If you are a Nepali citizen living in the United Kingdom and need to file for divorce in Nepal, you do not have to travel back. The National Civil Code, 2074 allows NRNs to file for divorce through an Authorized Power of Attorney (Adhikrit Waresnama) attested at the Embassy of Nepal in London. Whether you are seeking a mutual consent divorce or a contested divorce by court order, this guide covers the complete process, embassy requirements, document checklist, and timeline for filing a divorce in Nepal from the UK.
Under the National Civil Code, 2074, there are two ways to obtain a divorce in Nepal:
Mutual Consent Divorce: Both spouses agree to end the marriage and settle all matters including property division, child custody, and maintenance. The court grants the divorce typically within 2 to 3 working days once both parties (or their POA representatives) appear before the court. This is the fastest and most cost-effective option.
Contested Divorce (Court Order): One spouse files a divorce petition on legal grounds specified in the Civil Code. The divorce process involves court hearings, evidence examination, and mediation attempts. This typically takes 12 to 14 months or longer.
Since you cannot physically appear before a Nepali District Court while living in the UK, the law allows you to appoint a representative through an Authorized Power of Attorney (Adhikrit Waresnama). This person — typically a trusted family member or your divorce lawyer in Nepal — will file the case, attend court hearings, sign legal documents, and represent you throughout the proceedings.
The complete process for filing a divorce in Nepal from the UK follows these steps:
A Nepali advocate (lawyer) must draft the POA document on Nepali legal paper. The document must include the three-generation details (तीन पुस्ते विवरण) of both the person giving the POA and the person receiving it, as required by the Muluki Civil Procedure Code, 2074. The POA must expressly authorize the representative to file and represent you in divorce proceedings before the concerned District Court in Nepal.
You must personally appear before the Ambassador at the Embassy of Nepal in London to sign the POA document. The embassy verifies your identity, confirms your free consent, and attests the document with the embassy seal. Key points about the embassy process:
The following documents are required for divorce POA attestation at the Embassy of Nepal in London:
The embassy fee for POA attestation is £5 (five pounds). If the POA involves property sale or transfer of rights to persons outside three generations, the fee is £35 (thirty-five pounds).
Once attested, the original POA document is sent to Nepal (typically by courier or through a trusted person). The appointed representative in Nepal then uses this document to file the divorce case in the concerned District Court.
Your POA representative files the divorce petition, attends court hearings, participates in mediation, negotiates property division and child custody arrangements, and signs all legal documents on your behalf. Once the court grants the divorce, a Certificate of Divorce is issued.
Need help filing divorce in Nepal from the UK? Our divorce lawyers prepare your Power of Attorney, handle court proceedings, and complete the process without requiring your travel to Nepal. Book a consultation or call +977 9841114443.
If both husband and wife are in the UK and agree to divorce by mutual consent, both must separately appoint their own POA representatives. Each spouse visits the Embassy of Nepal in London, signs their respective POA documents, and sends them to Nepal. The two POA representatives then appear before the District Court together to complete the mutual consent divorce process. For the detailed step-by-step process, see our guide on filing divorce from abroad in Nepal.
If your spouse does not agree to divorce, you can still file a contested divorce from the UK through your POA representative. The representative files the petition in the District Court based on the legal grounds specified in the Civil Code (such as living separately for 3+ years, cruelty, adultery, or bigamy). The court process involves notice to the defendant, mediation attempts, evidence examination, and a final decision. This process typically takes 12 to 14 months.
Yes. Under Article 706 of the National Civil Code, 2074, a divorce obtained in the UK between Nepali citizens or between a Nepali citizen and a foreign national is recognized in Nepal — provided it was granted in accordance with UK law. However, recognition is not automatic. You must file an application for recognition of foreign divorce in Nepal before a District Court, submit the UK decree absolute with proper authentication, and register the divorce at the local ward office.
Important: even after recognition of a UK divorce, property located in Nepal is governed by Nepali law under Article 707. A UK property settlement does not automatically apply to assets in Nepal.
Yes. The UK generally recognizes overseas divorces if they were obtained through proper legal proceedings in the country where they were granted. A Nepali divorce decree obtained through the District Court is considered valid in the UK, provided both parties had proper notice and the opportunity to participate in the proceedings.
Under Nepali law, property partition must be addressed before or during divorce proceedings. If the divorce is caused by the husband's fault, the wife is entitled to an equal partition share of property. If the wife cannot receive property (for example, if there is no property to partition), the court may order the husband to pay monthly maintenance (alimony) based on his income. The POA representative negotiates and agrees upon property division on your behalf during court proceedings.
If the divorcing couple has children, child custody arrangements are decided during the divorce proceedings. Under Nepali law, minor children are generally placed with the mother, and the father is required to contribute to child support. Custody and visitation arrangements are documented in the court order. If the children reside in the UK, enforcement of Nepali custody orders may require separate legal steps in UK courts.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 12A Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QU, UK |
| Phone | +44 (0)207 229 1594 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM) |
| Consular Email (POA) | consular@nepembassy.org.uk |
| Emergency (After Hours) | +44 (0)7404 939274 |
| POA Submission | 9:15 AM – 12:00 PM |
| POA Collection | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
| POA Fee (Divorce) | £5 (£35 if property transfer involved) |
| Nearest Tube | Notting Hill Gate (10 min walk) or High Street Kensington (10–15 min) |
| By Bus | Routes 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, 452, N9 — stop at south entrance of Kensington Palace Gardens |
| Parking | NCP Royal Garden Hotel car park or Euro Car Park at 150 Bayswater Rd, W2 4RT |
Important: You must book an online appointment before visiting the embassy. Walk-ins are not accepted for POA attestation. Contact the consular section at consular@nepembassy.org.uk to schedule your appointment.
| Stage | Mutual Consent | Contested |
|---|---|---|
| POA drafting + embassy attestation | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Sending POA to Nepal | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Court proceedings in Nepal | 2–3 working days | 12–14 months |
| Total estimated time | 3–5 weeks | 13–15 months |
Many Nepali couples in the UK choose to file in Nepal for practical reasons. The divorce process in Nepal is significantly less expensive than UK proceedings. Mutual consent divorce in Nepal takes only 2 to 3 days compared to weeks or months in the UK. Nepali law allows direct settlement of property located in Nepal during the divorce. The process is familiar and conducted under laws that both spouses understand. Additionally, filing in Nepal through POA eliminates the need for both parties to physically attend court in any country.
Filing for divorce in Nepal from the United Kingdom is a practical and cost-effective process for NRNs. The key step is obtaining an Authorized Power of Attorney attested at the Embassy of Nepal in London. Once your representative in Nepal has the attested POA, they can handle the entire court process — from filing the petition to obtaining the divorce certificate. Whether you choose mutual consent or contested divorce, the process can be completed without leaving the UK. For professional assistance with your divorce case, our divorce lawyer service specializes in helping NRNs in the UK navigate the Nepal divorce process efficiently.
No. You can file for divorce in Nepal from the UK by appointing an Authorized Power of Attorney at the Embassy of Nepal in London. Your representative handles the entire court process in Nepal on your behalf.
The Embassy of Nepal is located at 12A Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QU, UK. The nearest tube station is Notting Hill Gate (10 minute walk). Contact the consular section at consular@nepembassy.org.uk or call +44 (0)207 229 1594.
Yes. You must book an online appointment before visiting the Embassy of Nepal in London. Walk-ins are not accepted for POA attestation. Contact consular@nepembassy.org.uk to schedule your appointment. Document submission hours are 9:15 AM to 12:00 PM.
The embassy fee for divorce POA attestation is £5 (five pounds). If the POA involves property sale or transfer of rights to persons outside three generations, the fee is £35 (thirty-five pounds).
Required documents include: 2 original copies of the POA document (drafted by a Nepali advocate), original citizenship certificates of both parties, Nepali passport and visa copy, marriage registration certificate, citizenship copies of witnesses, and 3 recent photographs (white background) of both parties.
No. Only a Nepali citizen residing in Nepal can be appointed as your Power of Attorney for divorce proceedings. If you are married to a UK citizen, they cannot act as your POA representative. You need to appoint a Nepali citizen living in Nepal.
The total process takes approximately 3 to 5 weeks: 1-2 weeks for POA preparation and embassy attestation, 1-2 weeks for sending documents to Nepal, and 2-3 working days for court proceedings. This is significantly faster than UK divorce proceedings.
Contested divorce typically takes 13 to 15 months total: 2-4 weeks for POA preparation and sending to Nepal, plus 12-14 months for court proceedings including mediation, evidence examination, and final judgment.
Yes. Under Article 706 of the National Civil Code, 2074, a UK divorce is recognized in Nepal if it was granted in accordance with UK law. However, you must file for recognition of foreign divorce in a Nepali District Court. It is not automatic.
Yes. The UK generally recognizes overseas divorces obtained through proper legal proceedings. A Nepali divorce decree from a District Court is considered valid in the UK, provided both parties had proper notice and opportunity to participate.
Under Nepali law, property partition must be addressed before or during divorce. The wife is entitled to an equal share if the divorce is due to the husband's fault. Your POA representative negotiates property division on your behalf in Nepal.
Under Nepali law, minor children are generally placed with the mother, and the father contributes to child support. Custody arrangements are documented in the court order. If children reside in the UK, enforcement may require separate legal steps in UK courts.
Yes, significantly. Divorce proceedings in Nepal are considerably less expensive than in the UK. The embassy POA fee is only £5, and legal fees in Nepal are a fraction of UK solicitor costs. Mutual consent divorce in Nepal takes days rather than months.
Yes. If both spouses are in the UK and agree to divorce, each must separately appoint their own POA representative at the Embassy of Nepal in London. The two representatives then appear before the District Court together to complete the mutual consent divorce.
If the POA document is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must repeat the entire process with the same embassy fee (£5 or £35) and submit all required documents again. It is recommended to send the attested POA to Nepal via tracked courier service.
At Nepal Divorce Services, Nepal's first specialized divorce law firm, we understand that taking the first step toward divorce can feel overwhelming. Our experienced divorce lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process and help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Whether you're inside or outside Nepal and need assistance with filing a divorce case, our services are accessible worldwide. Contact us at +977 9841114443, on WhatsApp, or Viber.
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