Jordan Divorce Decree Attestation from the USA

Having a U.S. Divorce Recognized in Jordan

When a couple with Jordanian ties divorces in an American court, the divorce ends the marriage under U.S. law, but Jordanian records may still list the couple as married. That becomes a problem when one of them wants to remarry in Jordan, update a family book, settle property or inheritance, or deal with children’s matters there. The process starts with a certified copy of the U.S. decree, legalized by the Embassy of Jordan.

Religious courts and recognition

Because personal status in Jordan is governed by religion, a foreign divorce involving Jordanians is usually brought before the relevant Sharia court or church court, which considers how the U.S. judgment fits with the rules that apply to the marriage. For marriages concluded under Islamic law, the court may examine whether the divorce meets those rules or whether additional steps are needed before it is registered. Once recognized, the change is recorded by the Civil Status and Passports Department. Because the outcome depends on the parties and the court, consult a Jordanian lawyer early.

Children and support

U.S. custody, visitation and child support orders are not automatically enforced in Jordan, and Jordanian courts apply their own rules on custody and guardianship. Parents planning travel or relocation with children should take advice on how a U.S. order would be treated before relying on it. Legalized copies of the orders are still useful evidence in any Jordanian proceeding.

Which copy to send

Jordanian courts normally want the final decree of divorce, signed by the judge and certified by the clerk of the court that granted it, with any settlement or parenting plan incorporated in the judgment. A short divorce verification from a state vital records office records only the fact of divorce and may not be enough. Make sure the decree shows that it is final and not an interim order. Some states require an exemplified copy or a county clerk’s certificate before the Secretary of State will authenticate.

Legalization

The certified decree is authenticated by the Secretary of State of the state where the court sits, with the state’s authentication certificate attached, then by the U.S. Department of State, and finally legalized by the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C., usually within about a week. Jordan does not accept apostilles. A divorce decree is a personal document, ordered under Case 3; we lodge the embassy request online with Jordan’s MFA and provide the extra copy.