How to obtain a certified translation of a german divorce decree

Yes. You can divorce in the United States even if you were married in Germany. However, you can't file for divorce until you fulfill your current state's residency requirement, i.e. you have to live in that state for a certain period of time (according to your state's divorce laws).​

If you are trying to enforce an American divorce decree in Germany, you should contact an experienced lawyer in Germany. You can contact the German consulate to obtain a list of attorneys.

You will need to obtain an official copy of the German divorce decree from the court in Germany. You may also need to present your marriage certificate. Make sure to obtain a certified English translation of the German divorce decree so the U.S. court can read it.​

Generally speaking, divorce decrees issued in Germany are recognized in the United States on the basis of legal reciprocity provided both parties had proper notice of the divorce proceeding and an opportunity to be heard by the judge within these proceedings.​

Copies of German divorce or marriage certificates may be obtained directly from the local civil registrar ("Standesamt") or court in Germany where the marriage or divorce occurred. Contact the German consulate in the United States for guidance on how to obtain copies of your legal documents. You can find additional information on the website of the "German Missions in the United States" at www.germany.info​

In some cases, an authenticated copy of a German divorce decree or marriage certificate will be required when you want to use German documents in the United States. An authenticated official document​ is one that a government authority has certified as genuine. In the case of German legal documents, authentication happens either by obtaining an apostille from the German court or by having the document authenticated by a German embassy or consulate.

Once a German divorce decree is recognized by a U.S. court or authorities, it can serve as the basis for an action seeking financial relief, including the equitable distribution of marital property or pension rights ("Versorgungsausgleich"), provided the German divorce decree is valid. If you have any questions, you should contact an experienced family law attorney in your area.​