Marriage and Family Relations

Family relations in the Republic of Uzbekistan are regulated by the Family Code (in force since 1 September 1998). The Code defines the rights of marriage, divorce, parents and children.

Marriage

• Marriageable age: 18 years, for both men and women (Family Code, Article 15). In special cases, the district or city governor (hokim) may lower the marriageable age by no more than one year.
• Marriage is concluded at the civil registry office (FHDYo) (the body that registers civil status acts). A marriage concluded through a religious ceremony has no legal force.
• Marriage is concluded one month after the application is submitted; if there is a valid reason, this period may be shortened (Article 13).
• Marriage is voluntary, and forcing anyone to enter into it is prohibited (Article 14).

Being in another marriage is an obstacle to marriage. According to Article 16 of the Family Code, marriage is not concluded between the following persons:

• persons at least one of whom is already in another registered marriage;
• close relatives, as well as the adopter and the adopted child;
• persons at least one of whom has been declared legally incapacitated by a court due to mental illness.

Divorce and Alimony

Situation	Where the divorce takes place
There is no underage common child, and the spouses mutually agree	At the FHDYo (Article 42)
The husband or wife has been declared missing or incapacitated by a court, or sentenced to imprisonment for at least 3 years	At the FHDYo, at the application of one of them (Article 43)
Other cases: there is an underage child or a dispute	Through the court (Articles 38, 41)

Remember: if there is an underage child, divorce usually takes place through the court.

Alimony is the money collected from a parent for underage children. If the parents cannot agree, the court sets it as the following share of wages and other income (Article 99):

Number of children	Amount of alimony
One child	1/4 share
Two children	1/3 share
Three or more children	1/2 share

To memorize: Alimony: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2. The more children there are, the larger the share.

Parents' Rights

• Parents have equal rights and obligations.
• Protecting the rights of the child is the duty of the family and the state.