In India there is no separate “divorce certificate”: the legal proof of divorce is the court’s decree, and you can check a divorce certificate online by looking up the case on the eCourts portal with its CNR or case number and viewing the final order. For official use, you then need a certified copy of the decree from the court that granted it. This guide explains how to check, download and verify a divorce decree, and how to get a certified copy in Bengaluru.
Divorce certificate vs divorce decree
People use “divorce certificate” loosely, but no government office issues one. When a Family Court or District Court dissolves a marriage, it delivers a judgment (the reasons) and draws up a decree (the formal order dissolving the marriage). A certified copy of that decree, issued and stamped by the court’s copying section, is what banks, the passport office, foreign embassies and marriage registrars accept as proof.
| Document | What it is | Accepted as official proof? |
|---|---|---|
| Order or judgment downloaded from eCourts | Uncertified copy uploaded by the court | Useful for checking, usually not accepted for formalities |
| Certified copy of the decree | Copy certified by the court’s copying section | Yes, the standard proof of divorce |
| Lawyer’s letter or affidavit | Statement that you are divorced | No, not on its own |
The decree is only one step in a longer process. If you are still in the middle of a case, our guide on how long divorce takes in India explains when to expect it.
How to check a divorce certificate online on eCourts
Most district and Family Courts in India, including the Bengaluru Family Courts, publish case status and orders on the national eCourts Services platform, which is available as a website and a mobile app.
- Open eCourts Services. Go to the eCourts Services website for district courts, or install the official eCourts Services app.
- Search by CNR. The CNR (Case Number Record) is a unique 16-character code given to every case. It is printed on court papers and is the fastest way to find your case.
- Or search by case details. Without the CNR, choose the state (Karnataka), district (Bengaluru), and the court establishment (the Family Court), then search by case number and year, or by party name.
- Check the case status. A disposed case shows its date of decision and the nature of disposal, for example “allowed” or “decree passed”.
- View the final order. Open the “Orders” or “Judgment” section to view or download the final order as a PDF.
If the final order has not been uploaded, it may simply be delayed. Your lawyer can check with the court office, or you can ask the court staff directly.
How to get a certified copy of the divorce decree
A certified copy is what you will actually use. It is issued by the copying section of the court that passed the decree.
Steps in Bengaluru
- Submit a copy application to the copying section of the Family Court that decided your case, quoting the case number, the parties’ names and the date of the decree.
- Attach the prescribed copying fee and stamps. The amount is small and depends on the number of pages.
- Collect the certified copy when it is ready, or receive it through your advocate. Some courts now accept copy applications online, so ask the copying section or your lawyer whether that option is available for your case.
- Ask for copies of both the judgment and the decree, because some authorities want both.
Only a party to the case, or their advocate, can usually obtain the copy without special permission. A third party needs to show a legitimate interest and may need the court’s leave.
Common problems when checking online
- Case not found. Check that you selected the right court establishment. In Bengaluru there are several Family Courts, and cases are also transferred between them, so search by party name across the Family Court establishment.
- Name spelt differently. Court records use the names as written in the petition. Try alternative spellings, initials, or only the surname.
- Order not uploaded. Older cases and some orders are not digitised. The certified copy route through the copying section still works.
- Status shows “disposed” but not “allowed”. A case can be disposed of by dismissal or withdrawal too. Read the final order itself to confirm that a decree of divorce was granted.
How to verify someone else’s divorce decree
If you are about to marry someone who says they are divorced, it is reasonable and lawful to ask to see the decree. Marrying a person whose earlier marriage still subsists can make your marriage void, and the spouse who remarries can face prosecution for bigamy under Section 82 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 494 IPC).
- Match the details. Check the court name, case number, names of the parties and date of the decree on the copy against the eCourts record.
- Confirm the case is disposed. The eCourts status should show the case as decided, not pending or adjourned.
- Check for an appeal. A decree can be challenged before the High Court. Look up the Karnataka High Court’s case status, or ask the person to confirm in writing that no appeal was filed and the appeal period has passed.
- Look for certification marks. A certified copy carries the copying section’s seal, the certifying official’s signature and the dates of application and issue.
- When in doubt, ask a lawyer. An advocate can inspect the court record or apply for a copy on your behalf where permitted.
Our guide to second marriage after divorce explains the waiting period and the paperwork the marriage registrar will ask for.
Where you will need the divorce decree
| Purpose | What is usually asked for |
|---|---|
| Passport: deleting spouse’s name or reverting surname | Divorce order or decree |
| Registering a second marriage | Certified copy of the decree |
| Changing name in Aadhaar, PAN, bank and employer records | Decree, often with a name-change affidavit or gazette notification |
| Visa and immigration applications | Certified copy, often apostilled for use abroad |
| Insurance, provident fund and nominations | Decree to update marital status and nominees |
Keep several certified copies and scanned versions safe, along with the other papers listed in our guide to documents required for divorce in India.
Using an Indian divorce decree abroad
Foreign authorities usually want a certified copy that has been authenticated for international use. For countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention, this means an apostille issued through the Ministry of External Affairs after the document is attested at the state level. Requirements change from time to time and differ by country, so check with the relevant embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs before you start.
Lost your decree, or divorced in another city?
If you have lost your copy, you can apply again to the same court’s copying section; the court keeps the record. If you were divorced in another district or state, the application goes to that court, not to a Bengaluru court, though a lawyer there can file it for you. If the case was decided many years ago and is not on eCourts, the court’s record room can still trace it from the case number and year.
Remember that the type of decree matters too. A decree under the Hindu Marriage Act, for example, will cite Section 13 or 13B; see our guide to divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act to understand what those sections mean. For the bigger picture of rights and procedures, see our hub on divorce laws in India.
How this guide was prepared
This guide is based on the bare acts published on India Code and on judgments of the Supreme Court of India and the Karnataka High Court. Section numbers, case citations and time limits were fact-checked in October 2026, and criminal-law references use the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in force since 1 July 2024. It is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own case, speak to an advocate. Read our editorial standards and disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a divorce decree?
It depends on the court’s workload and the length of the judgment. Many copies are ready within a few days to a few weeks. If you need it urgently, you can ask whether an urgent copy application is available, usually for a higher fee.
Is the PDF downloaded from eCourts legally valid?
It is a genuine record of the court’s order, and it is useful for checking. Most authorities, however, insist on a certified copy issued by the court, because the downloaded version carries no certification.
Can I get my divorce decree on the day of the final hearing?
The judgment is pronounced in court, but the formal decree is drawn up afterwards. You then apply for a certified copy, so expect a short gap between the hearing and having the document in hand.
Does a mutual consent divorce decree look different?
The format is similar, but it will state that the marriage is dissolved by mutual consent under the relevant section, such as Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, and may record the settlement terms.
Is my divorce registered anywhere like a marriage?
No, India has no central divorce register. The court record is the official record, which is why the certified copy matters.
Can I check a divorce case in another state online?
Yes. eCourts covers district courts across India. Choose the relevant state, district and court establishment, then search by case number or party name.
If you are still waiting for your decree, or need help obtaining or verifying one, our listed good divorce lawyers in Bangalore can guide you. Couples who have agreed to part ways can also speak with mutual divorce lawyers in Bangalore to reach the decree stage faster.