Divorce Without Original Marriage Certificate?

[lucy-nsw]

My brother was married overseas and he only have a copy of the marriage certificate and a copy of the translation. Can he get a divorce without original certificate?

 

[CathL]

Hi Lucy
I think the answer is yes, he can get a divorce with the copy of the marriage certificate and the translation (rather than the original certificate). I think the translation requirement will be more work as there's a requirement for the translator to sign an Affidavit. See the Family Law Courts FAQ on Separation and Divorce that says:
I married overseas – can I get a divorce in Australia?
If you were married overseas, you can apply for a divorce in Australia if either you or your spouse:

• regard Australia as your home and intend to live indefinitely in Australia are an Australian citizen or resident, or
• are an Australia citizen by birth or descent
• are an Australia citizen by grant of an Australia citizenship
• ordinarily live in Australia and have done so for 12 months immediately before filing for divorce.

You must provide the Court with a copy of your marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, you need to file:

• an English translation of it, and
• an affidavit from the translator which:
• states his or her qualifications to translate
• attaches a copy of the marriage certificate
• attaches the translated marriage certificate
• states that the translation is an accurate translation of the marriage certificate, and
• states that the attached copy of the marriage certificate is a true copy of the marriage certificate translated.

More information can be found in the Affidavit translation of marriage certificate form under the Forms section of this website.

Hope this helps.