Is Your Divorce Status Updated with the JPN Malaysia?
Quick Summary
Many people assume their divorce is fully completed after getting a court divorce order, but in reality, the process is not complete until the marital status is updated with JPN Malaysia. If this step is missed, your record may still show “Married” even years later.
This may lead to practical problems, especially when planning to remarry or dealing with legal and inheritance matters.
To update your status, you must submit the required documents to JPN Putrajaya or by post, or get assistance from a lawyer to handle the process properly. You can also check your current status through JPN to confirm if it has been updated.
If the divorce certificate is missing or hard to obtain, a lawyer may help retrieve a copy of divorce certificate and complete the update process for you.
Divorce Completed but Marital Status Still Not Updated in JPN Malaysia
A client came to us and informed us that he had appointed a lawyer many years ago to get a divorce in Malaysia. The divorce is completed back then and divorce certificate is issued by the Court. As time passed by, the lawyer cannot be contacted anymore and to his surprise, his marital status is still shown to be married. Is your divorce status updated with the JPN Malaysia?
This kind of situation is not new. In many instances, we have encountered that many people after going through divorce years ago, found out that their marital status is not updated with the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) Malaysia.
Their marital status remained ‘Married’ although their divorce took place many years ago to their surprise.
Effectively, this may prevent one from remarrying if he or she plans to remarry again since the divorce status is not updated with the JPN. There may also be complications under the inheritance law if either one of the parties passed on.
How to Update Your Marital Status After Divorce in Malaysia
Documents Needed to Update Your Marital Status After Divorce
- MyKad (photocopy of MyKad if applying by post) or Passport (photocopy of the page showing your personal details if applying by post)(for non-Malaysians)
- Copy of your Marriage Certificate
- Decree Nisi Absolute (Divorce Certificate)
Where to Update Your Marital Status After Divorce in Malaysia
Update of marital status after a divorce or annulment can only be made at the counter of the National Registration Department Headquarters (JPN) in Putrajaya or by post to the following address:
Ketua Pengarah
Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara
(Bahagian Perkahwinan dan Perceraian)
No. 20, Persiaran Perdana
Presint 2
62551 Putrajaya
You may refer to the link here for further information on how to update your marital status after divorce with the JPN in Malaysia.
How to Check Your Divorce Status Update in Malaysia
You can check the status of your divorce or marital status update in Malaysia through the National Registration Department (JPN) online here to confirm whether your records have been successfully updated.
Lost of Divorce Certificate
This is more common than you think. Many people usually do not keep a copy of their divorce certificate or may have misplaced them.
If you cannot find your divorce certificate for any reason or unable to contact your lawyer who handled your divorce case before this, you may appoint a new lawyer to assist in obtaining a new copy of the divorce certificate.
Conclusion
In short, it is important to note that your divorce lawyer should assist to update the JPN’s marriage and divorce registry on your behalf. Alternatively, you may also do this personally by submitting the divorce certificate to the JPN. Once this is done, you or your divorce lawyer can expect to receive a confirmation in writing that the divorce is updated with the JPN’s marriage and divorce registry.
At TYH & Co., it is our priority and commitment to ensure that your divorce process is dealt with professionally and cost-effectively. We will also assist to update the divorce status with the JPN upon completion of the divorce process free of charge for your peace of mind. Speak to our divorce lawyer if you need any assistance to start the divorce process or update your divorce status with the JPN in Malaysia.
Key Takeaways
- Many people only realise later that their JPN status is still shown as “Married” after years of divorce.
- This happens when the divorce is not updated with JPN after the divorce order is obtained.
- May cause issues with remarriage and inheritance matters.
- You need key documents like MyKad/passport, marriage certificate, and Divorce Certificate to update JPN records.
- You can check your status with JPN, and a lawyer can help if documents are lost or missing.
