Family
The Family Code of 1999 and mandatory civil registration
The Family Code governs marriage, divorce and parental responsibility. Only marriage registered with the state registry has legal effect; a religious ceremony conducted without prior civil registration carries no legal consequence and is an administrative offence for the officiant.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National. Registry offices handle uncontested matters; district courts hear contested cases.
- Deadline — Courts may impose a reconciliation period of up to three months in contested divorce proceedings
Governing law
- Family Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan1999
- Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence (2010) — protection measures
In practice
The minimum marriage age is 18 for both parties, raised from 17 for women in 2011 to address early marriage. A medical examination certificate is required before registration. Divorce by mutual consent without minor children proceeds administratively; otherwise a court decides, and may order a reconciliation period. Property acquired during the marriage is joint and divided equally in principle. Child maintenance is set as a proportion of income. The 2010 domestic violence law provides for short-term and long-term protection orders issued by the police and courts respectively.