Online: our general enquiry form.
By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.
Ending a relationship
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages can help you to end your civil partnership.
Remember when you have children and joint assets you should always get legal help when you end a civil partnership, de facto relationship or marriage.
This page will help you find out about:
Find out what documents you may need to change your family name because of separation, divorce or personal choice.
Civil partnerships
Your civil partnership ends if you or your partner:
- marries
- passes away
- applies to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to end the partnership.
You and your ex-partner can apply individually or together to end the civil partnership.
De facto relationships
To officially end your de facto relationship, you need to inform your ex-partner.
You don't have to apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia or receive a separation certificate.
Divorce
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages does not register divorces.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia looks after divorces for all Australians.
They also provide information about the divorce process, including how to apply, getting proof of divorce and legal resources.
For other useful information visit Legal Aid Queensland.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia looks after all divorces.
Email: enquiries@familylawcourts.gov.au
Phone: 1300 352 000 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5pm)
Support for the separation process
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If you need legal help you can assist:
- find a community legal centre
- contact Legal Aid Queensland
- contact an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal service.
Find other legal information and advice options.
If your civil partnership, de facto partnership or marriage breaks up and you have children, then you will want to make sure you and your ex-partner have organised appropriate care for your children.
Other websites to visit:
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for more information about children and separation.
- Services Australia to find help with child support arrangements between separated parents.
The court approaches dividing assets and debt the same way whether you are ending your civil partnership, de facto relationship or divorcing.https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/fp/overview
Read more about property and money after separation.
Legal Aid Queensland also provides useful information about dividing your property.
Don’t forget to tell organisations of your separation so they can remove your ex-partner from your records. Make a list, this may include telling your:
- bank and mortgage provider
- Australian Taxation Office
- Medicare
- insurer
- manager of your will
- rental agent.
You may find the Moneysmart's divorce and separation financial checklist helpful.
If you rent with your ex-partner, the Residential Tenancies Authority provides information about changing the tenancy agreement if someone is moving out.