Family and personal matters for Bangladeshis abroad
A marriage that has ended, a child living between two countries, dower or maintenance still unpaid, or an NID and passport that do not match. These matters are decided under Bangladesh law even when you live abroad, and most of the steps can be taken without a trip home.
What we handle for clients abroad
Divorce and talaq when one spouse is abroad
Under section 7 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, a talaq takes effect only after written notice is given to the Chairman or Mayor concerned, with a copy to the wife, and 90 days pass. A husband abroad can send that notice from abroad, and a wife who holds the delegated right of divorce (talaq-e-tafweez) in her kabinnama can do the same. We draft the notice, serve it correctly, attend the arbitration council, and have the divorce registered with the Nikah Registrar. Where a wife seeks dissolution through the Family Court, we file and run the case here.
Foreign divorce decrees
A divorce granted by a court in the UK, US or elsewhere is not always treated as final in Bangladesh, especially for remarriage, inheritance and records. We review the decree and advise whether it can be relied on as it stands or whether a Bangladesh step, such as notice or a declaration, is also needed.
Dower (denmohor) and maintenance
Claims for unpaid dower and for the maintenance of a wife and children go to the Family Court under the Family Courts Act 2023. We file, attend and enforce the decree, and we defend claims brought against clients abroad. Pre-case mediation now applies in more districts, and we represent you in that too.
Custody and guardianship across borders
Custody and guardianship are decided by the Family Court under the Guardians and Wards Act 1890, with the child’s welfare as the main test. Where a child has been taken to or kept in Bangladesh, we act quickly on custody, access and restrictions on removing the child from the country. Bangladesh is not a party to the Hague Child Abduction Convention, so remedies here are court-based.
Marriage and registration
Registering a marriage with a Nikah Registrar, obtaining a certified copy of the kabinnama for a visa or spouse application, correcting an error in the register, or proving a marriage that was never registered.
NID, passport, birth registration and name corrections
Mismatched names and dates are the most common reason NRB paperwork gets stuck. We prepare affidavits, apply for NID and birth registration corrections, and line up the supporting documents so that your NID, passport, certificates and land records match. NID registration for expatriates is also available through Bangladesh missions in a number of countries, and we tell you what to bring.
What is included
- A private, confidential video consultation at a time that suits your time zone
- Written advice on your rights and the options, and on how long each is likely to take
- Drafting and service of notices, petitions and settlement agreements
- Appearance before the Chairman’s arbitration council, the Family Court and mediators
- Registration of divorce or marriage with the Nikah Registrar, and certified copies
- Affidavits and correction applications for NID, birth registration and certificates
- Scans of every document and a written update after each hearing
What we need from you
- The kabinnama (nikahnama) or marriage certificate, and your passport or NID
- The addresses of both spouses in Bangladesh, and of the local union or city ward
- Any foreign court order, previous notice or settlement
- For corrections: the documents that show the right name or date, such as SSC certificate, passport and birth certificate
Timelines and costs
A talaq takes effect 90 days after the notice is received, unless it is revoked earlier. Family Court cases usually take several months and sometimes longer, depending on the district and how far the other side contests. NID and birth registration corrections commonly take a few weeks to a few months. We quote per stage, and court and government fees are separate and receipted.
Related services and guides
Private consultation
A confidential video call at a time that works in your time zone.
Advice in writing
Your rights, the route that fits, likely cost and time, and the documents needed.
Authority to act
A vakalatnama or a special power of attorney, signed where you are.
Notices and filing
We serve notices on the right office, or file in the Family Court with jurisdiction.
Hearings and mediation
We attend for you and report back the same day in writing.
Registration and records
Divorce or marriage registered, orders certified, and records corrected where needed.
Common questions
Can I give talaq from abroad under Bangladesh law?
Yes. Written notice must go to the Chairman or Mayor of the area where the wife lives, with a copy to her. The talaq takes effect 90 days after the Chairman receives it, unless revoked earlier. We draft, serve and follow up the notice, and register the divorce afterwards.
Is a UK or US divorce valid in Bangladesh?
Not always. It depends on the grounds, whether both spouses took part, and what you need it for. We review the decree and tell you whether a further Bangladesh step is advisable.
Can my wife or husband claim dower or maintenance while I am abroad?
Yes. The Family Court can hear the case in your absence, so it should not be ignored. We appear for you, negotiate where sensible, and defend the claim on the facts.
My child has been taken to Bangladesh. What can I do?
Apply to the Family Court for custody or access, and where there is a risk of the child being moved again, for an order restricting removal. Act early: delay can weaken your position.
Do I need to come to Bangladesh for a divorce case?
Often not for every hearing. We represent you, and courts can allow evidence or appearance by video where the law permits. If attendance is needed, we plan it for a single short visit.
How can I correct my name on my NID from abroad?
Apply online through the NID correction service with supporting documents. Where the documents conflict, we prepare an affidavit and the evidence the Election Commission needs, and follow the application through.
Company registration, investment, tax and business compliance for non-residents are handled by our associate firm LegalDesk.bd.
A family matter back home?
Speak to a lawyer in confidence by video call. We will tell you what can be done from abroad and what cannot. A written assessment costs nothing.