Singapore courts generally have jurisdiction over proceedings for divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage only if either of the parties to the marriage is:
- Domiciled in Singapore at the start of proceedings
- Habitually resident in Singapore for at least three years before the start of proceedings.
No writ for divorce can be filed unless at the date of filing, 3 years have passed since the date of the marriage. There are exceptions, for example, a writ for divorce can be filed before 3 years years have passed on the grounds of exceptional hardship suffered by the claimant or exceptional depravity on the part of the defendant.
