Clear Singapore legal answers
Clear answers on divorce in Singapore, including legal grounds, eligibility, separation, filing procedures, required documents, costs, timelines and court orders.
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Singapore has one legal ground for divorce: irretrievable marriage breakdown. It must be shown through one of six recognised facts, including adultery, unreasonable behaviour, separation or mutual agreement.
Read the answerUnreasonable behaviour is conduct that makes it unreasonable to expect you to continue living with your spouse, such as abuse, neglect, financial recklessness or persistent emotional withdrawal.
Read the answerUnhappiness alone is not a legal ground for divorce. It may, however, point to unreasonable behaviour, separation or mutual agreement as the relevant legal fact.
Read the answerSeparation ends cohabitation but not the marriage. Only a divorce order legally dissolves the marriage, even where the couple has signed a Deed of Separation.
Read the answerYes. Informal separation can support a divorce after three years with consent or four years without consent, provided you can prove that you genuinely lived apart.
Read the answerA disputed divorce becomes contested. You must prove the chosen legal fact through evidence, affidavits and potentially a trial, which can substantially increase the time and cost.
Read the answerCommunication breakdown is not a ground by itself. However, prolonged or deliberately withdrawn communication may support mutual agreement or an unreasonable-behaviour case.
Read the answerYou generally must be married for at least three years before filing. Unhappiness does not shorten this requirement unless exceptional hardship or depravity can be proven.
Read the answerDivorce begins by filing an Originating Application and selecting the relevant legal fact. Parents with children under 21 must first complete the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme.
Read the answerYou generally need your marriage certificate, NRIC, divorce application documents and proposed ancillary reliefs. Parents with children under 21 also need their co-parenting programme certificate.
Read the answerAn uncontested divorce may take about five to six months. Contested cases involving disputed facts, assets or children can take a year or longer.
Read the answerAn uncontested divorce may cost a few thousand dollars with legal representation. Contested cases involving assets or child arrangements can cost considerably more.
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