Delhi’s family courts and where they sit
Matrimonial cases in Delhi, including divorce, maintenance, custody and guardianship, are heard by the Family Courts established under the Family Courts Act, 1984. These courts are organised by judicial district and sit within the main district court complexes. Broadly:
- Tis Hazari Courts – Family Courts for the Central and West districts.
- Rohini Courts – Family Courts for the North and North-West districts.
- Karkardooma Courts – Family Courts for the East, North-East and Shahdara districts.
- Saket Courts – Family Courts for the South and South-East districts.
- Dwarka Courts – Family Courts for the South-West district.
- Patiala House Courts – Family Courts for the New Delhi district.
The allocation of police-station areas to districts is fixed by notification and changes from time to time, so the correct court is always checked against the relevant address before filing. Appeals from Delhi’s Family Courts go to the Delhi High Court.
Choosing the right court: jurisdiction in practice
Under Section 19 of the Hindu Marriage Act, a divorce petition can be filed where the marriage was solemnised, where the respondent lives, where the couple last lived together, or where the wife lives if she is the petitioner. In a city as large as Delhi, more than one of these may apply. For example, a couple who married at a venue in South Delhi, last lived together in Dwarka, and now live separately in Rohini and Laxmi Nagar could have options before several different Family Courts. Convenience of travel, particularly for a spouse caring for children, is a common consideration.
Many Delhi cases also cross state lines, because one spouse lives in Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram or Faridabad. If cases are filed in two different states, a transfer petition to bring them before one court must be filed in the Supreme Court under Section 25 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Within Delhi, transfers between courts are dealt with by the district judiciary or the Delhi High Court.
Mediation and counselling in Delhi
Delhi has a well-developed mediation system. Each district court complex has a court-annexed mediation centre run under the Delhi Mediation Centre, and the Delhi High Court runs its own mediation and conciliation centre. Family Courts routinely refer divorce, maintenance and custody disputes to mediation. Many cases that begin as contested petitions end in a settlement and a mutual consent divorce after mediation.
Separately, where a wife files a complaint about matrimonial cruelty with the Delhi Police, it is often first handled by the Crime Against Women (CAW) Cell of the concerned police district. The CAW Cell typically calls both sides for counselling and attempts reconciliation before deciding on further action. What is said and recorded at this stage can matter later, so it is sensible to approach it carefully.
Documents often asked for in Delhi
- Marriage registration certificate. Marriages in Delhi are required to be registered under the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014, and registration is handled through the offices of the Sub-Divisional Magistrates. A certified copy is useful proof of marriage.
- Address proof showing where each spouse lives, because it determines which Delhi court has jurisdiction.
- Affidavit of assets and liabilities in the format required after Rajnesh v. Neha (2020), wherever maintenance or alimony is in issue.
- Copies of any CAW Cell complaint, FIR, domestic violence proceeding or earlier court order.
Practical notes for Delhi cases
- Case status online. Delhi’s district courts are on the eCourts system, so the status of a case, next dates and orders can usually be checked online with the case number or party names.
- Video conferencing. Delhi courts have facilities for hearing parties by video in suitable cases, which helps when one spouse is outside Delhi or abroad. See our page on NRI divorce.
- Legal aid. The Delhi State Legal Services Authority and the District Legal Services Authorities have offices in the court complexes, and women and children are eligible for free legal services.
- Child visitation. Some Delhi court complexes have child-friendly rooms where court-ordered visits can take place. See our child custody page.
Divorce routes available in Delhi
The law applied in Delhi is the same central law that applies across India. Depending on your circumstances, the route may be:
- a mutual consent divorce under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act;
- a contested divorce on grounds such as cruelty or desertion;
- a divorce under the Special Marriage Act for civil and interfaith marriages;
- with related claims for alimony and maintenance and child custody.
Our team works with clients from across Delhi, from Rohini and Pitampura in the north to Dwarka and Janakpuri in the west, Saket and Vasant Kunj in the south, and Mayur Vihar and Preet Vihar in the east. If you live in a neighbouring city, see our pages on Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.
Last reviewed: September 2026. This page is general information about the law and is not legal advice. Laws, rules and court practice change; please take advice on your specific facts.