Divorce Certs in Singapore: How to Get a Copy and Other FAQs

Last updated on September 21, 2018

couple rips marriage of certificate, obtains certificate of divorce.

What is a Divorce Certificate and When Will It be Granted?

A Divorce Certificate is officially known as a certificate issued by the Registrar certifying that the interim judgment for a divorce has been made final. It is also known as the following:

  • “Certificate of Final Judgment”
  • “Certificate of Making Interim Judgment Final”
  • “Certificate of Making Decree Nisi Absolute”

An interim judgment, granted at the end of the first stage of divorce, proves that a marriage has irretrievably broken down.

A final judgment, granted at the end of the second stage of divorce, proves that a marriage has been dissolved.

This is after, all ancillary matters such as child custody, maintenance and division of matrimonial assets have been determined.

A divorce certificate will only be granted upon the final judgment.

What is the Significance of a Divorce Certificate?

A divorce certificate marks the official end of a marriage between 2 individuals. Parties may remarry after getting their divorce certificate.

There may be other situations besides remarriage where a divorce certificate would be required such as dealing with HDB flats upon divorce.

In such a case, be it for the purpose of retaining your flat, purchasing a new flat or selling your flat, HDB may require you to produce your divorce certificate as proof of your divorce.

An application for a divorce certificate is to be made by filing Form 33 of the Family Justice Rules 2014.

A sample of the divorce certificate is reproduced below.

IN THE FAMILY JUSTICE COURTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Divorce Writ No. XX

Between

[Plaintiff’s Name] (ID No. SXXXXXXXA)       Plaintiff

And

[Defendant’s Name] (ID No. SXXXXXXXB)        Defendant

CERTIFICATE OF FINAL JUDGMENT (DIVORCE)

As no sufficient cause has been shown to the court within [to state number of months] months from the Interim Judgment granted on [to state date of Interim Judgment], why the said Interim Judgment should not be made final, it is certified that:

Divorce

  1. The marriage solemnized on [to state date of marriage] at [to state place of solemnization of marriage] between [to state the Plaintiff’s name and ID Number], and [to state the Defendant’s name and ID Number] is dissolved.
  2. The Interim Judgment granted on [to state date of Interim Judgment] is made final on this date.

Signed: [signature of Registrar]

Registrar: [name of Registrar]

Date: [date of order]

The plaintiff refers to the spouse who applied for divorce proceedings. Correspondingly, the defendant would be the other spouse who is responding to the divorce proceedings.

Who can Apply for a Divorce Certificate?

Generally, the party whom the interim judgment was granted in favour, which is usually the Plaintiff, may apply for a divorce certificate.

When Can the Application be Made?

An application for a divorce certificate should be made 3 months after the interim judgment has been granted or after all ancillary matters have been concluded by the court, whichever is later.

This is unless, permission from the court is obtained to make an earlier application.

What Is the Deadline for a Divorce Application?

The application must be made within:

  • 1 year from the date of the interim judgment; or
  • 3 months from the date of the last hearing of an application for ancillary relief or counterclaim or any appeal.

What Happens If I Missed the Application Deadline?

If application is not made within the prescribed deadline, the party whom the interim judgment was granted in favour must apply to the court to ask for permission to make the interim judgment final.

Alternatively, the other party may also apply to make the interim judgment final.

If the other party wishes to apply before the deadline has expired, he or she needs to obtain permission from the court.

What is the Application Fee for a Divorce Certificate?

As of 16 October 2018, the fee required to file an application for a divorce certificate is $14.

How to Obtain a Copy of the Divorce Certificate

A certified true copy of a divorce certificate can be obtained through the submission of a request to the court.

A certified true copy will only be available after the application for divorce certificate has been approved by the court.

Information required to obtain a certified true copy

You are required to provide:

  • Your NRIC or passport;
  • Your divorce case number;
  • The name of the document required (i.e. the Certificate to make Interim Judgment Final);
  • The filing date of your application for the divorce certificate.

The intended use of the certified true copies should also be clearly stated in your Request, including how these certified true copies are relevant to and necessary for such intended use.

Filing of request for a certified true copy

Submission of a request for a certified true copy of the divorce certificate should be made via the Electronic Filing System (eLitigation) website, unless the application of the divorce certificate has not been filed through eLitigation.

If so, submission of request may be made in person at CrimsonLogic Service Bureau.

If you wish to file your request personally, you may do so at:

Address: CrimsonLogic Service Bureau
133 New Bridge Road
Chinatown Point #19-01/02
Singapore 059413
Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
(Sat) 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
(Sun & Public Holidays) Closed

Fee for filing request for a certified true copy

As of 16 October 2018, applicants can expect a fee of at least $8 for the first page and $5 for every page thereafter.

Collection of certified true copies

Once you have received the court’s approval for the request, you should print the copy of the request and present it to the Records Section at the Family Registry, Level 3 of the Family Justice Courts, where the staff will verify the request and inform you of any additional fees payable.

After payment of these fees at the Family Justice Courts’ Cashier’s Office, your request will be stamped.

Once you have presented the stamped request to the Family Registry, you will receive the certified true copy of your divorce certificate.

What If I Have Lost My Divorce Certificate?

If you have lost your divorce certificate, you may similarly request for a replacement copy through the above method for obtaining a certified true copy of your divorce certificate.

However, if you have forgotten your case number and require the court to provide you with such information, a $10 search fee will be payable as of 16 October 2018.

If you face difficulty in obtaining a divorce certificate, you may consider hiring a lawyer to help you with the process.

Before getting a divorce
  1. Drafting a Deed of Separation in Singapore (Instead of Divorcing)
  2. Alternatives to Divorce in Singapore: A Practical Guide
  3. Process for Getting Divorced in Singapore (With Diagram)
  4. What are the Legal Grounds for Getting a Divorce?
  5. 3 Finance Questions To Ask Before a Divorce
  6. Practical Preparations for a Divorce
  7. How to Divorce Within 3 Years of Marriage in Singapore
  8. Getting Divorced: Documents and Evidence to Prepare
  9. Getting a Divorce Due to “Irreconcilable Differences” in Singapore
  10. Online Divorce in Singapore: How It Works and Should You Get One?
  11. How Can I Divorce Overseas After Marrying in Singapore?
Divorce Fees
  1. Comprehensive Guide to Divorce Fees in Singapore
Getting a Divorce Lawyer
  1. 7 Experienced Female Divorce Lawyers in Singapore (2023)
  2. Can a Divorcing Couple Use the Same Lawyer? Pros and Cons
  3. 7 Best Divorce and Family Lawyers in Singapore (2023)
  4. The Complete Guide to Choosing a Good Divorce Lawyer in Singapore
  5. Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest Divorce Lawyer in Singapore
  6. Find Highly Rated Divorce Lawyers in Singapore
  7. Child Custody Lawyers in Singapore: Do I Need One?
Proving Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage
  1. How to Prove Adultery for Divorce Purposes in Singapore
  2. Getting a Divorce: How to Prove Desertion
  3. Getting a Divorce by Mutual Agreement in Singapore
  4. How to Prove Unreasonable Behaviour in a Singapore Divorce
  5. How to Prove Separation for a Singapore Divorce
Application for Divorce Part I: Dissolution of Marriage
  1. Your Spouse Doesn't Want to Divorce: What to Do
  2. Procedure for Dissolution of Marriage
  3. Simplified Uncontested Divorce vs Contested Divorce in Singapore
  4. Mandatory Parenting Programme Guide for Divorcing Parents
  5. Divorce Mediation in Singapore
  6. Divorce Application: What to Do If Your Spouse Cannot be Found
Application for Divorce Part 2: Ancillary Matters (Maintenance, Assets, Custody)
  1. Contempt of Court in Divorce: When You Can be Punished
  2. Guide to Co-Parenting for Divorcing Parents in Singapore
  3. Procedure for Ancillary Matters
  4. Maintenance of Spouse in a Singapore Divorce
  5. Filling in a Matrimonial Property Plan for a Singapore Divorce
  6. Dividing Matrimonial Assets in a Singapore Divorce
  7. What Happens to Your HDB Flat after Divorce?
  8. What Happens to Gifts Between Spouses During a Divorce?
  9. What Happens to Property and Assets Located Overseas Upon a Divorce in Singapore?
  10. Child Custody, Care and Control & Access: Singapore Guide
  11. Getting Divorced: Child Maintenance in Singapore
  12. Singapore Divorcee's Guide to Relocating Your Child Overseas
Post-Divorce
  1. How to Vary a Child Custody Order in Singapore
  2. How to Appeal Your Divorce Case in Singapore
  3. Divorce Certs in Singapore: How to Get a Copy and Other FAQs
  4. Transfer of Matrimonial Home to Ex-Spouse After Divorce
  5. Can Divorcees Buy or Rent HDB Flats, and How?
  6. What to Do If Your Ex-Spouse Does Not Provide Maintenance
  7. How to Vary a Maintenance Order After a Singapore Divorce
  8. What to Do If Your Ex-Spouse Denies You Access to Your Child
  9. Division of CPF Assets (Monies, House, Investments) After a Divorce
Expatriate Divorce
  1. Divorce for British Expats: Spousal Maintenance Under the Law of England and Wales
  2. Settling Ancillary Matters in Singapore After Foreign Divorce
  3. Typical issues in Singapore/England Divorces
  4. Immigration Issues for Divorcing Expatriates
  5. Can Foreigners Divorce in Singapore?
  6. Expat or Foreigner Divorce in Singapore: 10 Legal Issues to Consider
  7. Hague Convention: Overseas Child Abduction in Singapore Divorce
  8. Case Study: Cross-Border Child Custody and the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction
  9. Can British Expats in Singapore Choose to Divorce in England?
  10. Divorce for British Expats: Approach to Matrimonial and Non-Matrimonial Assets in England vs Singapore
  11. Divorce for British Expats: How the English Courts Deal with Financial Matters
Muslim or Syariah Divorce
  1. Fasakh in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore: Grounds & Process
  2. Divorce by Cerai Taklik: Guide for Muslim Wives in Singapore
  3. Muslim Divorce in Singapore
  4. Talak in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore (and Its Effects)
  5. Guide to Divorcing by Khuluk for Muslim Wives in Singapore
  6. Applying for Nafkah Idaah and Mutaah in a Muslim Divorce in Singapore
Other divorce matters
  1. Guide to Personal Protection Orders in Singapore
  2. Case Study - Love conquers All: The Divorce That Didn’t Happen
Annulment
  1. Annulling a Singapore Marriage: Requirements and Process
  2. What Happens to Your HDB Flat After an Annulment?
Separation
  1. Separation in Singapore Via Deed of Separation and More
  2. Judicial or Legal Separation in Singapore: When and How to File
Prenuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements
  1. Prenuptial Agreements in Singapore
  2. Should You Make a Post-Nuptial Agreement in Singapore?