Family
Marriage equality from 2024 and administrative divorce
Estonia became the first Baltic and post-Soviet state to open marriage to same-sex couples, effective January 2024. Uncontested divorces can be granted by a notary or vital-statistics office.
Key rules
- Same-sex marriage has been available since 1 January 2024.
- Uncontested divorce can be granted by a notary or registrar without a court.
- Contested matters go to the county court.
Governing law
- Family Law Act (Perekonnaseadus)
- Marriage reform (2024)
In practice
The 2024 marriage reform replaced the earlier registered-partnership framework, marking a notable shift in the region.