Find your state's Syariah divorce court
You want to know which court and enactment applies before you file anything.
How to use this tool
Find your state in the table below. Each row names the Syariah court body and enactment for that state, then links to a page with more detail, including court addresses and Sulh procedure.
If you are checking this for a parent or relative, open the linked state page together. It is written for someone who has never dealt with the Syariah Court before.
Jump to your state
| State | Court body and enactment | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Johor | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Johor, under its own 2003 enactment | Johor. |
| Kedah | Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Kedah, under its own newer enactment | Kedah. |
| Kelantan | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Kelantan, with a higher district court claim limit | Kelantan. |
| Melaka | Mahkamah Syariah Negeri Melaka, under its own 2002 enactment | Melaka. |
| Negeri Sembilan | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Sembilan, running a three-tier court structure | Negeri Sembilan. |
Continue matching your state in the second table below if it is not listed above.
More states
| State | Court body and enactment | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Pahang | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Pahang, with two High Court seats instead of one | Pahang. |
| Perak | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Perak, under its own 2004 enactment | Perak. |
| Perlis | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Perlis, a single-district state with one shared court building | Perlis. |
| Pulau Pinang | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Pulau Pinang, under its own 2004 enactment | Pulau Pinang. |
| Sabah | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Sabah, under its own separate 2004 enactment | Sabah. |
If your state is still not listed, check the final table.
Remaining states
| State | Court body and enactment | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Sarawak | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Sarawak, under its own 2001 ordinance | Sarawak. |
| Selangor | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Selangor, under Majlis Agama Islam Selangor | Selangor. |
| Terengganu | Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah Negeri Terengganu, under its own 2017 enactment | Terengganu. |
| Wilayah Persekutuan | Mahkamah Syariah Wilayah Persekutuan, under the Federal Territories Act | Wilayah Persekutuan. |
What this table does not replace
This table names the court body and the enactment your state uses. It does not tell you which route fits your own case.
Read the overview of how the Syariah divorce process works for the general sequence of steps, or the entry on fasakh if your husband will not agree to divorce.
If you are helping someone else
Many readers use this page for a parent, sibling, or friend rather than for themselves. Confirm the state where the marriage was registered and the state where the person now lives, since these can differ.
If English is not the easiest language for the person you are helping, open the Malay or Chinese version of that state’s page, or message us directly and we will explain the process in the language that suits them.
Common questions
Why does the court body have a different name in each state?
Each state runs its own Jabatan Kehakiman Syariah or equivalent body under its own enactment. The functions are similar, but the name and structure are set by that state, not by a single national law.
I am helping a parent who does not read English. Can I use this for them?
Yes. Find the state below, then open that state's own page, which is also available in Malay and Chinese. Read it together, or message us and we can explain the steps in the language your parent understands.
What if the marriage was registered in one state but you now live in another?
Tell us both states. Which court has jurisdiction can depend on where you live now and where the marriage was registered, so it is worth confirming before you file.
Once you know your state, tell us your situation and we will help you confirm the right court and the next step to take.
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