What Documents are Required for Divorce in India?

Divorce is a lawful procedure to terminate the marital bond through filing a petition in the court. It can cause emotional and mental damage to both individuals. Divorce includes several stepwise procedures for succeeding the separation in a legal formation. This divorce process is a long and complex process, and it needs to be done carefully and responsibly. According to different nations, faiths, or communities, the divorce procedure and law may change.

The commonly required documents for both kinds of divorce in India are given below:

• At the initial stage of the Divorce, the spouse has to file a petition in the court for the divorce. In this petition, they have to submit all appropriate documents that are clearly mentioned below and also have to clear the grounds of the divorce.
• If it is a Contested Divorce the court sends a notice to the spouse (who does not want a divorce) to inform him/her regarding the petition filed by their partner (who wants a divorce).
• Just after filing the petition, the court proceeded with the statement recording of both. All these statements are in written form and provide a thorough explanation/information about the grounds of Divorce.
• When the written statement goes to the court, the judge conducts a hearing for an open argument and listens to both side's claims and grounds for the divorce. This scenario basically occurs in a Contested Divorce.
• After hearing the arguments from both parties and if the court is convinced of the grounds of divorce, they grant a six-month waiting period.
• After the waiting period, if no negotiation between both spouses and they are ready to end the relationship, the court accepts their divorce. This is the final Decree of the court where they legally dissolute the bond of the marriage.

Here is a more comprehensive list of documents that may be required for divorce in India:

• Marriage Certificate
• Address proof of husband and wife
• Details of their profession and remuneration via Salary slips
• Income tax returns of the last 3 years
• Information regarding their family
• Details of assets owned by them
• Photographs of marriage
• Evidence to show spouses lived separately for over a year