Divorce in Egypt for US citizens
For US citizens married to an Egyptian. US states recognise a foreign divorce on the basis of comity rather than a treaty, and Egypt is not a Hague partner on child abduction, so custody and travel need planning before anything is signed.
What United States requires
The US has no treaty with any country on enforcing judgments, so each state recognises a foreign divorce on the basis of comity. This generally requires that both spouses had notice and that one of you was domiciled in Egypt. For NVC, a revocable divorce may not show that the marriage has finally ended. In the other direction, a US divorce has to be recognised or registered by the competent Egyptian authority or court before it takes effect in Egypt.
Embassy in Cairo
US Embassy Cairo, American Citizen Services
The embassy notarises the Marriage Affidavit, also called a No Objection to Marriage letter, by appointment only and not by remote online notarisation. The fee is $50, in cash or by card. It is Egyptian authorities who require the document, and the embassy asks you not to make travel plans or commit money until your notary appointment is booked.
Official websiteProblems we see often
- Egypt is not a Hague partner of the US. A Memorandum of Understanding on parental access was signed in 2003, but there is no treaty route to bring a child back.
- Taking a child out of Egypt is not a crime there unless it breaks an Egyptian court order, and either parent can obtain a travel ban.
- Egypt treats dual nationals as Egyptian, so a US passport does not change how Egyptian law sees your child.
- The mother has custody until the child is 15, when the child chooses. The father remains the guardian for documents and travel.
Questions couples ask
Will my state recognise an Egyptian divorce?
Generally yes, on the basis of comity, if both of you had notice and one of you was domiciled in Egypt. Make sure the divorce is final, not revocable, before you rely on it.
Is our US divorce valid in Egypt?
Only once the competent Egyptian authority or court has recognised or registered it. Until then you may still be married under Egyptian law.
What if my child is kept in Egypt?
There is no Hague return process, and keeping a child in Egypt is not a crime unless it breaks an Egyptian court order. The 2003 US–Egypt memorandum covers access only, so talk to us early about an order from an Egyptian court.
Official sources
- US Embassy Cairo: Marriage in Egypt
- US Embassy Cairo: Notarial services
- US State Department: Egypt reciprocity and civil documents
- US State Department: Egypt and international parental child abduction
- US State Department (archived): recognition of foreign divorces
Facts checked by Counsellor Mohamed Ali Oraby on October 28, 2026.
Divorce in Egypt when one spouse is a foreigner
Ending a marriage between two countries raises questions one country’s rules don’t answer alone: which procedure applies, whether you can act from abroad, and what happens to residency and documents afterwards. We start with a confidential session, find the right route and the competent authority, and follow the procedure until the final document is issued.
What this involves: DivorceThe consultation
One session. Your whole route.
Sit down with the counsellor, online or in person. You leave with your exact papers, your route, and a fixed price for the work.
- Your document list, checked against both nationalities
- The authority and route your case takes
- A fixed price for handling the full file
- A written summary afterwards
- Consultation
Credited in full to your case fee if you hire us.
Online by video, or at our Cairo or Alexandria office.