Santa Clara County · Marriages from Mexico and abroad
Married in Mexico, living in San Jose? You can get divorced here.
Where you got married doesn’t decide where you divorce — where you live does. Rosa prepares every California divorce form for you, in Spanish or English, from $1,200 flat.
¿Se casaron en México? Lea esta guía en español →
Can we divorce in California if we married in Mexico?
Yes. A marriage performed in Mexico or any other country can be ended by a California court if one spouse has lived in California for the last 6 months and in Santa Clara County for the last 3 months. Only one of you needs to meet that rule, and your spouse does not have to live in the United States. Expert Multi-Services, a registered Legal Document Assistant in San Jose (LDA #269), prepares the divorce forms at your direction in Spanish or English.
Bring to your first visit
Rosa will tell you if anything else is needed- Your marriage certificate (acta de matrimonio), even if it is in Spanish
- Photo ID
- Your date of separation
- A list of property and debts, in California or Mexico
- Children’s names and birth dates, if you have children
- Any court papers you already received
See an attorney first if…
Rosa will tell you plainly- Your green card or immigration case is based on this marriage
- Your children live in Mexico, or you expect a custody dispute
- You own a house, land or a business in Mexico
- You already started a divorce in Mexico
- There is domestic violence
How a divorce works when you married abroad
- Confirm residency. You or your spouse has lived in California for 6 months and in Santa Clara County for 3 months.
- Rosa prepares your forms. Petition (FL-100) and summons (FL-110), or a joint petition (FL-700) if you both agree and can both sign.
- File in San Jose. Santa Clara County Family Justice Center, 201 N. First St., with the $435 fee or a fee-waiver request.
- Serve your spouse. In the U.S., service follows California rules. If your spouse lives in Mexico, service follows international rules and can take several months; the court’s Self-Help Center can explain the options.
- Disclosures and judgment. Both spouses share financial disclosures, then the judgment is prepared. California requires at least six months before the marriage ends.
Divorce preparation prices
- The $435 court filing fee is separate; you may qualify for a fee waiver (FW-001).
- Costs of serving a spouse who lives abroad are separate.
- We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. We prepare documents at your direction.
“I can’t say enough good things about Rosa and the work she did on my divorce. She was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable — she explained every step clearly and made sure I felt supported. Highly recommend.”Amy SmithDivorce client
Divorce after a marriage in Mexico
Can I get divorced in California if I married in Mexico?
Yes. California residency, not the place of marriage, decides where you can divorce. If one spouse has lived in California for 6 months and in Santa Clara County for 3 months, the case can be filed in San Jose.
My spouse lives in Mexico. Can I still file?
Yes, if you meet the residency rule. Your spouse must still be formally served, and serving someone in Mexico follows international rules that can take several months.
Does my immigration status matter for a divorce?
California does not require a particular immigration status to file for divorce. If your green card or immigration case is based on the marriage, talk to an immigration attorney about how a divorce may affect it before you file.
Do I also need to divorce in Mexico?
A California judgment ends the marriage under California law. Whether you also need to register it in Mexico, for example to update the Mexican civil registry, is a question for a Mexican attorney or consulate.
My marriage certificate is in Spanish. Is that a problem?
No. Bring it to your first appointment. Rosa reads Spanish natively and will tell you which documents the court forms ask for.
How much does it cost?
Expert Multi-Services prepares an uncontested divorce for $1,200 without children and from $1,700 with children and assets. The $435 court fee and any cost of serving a spouse abroad are separate.
Talk with Rosa about your case
Walk in Monday–Friday, 10 AM–6 PM, at 434 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, or book online. Se habla español.
Expert Multi-Services Inc. is a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant (LDA #269, Santa Clara County). We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. We prepare documents at your direction.