the marriage was registered in mainland China. Foreign-related registry divorces are handled at designated registries.
Read more on our uncontested divorce page.
2. Litigation divorce in the People's Court
If you cannot agree, or registry divorce is not available (for example, you married abroad or your spouse will not or cannot attend), you file a litigation divorce (诉讼离婚). The court will first try mediation. Under Article 1079 of the Civil Code, a divorce shall be granted if mediation fails and mutual affection has truly broken down. The law gives examples of when this is the case:
- bigamy, or cohabiting with another person
- domestic violence, maltreatment or desertion
- gambling or drug addiction not corrected despite repeated admonition
- separation for two years because of discord
- other circumstances causing a breakdown of the relationship
Courts often refuse a first contested petition where there is no clear statutory ground. If that happens, you generally cannot refile within six months without new circumstances, and if the spouses then live apart for another year, a new petition shall be granted. Our contested divorce litigation page explains the court process in detail.
Divorce in Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for divorce?
No. Many clients meet us at our Guangzhou office, but most of the work can be done by video, phone, email, WeChat or WhatsApp — including for clients living outside China. Court hearings and some registry steps may still require attendance, and we tell you early exactly when that is.
Do I need to come to your Guangzhou office in person?
No. You are welcome in Tianhe, but many clients work with us entirely by video, email, WeChat or WhatsApp. For most court matters a notarised and apostilled power of attorney lets us act on your behalf. Registry divorces are the main exception — both spouses must attend.
My spouse and I married outside China. Can we divorce at a Guangzhou registry?
Generally not. Registry divorce usually requires the marriage to have been registered in mainland China. Couples who married abroad normally need to divorce through the court — even if they agree on everything, the court can confirm their agreement by mediation.
How long does a divorce take in China?
A registry divorce takes at least 30 days because of the cooling-off period, plus the time needed to agree terms. A court divorce under simplified procedure is generally concluded within 3 months and under ordinary procedure within 6 months, which can be extended. Where a party is abroad, cases often take 12 months or more because of service abroad.
Can I get divorced in China if my spouse does not agree?
Yes, by filing a litigation divorce. The court will grant a divorce if mediation fails and mutual affection has truly broken down, for example because of domestic violence, cohabitation with another person or two years' separation. Without a clear ground, courts often refuse a first petition, but a new petition after a further year of separation shall be granted.
How much does a divorce lawyer in China cost?
It depends on the route and complexity. We offer fixed fees for defined work such as drafting a divorce agreement or supporting a registry divorce, and staged fees for litigation. Court filing fees are modest, generally RMB 50 to 300, plus a percentage where disputed property exceeds RMB 200,000.
Do I have to be in China to get divorced?
For a registry divorce both spouses must appear in person. For a court divorce, clients abroad can often proceed through a lawyer with a notarised and apostilled power of attorney, although some courts may still require personal attendance at certain stages, especially to confirm a party's wishes about the divorce.
Related guides
China Divorce Rate 2026: Statistics, Trends and the Cooling-Off Effect
China's official divorce rate was 2.5 per 1,000 people in 2024, with 3.513 million divorces and 6.106 million marriage registrations. Official Ministry of Civil Affairs data from 2020 to 2025, what the 2021 cooling-off period changed, and how to read the numbers.
Read the guideChina Divorce Law: A Complete Guide (2026)
Everything you need to know about divorce law in China as of 2026: the two divorce routes, grounds, whether China has no-fault divorce or alimony, custody, child support, property, foreign-related cases, costs and timelines.
Read the guideUsing a Chinese Divorce Certificate or Judgment Abroad
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 guide