Can you divorce without travelling to France?
Answer four questions to find out whether our remote divorce service is open to you.
Can you divorce amicably without travelling to France?
Are you both French nationals?
Do you agree on the divorce and on all its consequences (children, assets, child support, compensatory allowance)?
Does either of these situations apply to you?
Where do you live today?
If you live in two different countries, choose the one where signing would be easiest.
You can divorce from Dubai, without travelling to France
Two French nationals who agree on everything can divorce amicably under French law, without a judge. Everything is prepared remotely (video call, phone, email), then the agreement is signed in Dubai. We then deposit it with a notary in France and have the divorce recorded in your French civil status records.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
You can divorce from Morocco, without travelling to France
Two French nationals who agree on everything can divorce amicably under French law, without a judge. Everything is prepared remotely (video call, phone, email), then the agreement is signed in Morocco. We then deposit it with a notary in France and have the divorce recorded in your French civil status records.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Your amicable divorce is still possible remotely
All the preparation is done remotely, wherever you live. For the signing, the law requires both spouses and their lawyers to be together in the same place: it can take place in Dubai or Morocco, or in Paris during a trip to France. We arrange the simplest option with you.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
With a foreign spouse, different rules apply
Our remote divorce service is reserved for couples in which both spouses are French. Where one of you has another nationality, the competent court, the applicable law and recognition of the divorce in that spouse's country must be checked first: we explain these rules on a dedicated page.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
You're almost there
A divorce without a judge requires agreement on every consequence. One or two open points are often settled through negotiation with the lawyers' help: that is what our Support Package is for. Let's discuss it on a first video call.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
An amicable divorce is not possible for now
With several disagreements, the out-of-court route stays closed until a full agreement is reached. A lawyer can help you get there, or guide you to the right procedure.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
A divorce without a judge is not available in this case
French law closes the out-of-court route when a minor child asks to be heard, or when a spouse is under a legal protective measure (Article 229-2 of the Code civil). Let's review together the solution that fits your situation.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Why use a French divorce lawyer for expats?
Divorcing from abroad is no harder than divorcing in Paris, provided everything is organised upfront. That is our job:
Securing French law
We draft an agreement that expressly designates French law for your divorce and settles every consequence: children, assets, child support, compensatory allowance. For children living abroad, we also check whether local law applies.
Signing where you live
No trip to Paris: the signing takes place in Dubai or Morocco, on a date set with you.
Handling the French formalities
We send the agreement to the notary, then have the divorce recorded in your French civil status records. Nothing for you to do in France.
Divorce by mutual consent in France, from abroad
Living abroad does not rule out an amicable divorce by mutual consent. Two French spouses can choose French law for their divorce, whatever their country of residence. The procedure is set out in Article 229-1 of the French Civil Code: an agreement drafted by each spouse's lawyer, signed by all, then deposited with a notary.
There are only two conditions: agreeing on the principle of divorce and on all its consequences. The law closes this route in two specific cases only, a minor child asking to be heard by a judge, or a spouse under a legal protective measure. Living abroad is not one of them.
How the remote amicable divorce works
01
First video consultation
We review your situation, check that the amicable route is open to you and tell you which package applies. We then keep in touch by video call, phone and email.
02
Drafting the agreement
The two spouses' lawyers negotiate and draft the divorce agreement. You send your documents electronically.
03
15-day reflection period
Each spouse receives the draft by registered letter, electronic when living abroad, and must wait fifteen days before signing.
04
Signing in Dubai or Morocco
Both spouses and their lawyers meet to sign the agreement, without travelling to France.
05
Notary and civil records, from Paris
We send the agreement to a notary, who deposits it in their official register: the divorce is final. It is then recorded in your French civil status records.
Signing the divorce agreement without travelling to France
The agreement must be signed by both spouses and both lawyers, gathered together (Article 1145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure). This also applies to electronic signatures. French law does not, however, require the signing to take place in France.
Signing remotely, each on your own side, is not possible: that is why the signing can be arranged in Dubai or Morocco.
Be wary of offers promising a “100% online” divorce with signing by video call or power of attorney: an agreement not signed by everyone, together, can be annulled, and the divorce with it.
| Signing in Paris | Signing in Dubai or Morocco | Signing separately, remotely | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip to France | Yes, for both spouses | No | No |
| Preparation | Remote | Remote | Remote |
| Spouses and lawyers together | Yes | Yes | No |
| Secure divorce | Yes | Yes | No, risk of annulment |
Married in France, living abroad
Where you married does not change the procedure, only the last formality.
- You married in France: the town hall that married you records the divorce in the margin of your marriage certificate, then on your birth certificates.
- You married abroad: if you married at a French consulate, your certificate is already in the French registers. If you married before a foreign authority, the divorce is recorded on the transcription of your marriage in the French civil registers held by the central civil status office in Nantes; for a marriage celebrated since 1 March 2007, this transcription is essential. If it was never made, we tell you how to request it.
French law and validity of the divorce
The agreement expressly designates French law: as both spouses are French, this choice is open to them even when they live outside France. Once deposited with a notary, the divorce is final in France, exactly like a divorce signed in Paris; recording it in your civil status records then makes it effective against third parties as regards your property.
How it is taken into account by the authorities of your country of residence depends on that country's law: we explain this at the first consultation, based on what you own there. If you later move to another EU country (except Denmark), a European certificate allows the divorce to be recognised without further proceedings.
Why us
Your first consultation credited back
if you instruct the firm
At your consultation, a lawyer of DAF Darmon Avocats Famille reviews your case on the merits and on the terms of engagement.
Our fixed fees for French expats
The price is set upfront, based on three criteria: children, jointly owned real estate, and any income or wealth disparity. It includes remote follow-up and arranging the signing. To compare with a divorce signed in France, see our fees page.
Signature
Package
€3,070 + VAT
Your situation
- Ø No children
- Ø No income disparity
- Ø No real estate
- Separate-property matrimonial regime
- Ready-made agreement: "We agree on everything, we're ready to divorce."
Support
Package
€3,470 + VAT
Your situation
- Ø No children
- Ø No income disparity
- You need support negotiating your amicable divorce
Family
Package
€4,470 + VAT
Your situation
- Dependent child(ren)
- Ø No income disparity
Compensatory Allowance
Package
€6,270 + VAT
Your situation
- Income or wealth disparity between the spouses
Fee per spouse, excluding VAT: each spouse is assisted by their own lawyer (Article 229-1 of the Code civil)- Remote follow-up (video call, phone, email) and signing in Dubai or Morocco
- Excludes the notary's deposit fee (about €50 including tax, i.e. €41.20 excluding tax, payable once for the couple)
- First consultation refunded if you instruct us
- An additional success fee may apply depending on complexity
- Division of matrimonial assets quoted separately
Living in Dubai or Morocco?
The signing of your agreement can be arranged in Dubai or Morocco. If you live in the United Arab Emirates, read our page on amicable divorce for French couples in Dubai. If you live in Morocco, the same service applies, with signing in Morocco. Living elsewhere? Preparation is identical, and the signing can be arranged in Dubai, Morocco or Paris during a trip to France.
One of you is not French?
Our remote divorce service is reserved for couples in which both spouses are French. Where one of you has another nationality, other rules apply: competent court, applicable law, recognition of the divorce in that spouse's country. We explain them on our page on divorce in France for foreigners.
French divorce lawyer for expats: FAQ
Yes. Two French spouses who agree on the divorce and all its consequences can divorce amicably under French law, without a judge, wherever they live. The lawyers prepare the agreement remotely, the spouses and their lawyers sign it together, and it is then deposited with a notary in France. The divorce is then final in France and is recorded in your civil status records.
No. French law requires the spouses and their lawyers to be together when the agreement is signed, but it does not require the signing to take place in France. DAF Darmon Avocats Famille arranges the signing in Dubai or Morocco, so you do not have to travel to Paris.
The preparation, yes; the signing, no. Article 1145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure requires the agreement to be signed by the spouses and their lawyers gathered together, including when it is signed electronically. Signing separately by video call or by power of attorney would weaken the divorce. That is why we prepare everything remotely and hold the signing with everyone present.
Yes. The place of marriage does not change the procedure. If you married in France or at a French consulate, the divorce is recorded in the margin of your marriage certificate. If you married before a foreign authority, it is recorded on the transcription of your marriage in the French civil registers (central civil status office in Nantes): for a marriage celebrated since 1 March 2007, this transcription is essential. If it was never made, it can be requested.
Yes. It is a French-law divorce: the agreement expressly designates French law, it is deposited with a notary in France, and the divorce takes effect on that date. It is fully valid in France, exactly like a divorce signed in Paris. How the authorities of your country of residence take it into account depends on local law: we explain this at the first consultation.
Generally two to three months. The main period required by law is the 15-day reflection period after receiving the draft agreement. After signing, the agreement is sent to the notary within seven days, and the notary deposits it within fifteen days. The rest mainly depends on how quickly documents are gathered and a common signing date is set.
"He has great human qualities, but above all he is a very intelligent, highly knowledgeable advisor."
"Throughout my divorce (1 year) he was available around the clock, evenings, weekends, even during holidays."
"You were there to smooth things over just as much as when we needed to be defended."
"Excellent support despite the distance (Australia/Paris) and the language barrier."
"Maître Darmon is caring and attentive throughout the whole procedure."
"He has great human qualities, but above all he is a very intelligent, highly knowledgeable advisor."
"Throughout my divorce (1 year) he was available around the clock, evenings, weekends, even during holidays."
"You were there to smooth things over just as much as when we needed to be defended."
"Excellent support despite the distance (Australia/Paris) and the language barrier."
"Maître Darmon is caring and attentive throughout the whole procedure."
