If you are a SOFA Status Personnel on Okinawa seeking to divorce your SOFA Status spouse, there are no restrictions against divorcing immediately. The requirements for divorce are the same as for any US Passport Holder or Citizen residing on Okinawa. The necessary conditions are as follows:
- Both SOFA Status members must be in mutual agreement to divorce.
- Both SOFA Status members must be physically present at the hearing date at the Okinawa Family Court.
- Both SOFA Status members must be US citizens holding a US Passport. The Okinawa Family Court does not divorce non-US citizens such as those from Thailand, the Philippines, or Brazil.
In some cases, we have assisted couples where one party (the Petitioner) is physically present on Okinawa to initiate the divorce, and the other party (the Respondent) flies in for the hearing date, which only lasts 30 minutes to complete the divorce.
Our office handles the issuance and translation of the divorce decree, and we can mail you the decree once it is issued by the Okinawa Family Court. If you are a SOFA Status Personnel seeking a divorce on Okinawa, rest assured that you can proceed immediately without any restrictions.
All divorces completed at the Okinawa Family Court are legally binding, court-ordered documents that follow US State Law and are recognized under the Hague Convention.
For any questions regarding the procedure or how to get started, contact us at www.davehigginsoffice.com.