Polish Sejm approved a bill allowing divorces to be processed at civil status offices for childless couples.
New Divorce Procedure at Civil Status Offices
On Friday, March 13, the Polish Sejm passed a government amendment to the Family and Guardianship Code, introducing the possibility of out-of-court divorce through civil status offices. The law was approved by 242 members of parliament, with 187 voting against and 2 abstaining.
Who Can Use the New Procedure
The new procedure will only be available to marriages without common minor children, provided that the wife is not pregnant. Additionally, the marriage must have lasted longer than one year.
Implementation and Costs
The new procedure will be implemented on January 1, 2027, earlier than the originally planned 12 months after the announcement. The fee for submitting a statement and declaration of divorce will be 300 zł per person, totaling 600 zł—equivalent to the fee for divorce petition but double the final cost for divorce without determining fault.
Legislative Process
Earlier, parliamentarians accepted a package of amendments recommended by the Extraordinary Committee for Changes in Codifications, which were clarifying and legislative in nature. One amendment changed the implementation date of the new law.