Recognition of Foreign Divorces in Greece for Greeks Living in the United States
Legal Significance of Divorce Recognition in Greece
For Greek citizens and individuals of Greek descent who reside in the United States, obtaining a divorce through an American court does not automatically produce legal effects within the Greek legal system. In order for the divorce to be legally effective in Greece, it must be formally recognized by the Greek courts. This recognition is critical for updating one’s marital status in Greek registries, enabling a lawful remarriage in Greece, or addressing issues related to inheritance, property rights, and tax matters.
The law firm E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC provides specialized legal services in the recognition of foreign judgments, including divorces, and offers representation throughout Greece and Cyprus. Our clientele includes members of the Greek diaspora across the United States, including in New York, Illinois, California, Florida, and Massachusetts.
Legal Procedure for Recognition of a U.S. Divorce in Greece
Collection of Required Documentation
The applicant must gather and present the following:
•The final divorce judgment issued by the competent U.S. court
•An apostille attached to the judgment in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, confirming its authenticity
•An official translation of the judgment into Greek, conducted by a certified translator or the Greek Consulate
Filing of Judicial Petition in Greece
A petition for the recognition of the foreign judgment must be filed before the competent Court of First Instance in Greece. The legal basis is found in Articles 323 et seq. of the Greek Code of Civil Procedure. The petitioner must demonstrate that:
•The foreign judgment is final and enforceable under the laws of the issuing country (the United States)
•The judgment does not contravene Greek public order (ordre public)
•The parties were given proper notice and the right to a fair trial was respected
No review of the merits of the case is undertaken by the Greek court. The examination is limited to the formal and procedural conditions necessary for recognition.
Registration with the Special Registry (Eidiko Lixiarcheio)
Following judicial recognition, the decision of the Greek court must be submitted to the Special Registry in Athens, so that the divorce is registered in the relevant Greek civil records. This step is necessary in order to update the applicant’s official marital status.
Distinction Between Orthodox and Civil Marriages in Greece
In Greece, both religious (Orthodox) and civil marriages are recognized by law. The distinction becomes important when dealing with divorce. If the marriage was conducted according to the rites of the Greek Orthodox Church, the religious aspect of the marriage must also be resolved by ecclesiastical procedures.
Specifically, in addition to civil court recognition, a religious divorce must be granted by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. This ecclesiastical divorce is required in order to remarry within the Orthodox Church. If the original marriage was a civil one, such a step is not required, and the process is limited to the civil court procedure.
E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC advises clients on whether ecclesiastical involvement is required in their case and undertakes both civil and religious procedures when necessary.
Legal Support by E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC
Our law firm provides comprehensive legal services to Greeks abroad who require recognition of foreign divorces. We ensure lawful and timely execution of all procedural steps, and we represent clients before the Greek courts regardless of their current country of residence.
Our services include:
•Legal consultation and representation for recognition of U.S. divorces in Greece
•Filing and management of judicial petitions
•Handling of apostille procedures and certified translations
•Registration with Greek civil registries
•Guidance on ecclesiastical divorce procedures, if applicable
We serve clients across Greece and Cyprus and offer online consultations to individuals living abroad. Our working language is Greek, ensuring clarity and legal accuracy for all parties involved.
Contact E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC
If you reside in the United States and have obtained a divorce that you wish to recognize in Greece, our firm is ready to assist you with efficiency, discretion, and legal accuracy.
You may schedule a virtual consultation in the Greek language by calling +13474034789 or emailing info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com.
E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC handles legal matters across the entirety of Greece and Cyprus, serving the Greek diaspora with professionalism and cultural understanding.