2. Do same-sex couples need to go back to countries where they got married to get divorced? Do they need to update their marital status to the Hong Kong government as divorced?

2. Do same-sex couples need to go back to countries where they got married to get divorced? Do they need to update their marital status to the Hong Kong government as divorced?

Hong Kong law does not extend jurisdiction for divorce or decree of nullity to foreign same-sex marriage. Jurisdiction was extended under the Domestic and Cohabitation Relationships Violence Ordinance (Cap. 189) to encompass officially non-recognised relationships for some protective reliefs against domestic violence.

Thus, same-sex couples may need to go back to countries where they got married or go to other countries that recognise dissolution of foreign same-sex marriage for their divorce. They have no obligation to update their marital status to the Hong Kong government unless it is required for other purposes such as welfare rights, housing policy or taxation or as required by law (such as to remarry in Hong Kong).