How to divorce Christian Husband/Wife in Egypt?
The matter of divorce in Egypt is one of the most complicated issues for Foreigners. If you are a foreigner (Non-Egyptian) and your Partner (Husband or Wife) is Egyptian then it is more complex to get a divorce legally. Finally, If you are not Muslim then the situation is just terrible. A Muslim man can divorce by Oral (Islamic Sharia Law) declaration, then go to the Nearest Family Court or Ministry of Justice to register the divorce but a Christian person cannot do this. According to Egyptian law, It is much easier for a Muslim man in Egypt to divorce his wife than a Christian man in Egypt to divorce his wife. so, How to divorce Christian partners in Egypt?
In this Blog, I will discuss Christian Divorce laws only. Before starting, please note that Christianity is the second-largest religion in Egypt. The number of Egyptian Christians, nearly all of whom are Coptic Christians (adherents of the Coptic Orthodox Church or other Coptic churches), is uncertain; 10-15% is currently the accepted range and estimation by Egyptian officials, although it may be higher up 25%. So All laws reflect Coptic Christianity rules.
Does Egypt Christianity law allow for divorce?
The matter of divorce is according to the faith and doctrine of each church. In the Catholic Church, there is no separation, but it is possible to annul a marriage. However, in the Orthodox and Evangelical Churches, divorce is possible but under certain terms and conditions.
What does the second marriage permit mean?
A divorced Christian is not permitted to remarry unless the church gives one permission to marry again. Marriage and separation cases are in the hands of the church, which controls the documentation and plays the role of the marriage registrar in the Registration office. Therefore it is not permissible to remarry without the church’s approval.
The legal way How to divorce Christian partners in Egypt?
First The Christian Man or woman has to open a case in the nearest family court. If you are not in Egypt then you have to go nearest Egyptian embassy and issue a power of attorney for a family lawyer. The Lawyer must be registered in the Egyptian Lawyer Syndicate. If you are not Egyptian National then you need also a recommendation letter from your embassy. Inside Egypt, if you are a foreigner, then required a valid resident permit Visa for issuing power of attorney. Remember that A tourist Visa is not a resident permit Visa. I will discuss details about this issue in a separate article.
Only 6 reasons for Divorce
You have only six reasons for divorce and have to prove them in family court. Egyptian judges are very keen and sharp. They consider very small details. If you can not speak good Arabic then you must bring a licensed translator to court. How to divorce Christian partners in Egypt?
The Six Reasons for Divorce
(Applicable only for Christians Husband or Wife )
- Adultery or Extramarital affair or Extramarital Physical Relation.
- Desertion of Partner 36 Months or more.
- If the partner is sick and unable to have physical relations.
- If the partner is in jail with punishment.
- Violence Behavior.
- If the husband or wife is missing in war or disappears while traveling.
Important Notes
- You need a loyal and good lawyer.
- Law option 5 ( Violence Behavior ) is very hard to prove. Most of the time the court does not accept this.
- Proving Adultery or Extramarital affairs needs some clear evidence like video or voice or Hand Writing. But you have to prove a clear physical relation.
- For the Children issue you need to start a separate case.
- Normally it takes 3 to 6 months for a file to finish.
