At Dave Higgins Office, we provide services for mutual agreement divorces in Okinawa. This blog will explain two cases: one for two U.S. citizens, U.S. military members, or SOFA status members, and another for a U.S. citizen divorcing a Japanese spouse.
Case 1: Two U.S. Citizens, U.S. Military Members, or SOFA Status Members
For mutual agreement divorces at the Okinawa Family Court, the fastest turnaround time we have experienced is exactly one month. The longest has been three months, primarily due to delays during the pandemic years.
On average, the process takes about 1.5 months. However, the exact turnaround time can vary since hearing dates are determined by public office clerks and judges who schedule divorces alongside other public cases. As a public office, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fairness for all submissions.
Case 2: U.S. Citizen Divorcing a Japanese Spouse
This process is completed at the same city office where you reported your marriage. It requires a simple application, signature, and submission to the city office. The entire process can be completed within one hour, and an official decree can be issued on the spot.
For this submission, the Japanese spouse must be present, while the U.S. citizen’s presence is optional. Only the U.S. citizen’s signature on the divorce application is mandatory.
Conclusion
Getting a divorce in Okinawa is straightforward and efficiently processed. If you are two U.S. citizens, U.S. military members, or SOFA status members looking to divorce in Okinawa, contact our office. We will provide you with the necessary documentation to get started.
For more information, visit our website: www.davehigginsoffice.com.