Article 126 of the Togolese Family Code
Women, Business and the Law 2024 places Togo among the countries where a woman can request and obtain a divorce just as a man can. The basis cited is Article 126 of the Persons and Family Code.
Law No. 2022-017 and equality in remarriage
The World Bank notes that Togolese Law No. 2022-017 of 15 November 2022, Article 2, gives women the same rights as men to remarry. A divorced Togolese woman can therefore consider a new union on an equal footing.
The court of first instance where you live
According to the US fact sheet on civil documents, divorce in Togo is pronounced by the court of first instance of the place where one of the spouses resides. The competent court therefore depends on the address of one of the partners.
Annotation in the margin of Togolese records
Once pronounced, the divorce decision is sent to the civil registry to be noted in the margin of the birth and marriage certificates. This annotation proves your new status at a future wedding, in Togo or abroad.
Family courts and the fast-track procedure
WBL 2024 reports specialised family courts in Togo, provided for by the Code of Judicial Organisation and the Persons and Family Code, as well as a fast-track procedure for certain family disputes, under Articles 117, 127 and 128.
Custody and maintenance after a Togolese divorce: gaps in the sources
Our notes specify neither the custody rules nor the amount of maintenance after a Togolese divorce. For your personal situation, consult a lawyer or the registry of the competent court rather than advice gathered online.
Taking your time before dating
After a separation, many people first reconnect with their friends, their parish or their association. Returning to dating once the anger has subsided makes it possible to approach a new relationship without constantly comparing it with the former spouse.
Talking to the children before starting again in Lomé
Talk to the children first about the separation itself, using words suited to their age. Introduce a new partner only when the relationship is stable. Avoid making them choose between their parents or criticising the other parent in front of them.
An unvarnished profile for a divorced Togolese
State that you are divorced, whether you have children and what you are looking for. This frankness rules out misunderstandings and attracts people ready for a blended family. Keep the details of your former union for private conversations.
Scammers lying in wait for fragile hearts
Washington lists online romance fraud among the frequent scams in Togo. Someone who offers comfort very quickly, promises marriage and then mentions an urgent money problem is following a familiar script. Never transfer money to a contact you have never met.
Remarrying abroad: proof of divorce
Washington points out that the country where you remarry generally demands proof that the previous marriage has ended. A Togolese divorce ruling, together with the birth certificate bearing the marginal annotation, should therefore be kept carefully.
Going further in Togo and next door
The general context of the country is presented on the Togo page. Over-60s should read dating after retirement in Togo. To compare divorce rules, see divorce and new relationships in Benin.
Useful institutions after a divorce in Togo
- Tribunal de première instance: Court of first instance that pronounces divorce in Togo, where one spouse resides, according to the Department of State.
- État civil de la commune: Municipal civil registry that notes the divorce in the margin of the former spouses' birth and marriage certificates.
- Banque mondiale, WBL 2024 Togo: Cites Article 126 of the Persons and Family Code and Law No. 2022-017 on remarriage.
- Département d'État, documents civils togolais: Describes the authority that pronounces divorce and the marginal annotation in the Togolese civil registry.
- Département d'État, se marier à l'étranger: Reminds readers that the country of remarriage generally asks for proof the previous marriage has ended.
Resuming a love life after a Togolese divorce
- Obtain a copy of the divorce ruling from the court of first instance that pronounced it.
- Check that the divorce is noted in the margin of your Togolese birth certificate.
- Take time to explain the separation to your children before introducing anyone to them.
- Write a dating profile that is honest about your Togolese divorce and about any children.
- Meet first in a public place and cut short any request for money, even one presented as temporary.
- Before remarrying, gather the ruling, updated certificates and the papers requested by the chosen town hall.
Divorce and remarriage in Togo: the sourced rules
| Key point | What the source says | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce requested by a woman | Possible as for a man, CPF Art. 126 | World Bank, WBL 2024 |
| Right to remarry | Equal for women and men, Law No. 2022-017 Art. 2 | World Bank, WBL 2024 |
| Competent court | Court of first instance where a spouse resides | Department of State, civil documents |
| Child custody and maintenance | Not published in our notes | No source consulted |
| Waiting period before remarriage | Not published in our notes | No source consulted |
Papers to keep after a divorce in Togo
- Certified copy of the divorce ruling
- Birth certificate bearing the marginal note of the divorce
- Annotated marriage certificate and family record book
- Valid identity document or passport
- Translation and legalisation of the ruling if remarriage takes place outside Togo
Frequent missteps by divorced Togolese returning to dating
- Presenting yourself as single and childless on a profile when the divorce and children will come out later.
- Planning a remarriage before the divorce has been noted on the Togolese civil status records.
- Sending money to a new contact who promises marriage after a few weeks of messages.
- Introducing a new partner to the children before the relationship is stable and they have come to terms with the separation.
- Relying on forums for custody or maintenance instead of consulting a lawyer or the court registry.
Divorced singles' questions about love life in Togo
Can a woman file for divorce in Togo?
Yes. The World Bank (WBL 2024) states that a woman can obtain a divorce ruling in the same way as a man in Togo, on the basis of Article 126 of the Persons and Family Code.
Can you remarry after a divorce in Togo?
Yes. Under Law No. 2022-017 of 15 November 2022, as reported in WBL 2024, Togolese women have the same rights as men to remarry. Proof of divorce must be provided, namely the ruling and the civil status records bearing the marginal note.
Which court pronounces divorce in Togo?
The court of first instance of the place where one of the spouses resides, according to the US fact sheet on Togolese civil documents. The decision is then entered in the civil registry, in the margin of the birth and marriage certificates.
Is there a waiting period before remarrying in Togo?
Our sources mention no specific waiting period for Togo. Ask the town hall where you plan to marry, or a lawyer, before setting a date, to avoid a refusal on the day you submit your file.
Useful platforms and organisations
Service-Public.fr – Médiation familialeOfficial French government page explaining how family mediation works during a separation or divorce.
Justice.fr – Aide juridictionnelleMinistry of Justice page on legal aid, which helps cover lawyer and procedure costs depending on income.
Badoo – Online Dating Safety CentreSafety Centre of Badoo, an app widely used in Africa, with prevention guides, verification features and abuse reporting.
Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr – Escroquerie sentimentaleGuidance from the French public platform explaining how to react, keep evidence and file a complaint after a romance scam.
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.