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 uncontested divorce & divorce agreements 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.
Uncontested divorce in China: the agreed route
If you and your spouse both want to end the marriage and can agree on the children, property and debts, an uncontested divorce in China is usually quicker, cheaper and less painful than going to court. But "agreed" does not mean "simple". The divorce agreement you sign will govern where your children live, who keeps the home and who pays which debts, often for years. This page explains how agreed divorce works as of 2026 and how we help couples get it right.
Divorce by agreement at the marriage registry
A divorce by agreement (协议离婚) is registered at the Civil Affairs Bureau marriage registry. The basic requirements are:
- the marriage was registered in mainland China (the registry route is generally not available for marriages registered abroad);
- both spouses have full civil capacity and genuinely want to divorce;
- both attend in person; and
- you submit a signed written divorce agreement covering children, property and debts.
Foreign-related registry divorces, where one spouse is a foreign national or a Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan resident, are handled at designated registries. Check the local registry's current requirements before you go.
Uncontested Divorce & Divorce Agreements in Guangzhou: FAQs
Do I need to meet a lawyer in person in Guangzhou for uncontested divorce & divorce agreements?
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 an uncontested divorce take in China?
At the registry, at least 30 days for the cooling-off period, after which both spouses must return within 30 days to collect the certificate. Agreeing the terms can add time. An agreed divorce through court mediation has no cooling-off period, but depends on the court's schedule.
Can we skip the 30-day cooling-off period?
Not for a registry divorce. The cooling-off period applies to every registry divorce application. It does not apply to divorces granted or mediated by a court, so court mediation may be an option where timing is critical.
Can a foreigner get an agreed divorce at a Chinese registry?
Generally yes, if the marriage was registered in mainland China and both spouses attend in person at a designated registry with a written agreement. If you married abroad, you will usually need to use court mediation instead.
Is a divorce agreement binding after the divorce?
Yes. The property and debt terms of a registered divorce agreement bind both spouses, and disputes about performance can be taken to court. Child-related terms can later be revisited if circumstances change, always by reference to the child's interests.
Related guides
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in China? Court Fees, Lawyer Fees and Hidden Costs
The court fee for a divorce in China is modest, but lawyer fees, appraisals, translations and service abroad can add up. Here is what drives the real cost and how fees are structured.
Read the guideChina 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 guide