In Sweden, the application for divorce is handled by the district court, known as “tingsrätten.” The court where you file your application depends on the place of residence of you or your spouse. Typically, the application is submitted to the district court in the area where one of you has your domicile.
The process begins with the submission of a written application, either by one spouse or both spouses jointly. If both spouses agree on the divorce, they can file a joint application. If only one spouse wishes to initiate the divorce, the spouse can file a unilateral application. Both procedures are relatively straightforward.
The court also has the authority to impose a mandatory consideration period (betänketid) if certain conditions are met, such as when one spouse does not agree to the divorce or if there are children under the age of 16 who are living with any of the spouses. After the consideration period, on the condition that one of the, or both, spouses submit a request to the court to finalize the divorce, the court will issue a divorce decree (domen).
The divorce decree can be appealed to the court of appeal. If no appeal is made within three weeks from the day when the district court rendered the divorce decree the divorce is final and binding.
