Article 1792: divorce open to both spouses
The Women, Business and the Law 2024 snapshot on Guinea-Bissau answers yes to the question: can a woman obtain a divorce in the same way as a man? It cites Article 1792 of the Civil Code as the legal basis.
Article 1605: remarriage that is not equal
The same snapshot answers no on equal rights to remarry, referring to Article 1605 of the Civil Code. Our sources do not specify the exact nature of this difference; a Bissau-Guinean lawyer can explain how it affects your case.
What the Bissau-Guinean Civil Code does not tell us here
Procedural timescales, child custody, maintenance and the division of property after a divorce in Guinea-Bissau do not appear in our verified notes. In the absence of sourced data, consult a lawyer or the competent court in Bissau.
Leaving a violent union: Law No. 6/2014
Guinea-Bissau has specific legislation against domestic violence, Law No. 6/2014, according to the World Bank. If your separation follows violence, first get yourself to safety and seek support from an association or from people close to you.
Rebuilding yourself before dating again
After a divorce, the temptation to fill the gap quickly is strong. Give yourself time to sort out housing, children and finances, and to understand what you now want. A new relationship is built better on a settled situation.
A frank profile about your history
Whether you use Tinder, Bumble or Muslima, mention your divorce and any children. Writing in Portuguese or French depending on your audience avoids misunderstandings. People who shy away from this honesty are probably not right for you.
Telling your children about a new relationship in Bissau
Choose a calm moment, tell the truth in simple words and reassure your children of your affection. Let them ask their questions. Introduce the person only when you are sure your relationship is solid.
A new set of in-laws to get to know
A remarriage often involves two families, or even three with that of the former spouse. Discuss with your new partner how each of you wants to involve your relatives, and how to maintain the bond between your children and their other parent.
Scams aimed at lonely divorcees
Fraudsters spot profiles made vulnerable by a separation. According to the FTC, cryptocurrency and wire transfers accounted for more than 60% of reported losses in 2022. Any request for money from someone you have never met should end the exchange.
A foreigner remarrying a Bissau-Guinean
The US Department of State points out that the country of celebration generally requires proof that the previous marriage has ended. A divorced foreigner should therefore bring a certified copy of the judgment. For the full process, see marrying someone from Guinea-Bissau.
Divorce in neighbouring Guinea
Rules on divorce and remarriage vary widely between West African neighbours. Compare with rebuilding your life after a divorce in Guinea, and find the general Bissau-Guinean framework on our home page for Guinea-Bissau.
Divorcing late, as retirement approaches
A divorce after 55 or 60 raises questions of pensions and inheritance. In Guinea-Bissau, the age for a full pension is the same for both sexes; see seniors in Guinea-Bissau for what comes next.
Laws and sources on divorce in Guinea-Bissau
- Banque mondiale, WBL 2024 Guinée-Bissau: Snapshot citing Articles 1792 and 1605 of the Civil Code on divorce and remarriage, and the 2014 law.
- Département d'État, se marier à l'étranger: Reminder of the documents required to remarry outside your own country, including the divorce judgment.
- Muslima: Dating site for Muslim singles worldwide, Cupid Media group, registration from age 18.
- Tinder: General dating app available in more than 190 countries, restricted to people aged at least 18.
After a divorce in Guinea-Bissau, moving forward step by step
- Obtain a certified copy of your final divorce judgment and keep it somewhere safe.
- Ask a lawyer to explain how Article 1605 of the Civil Code affects your remarriage.
- Write an honest profile mentioning your divorce, your children and your expectations.
- Check any new acquaintance by video call before meeting them in a public place.
- Talk to your children about your new relationship once it is settled and lasting.
- Before remarrying, ask the civil registry or the consulate for the list of documents to provide.
Bissau-Guinean divorce at a glance
| Key point | What the source says | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce on equal terms with men | Yes, Civil Code Art. 1792 | WBL 2024 |
| Same right to remarry | No, Civil Code Art. 1605 | WBL 2024 |
| Domestic violence law | Law No. 6/2014 | WBL 2024 |
| Timescales, custody and maintenance | Not published | Not verified |
| Recent reforms | None between October 2022 and October 2023 | WBL 2024 |
Documents to gather after a divorce in Guinea-Bissau
- Certified copy of the final divorce judgment
- Portuguese translation if the judgment was issued abroad
- Recent birth certificate
- Valid passport or identity card
- Children's birth certificates for any family procedure
Common pitfalls for divorcees in Guinea-Bissau
- Planning a remarriage without checking how Article 1605 of the Civil Code affects your own situation.
- Sending money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to someone met online after the separation.
- Introducing a new partner to your children when the relationship is only a few weeks old.
- Staying in a threatening relationship for fear of divorce, when a 2014 law punishes domestic violence.
- Hiding your divorced status on your profile and creating mistrust from the very first dates.
Divorce in Guinea-Bissau: answers to common questions
Can a woman get a divorce in Guinea-Bissau?
Yes. According to the World Bank's Women, Business and the Law 2024 snapshot, a woman can obtain a divorce in the same way as a man, on the basis of Article 1792 of the Bissau-Guinean Civil Code.
Can a divorced woman remarry in Guinea-Bissau?
Not on the same terms as a man: the World Bank states that Article 1605 of the Civil Code does not give her an equal right to remarry. Our sources do not detail this rule; a Bissau-Guinean lawyer can clarify its exact scope.
How long does a divorce take in Guinea-Bissau?
No procedural timescale is published in our verified sources. It depends in particular on the type of divorce and the court handling the case. A Bissau-Guinean lawyer or the registry of the court in Bissau can give you a realistic estimate.
What should I do in the event of domestic violence in Guinea-Bissau?
First get to safety with people close to you. Guinea-Bissau has a specific law on domestic violence, Law No. 6/2014. A local association, the police or, for a foreigner, their embassy can point you in the right direction.
Useful platforms and organisations
Service-Public.fr – Garde et pension alimentaire à l'amiableOfficial page describing how to agree amicably on child custody and maintenance after a separation.
Justice.fr – Droits et obligations après un divorceOfficial page setting out the rights and obligations that remain between former spouses after a divorce.
Badoo – Online Dating Safety CentreSafety Centre of Badoo, an app widely used in Africa, with prevention guides, verification features and abuse reporting.
Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreCanada's anti-fraud centre, which collects reports and publishes warnings about romance fraud.
Indicative list: AfriqueRencontres.com has no commercial link with these organisations. Never send money to someone you only know online.
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueRencontres.com does not arrange meetings and never asks for money: never transfer money to someone you know only online.