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Legal Information: Northern Mariana Islands

Divorce

Laws current as of June 27, 2024

How long do I have to live in the Northern Mariana Islands before I can file for divorce? (What are the residency requirements?)

The rules about how long you or your spouse must live in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) before filing for a divorce are called “residency requirements.” There is one set of rules if you and your spouse both want to get divorced. There is a different set of rules if your spouse does not want to get divorced.

If…

Then…
  • You and your spouse both want to get divorced…
  • One of you must have lived in CNMI for at least seven days before you begin your court case.
  • You and your spouse must write up an agreement that says you both agree to the divorce. You must have the agreement notarized.1
  • Your spouse doesn’t want to get divorced…
  • One of you must have lived in the CNMI for at least 90 days before you begin your court case. This includes military members stationed in the CNMI.2

Note: Only one spouse must meet the residency requirement rules explained in the chart above. If you qualify, CNMI divorce laws will apply no matter where your spouse lives.

1 8 CMC § 1332(b)
2 8 CMC § 1332(a)

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