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Divorce or separation

To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.

  1. Guide's start page
  2. Steps of separation or divorce
    1. Considering the decision to divorce or separate
    2. When there is a risk of violence in the divorce or separation
    3. Filing for divorce
      1. How do you file for divorce?
      2. Apply for divorce
    4. Practical matters to be handled in the divorce or separation
    5. Agreement on arrangements relating to the divorce or separation
    6. Dealing with the emotions arising from the divorce or separation
    7. After the divorce or separation
  3. Checklist

Filing for divorce

How do you file for divorce?

  • You can apply for a divorce alone or together.  
  • Filing for a divorce or granting a divorce does not require the consent of both parties. In other words, one spouse cannot prevent the other spouse from filing for a divorce.
  • You can file for divorce online or you can fill in a form.
  • If you have not been living separately for at least two years, you must apply for divorce on the basis of a six-month reconsideration period. 
  • You can apply for the dissolution of a registered partnership in the same way as when filing for divorce. 
Updated: 12/12/2025

Apply for divorce

Once you have decided to divorce, you can file for divorce in an e-service, or fill in a form. You can apply for a divorce alone, or together. 

Submit a divorce application

Alternative 1: File for divorce in e-service 

If you file for the divorce alone, file the divorce application in the OmaTuomioistuin e-serviceOpens in a new window.. 

If the divorce is filed together, one of the spouses must first file an application in the OmaTuomioistuin e-service and the other spouse will visit the e-service to state that they agree with the application. 

Alternative 2: Fill out and submit a divorce application 

Fill out a divorce application (in Finnish) and submit the divorce application form to the District Court of your place of residence using Suomi.fi Messages.

If you file for divorce together, send the same application from both of your Suomi.fi Messages accounts to the District Court of the place of residence of either one of you. Both of you should send the application on the same day.

You can also send the application to the District Court by mail.

Get to know the services

Information on the services is not available in your chosen language. Change the language of the site to receive information on services in other languages.

The District Court announces the start of the reconsideration period

The six-month reconsideration period starts on the date when your spouse is served with the divorce petition by the district court and has acknowledged its receipt.

If you file for divorce together, the six-month reconsideration period begins when the District Court receives the application you submitted together.

You can can check the deadlines related to the reconsideration period in OmaTuomioistuin e-serviceOpens in a new window., even if you had sent the divorce application by mail.   

Agree on the distribution of property and children's matters

You can complete the distribution of property, meaning agreeing on the division of your property, already during the reconsideration period.

You can also agree on the guardianship, maintenance, housing and meeting of your children.

Petition for final divorce

Once the six-month reconsideration period expires, you will both have the following six months to file a petition for final divorce.

You can file the petition together or either of you can file it independently.

You can file the divorce application in the second stage in the OmaTuomioistuin e-serviceOpens in a new window. once the reconsideration period has passed. 

Alternatively, fill out the divorce application again and indicate that it is a second stage application. Submit the application via the Suomi.fi Messages to the District Court which ruled the six-month consideration period. 

The marriage remains in force if neither party files the petition for final divorce by the deadline.

The District Court grants a divorce

If you filed the petition for final divorce alone, the District Court will notify your spouse of the second stage application.

After this, the District Court will grant the divorce and send a decision on it to both parties.

Updated: 16/12/2025

Find out the contact details of the district court in your place of residence

Information on all services is not available in your chosen language. Change the language of the site to receive information on services in other languages.

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