Divorce or separation

1. If you have been a victim of violence, seek medical advice even if you have no visible injuries. 
2. Report the crime to the police. For example, violence, threats, persecution and defamation are crimes. Victim Support Finland provides you with support and advice if you have been, or suspect that you have been, the victim of a crime. 
3. Seek help and support for the handling of the matter. For example, you can get help from NollalinjaOpens in a new window.. Also visit tukikeskus Varjo’s Varjosta.fi website (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. and the services of the member organisations of the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters.
4. If the threat continues, you may apply for a restraining order from the police or the District Court and a non-disclosure order from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

If the behaviour of your former spouse repeatedly feels inappropriate or threatening, seek help. Examples of persecution include:  

• intimidation
• threats
• unwanted recurring contacts
• dissemination of false information
• following
• secretly taking photographs
• phishing personal information.

The restraining order prohibits your former spouse from contacting you. You can apply for a restraining order if you feel that your former spouse threatens

• your life
• your health
• your freedom
• or your peace.

Applying for a restraining order is free of charge. Read more about the restraining order on oikeus.fi.Opens in a new window. You can also ask the Victim Support Finland for help with the application.

Once the non-disclosure for personal safety reasons is in force, your address, place of residence and municipality of residence will not be disclosed from the Population Information System to anyone, except for public authorities. This makes it more difficult for your former spouse to find out your address.

You can apply for a non-disclosure order for personal safety reasons if you have reason to suspect that the health or safety of you or your family is at risk.

Read more about the non-disclosure order on dvv.fi.Opens in a new window.

Check out, for example Hyväksymys.fiOpens in a new window.. Additionally a lot of literature on divorce is available in libraries. 

Divorce groups meet up in many localities. In these groups lead by professionals, you can get support from others who are in the same situation. 

Ask about the groups  

• from your wellbeing services county's health care services
• from your wellbeing services county's social welfare services
• from organisations 
• from parishes.

You can search for peer groups and peer cafés and other events organised by associations using the Apuaeroon.fiOpens in a new window. website. 

Peer support service providers include: 

• Familia AssociationOpens in a new window. for intercultural families 
• The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and SheltersOpens in a new window. for everyone 
• Isät lasten asialla Association (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. for fathers 
• Counselling Centres for Family Matters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for everyone. 
• Miessakit Association's Erosta Elossa (surviving divorce) activitiesOpens in a new window. for men
• Perhesuhdekeskus (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. for LGBTI individuals 
• Yhden Vanhemman Perheiden Liitto (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. for parents. 

The first aid stations for divorces operating  in different localities provide support and advice in divorce and separation situations and arranging the affairs of your children. You can find the contact information of the first aid stations and many other services from the Apuaeroon.fiwebsite.

Information and support for problems in families with children is also available at:

• The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and SheltersOpens in a new window.
• Isät lasten asialla ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Kasper ry (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Counselling Centres for Family Matters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
• Mannerheim League for Child WelfareOpens in a new window.
• The Erosta Elossa activities of the Miessakit Association for menOpens in a new window.
• Sateenkaariperheet.fi - Rainbow Families FinlandOpens in a new window.
• Family Federation of Finland’s Hyvä kysymys websiteOpens in a new window.
• Yhden Vanhemman Perheiden Liitto association for single-parent familiesOpens in a new window..

Moving can affect previously agreed housing and visiting arrangements:

• Notify the other parent of your intention to move in good time, i.e. at least three months before moving. 
• Remember that if you have joint custody, you always decide on the child’s residence together.

Do not notify the other parent of the move if it may cause a risk to your own or your child’s life, health or freedom.

The name change made in the name change service is automatically updated from the Population information system usually within a couple of weeks after the change to

• Kela
• parishes
• the Tax Administration
• Regional State Administrative Agencies
• Finnish Defence Forces
• post
• banks
• retail groups.

Remember to notify your name change to everyone else who should know your new last name, for example,

• your workplace
• your housing company’s property manager or landlord
• the electricity company you are using
• the water supply company you are using
• your telephone operator
• your library
• companies whose customer you are
• communities that you belong to
• your relatives
• your friends.

Remember to also update your email account or create a new account with your new name.

Although banks and retail groups receive your new information automatically, you usually have to separately order bank cards and loyalty cards under your new name. Meanwhile, you do not have to order a new Kela card for yourself as it will be sent to your home address automatically.

If necessary, you must also apply for a new

• driving licence from Traficom
• passport or ID card from the police.