Yes. Divorce is guaranteed in the United States if done properly. A spouse cannot legally block divorce forever by leaving the country or refusing to participate.

• The divorce case can still be filed in New Jersey if jurisdiction rules are met
• International service is usually the biggest delay
• Default divorce may still be possible if service requirements are satisfied

When your spouse lives abroad, New Jersey courts still require proof that they were properly served. This is not the same as mailing papers casually or sending an email without authorization.

Common overseas service pathways include:

• Hague Convention service (many European and Asian countries participate)
• Service through foreign central authorities
• Letters rogatory (slower, formal diplomatic methods)
• Court-approved alternative service (rare, case-specific)

International service often takes months. Proper preparation prevents costly restart.

Divorce itself is not “blocked.” The timeline stretches because international compliance adds layers:

• Translation requirements in some countries
• Foreign government processing delays
• Proof-of-service certification rules
• Extended waiting periods before default can proceed

In cases involving spouses in Asia or Europe, service is almost always the longest stage — not the divorce filing itself.

If your spouse does not respond after valid overseas service, the case may proceed through default procedures.

• Default does not mean automatic instant divorce
• It means the case can move forward without their participation
• Courts still require proof of proper service first

• Filing correctly but serving incorrectly overseas
• Submitting incomplete certifications
• Not tracking Hague Convention requirements
• Relying on informal delivery methods
• Missing deadlines once service is confirmed

International divorce is paperwork discipline. One wrong step can cause a restart.