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 for foreigners & international couples 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.
Divorce in China for foreigners and international couples
If you or your spouse is a foreign national, or you married outside mainland China, you are dealing with a foreign-related divorce. The basic rules of Chinese divorce still apply, but questions of jurisdiction, applicable law, service of documents and recognition abroad come on top. Getting these right early can save months. This page explains how divorce in China for foreigners works as of 2026, and how our bilingual team in Shenzhen and Guangzhou handles it.
Can a Chinese court hear my divorce?
Chinese courts generally have jurisdiction where the defendant is domiciled or habitually resident in mainland China. In practice this covers many foreigners who live and work here, as well as Chinese citizens whose spouse lives in China.
There are also special rules for Chinese citizens who live abroad. For example, where a foreign court will not accept a divorce case because of the parties' nationality, a court at the place of marriage or the last domicile in China may hear it.
Where more than one country could hear the case, the choice of forum matters a great deal: it affects which law applies, how property is divided, the speed of the process and whether the result will be recognised elsewhere. Our article on whether to file in China or abroad walks through the trade-offs.
Divorce for Foreigners & International Couples in Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for divorce for foreigners & international couples?
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.
Can a foreigner get divorced in China?
Yes. Chinese courts generally have jurisdiction where the defendant lives in mainland China, and a registry divorce may be possible if the marriage was registered in mainland China and both spouses attend with an agreement. In a court divorce, Chinese law applies to the divorce itself.
We married abroad. Can we divorce at a Chinese marriage registry?
Generally not. Registry divorce is generally available only for marriages registered in mainland China. If you married abroad you will usually need to go to court, but if you agree on terms the court can record your agreement through mediation.
How do I divorce a spouse who lives overseas?
You file in a Chinese court with jurisdiction, and the court serves the papers abroad through the Hague Service Convention or diplomatic channels. If no address can be found, service by publication may be used; for a party with no domicile in China, service is deemed complete 60 days after publication. Expect the case to take 12 months or more.
Do I need to apostille my foreign marriage certificate?
If it comes from a Hague Apostille Convention member state, an apostille is generally enough since 7 November 2023, together with a certified Chinese translation. Documents from non-member states, and from India, still need consular legalisation.
Related guides
Divorcing a Chinese Wife or Husband: A Guide for Foreigners
A practical guide for foreigners divorcing a Chinese wife or husband: where to file, registry vs court, translation, hidden assets, family-owned property, custody, children's passports and your residence permit.
Read the guideWhat Happens to Your China Visa or Residence Permit After Divorce?
If 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 guideShould You Divorce in China or Abroad? Choosing the Right Country to File
For 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 guide