Johnny Depp's wife Amber Heard has filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences" after 15 months of marriage to the Hollywood star, according to celebrity news media reports.

Key points: Amber Heard submitted petition to Los Angeles court on Monday

Amber Heard submitted petition to Los Angeles court on Monday Separation comes less than a week after Depp's mother's death

Separation comes less than a week after Depp's mother's death Heard and Depp have no children together, custody of dogs was not mentioned

Court records published by the TMZ website show that Heard submitted the petition to a court in Los Angeles on Monday, seeking spousal support from the 52-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star.

The separation comes less than a week after the death of Depp's mother — Betty Sue Palmer — at the age of 81.

Celebrity magazine People, which said it had also obtained a copy of the petition, said 30-year-old Heard cited "irreconcilable differences".

The pair, who have no children together, have been embroiled in a spat with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce since Heard failed to declare the couple's two dogs when they arrived on the Gold Coast last year for the filming of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean instalment.

Mr Joyce, who is also Agriculture Minister, threatened to have Pistol and Boo put down unless they "buggered off back to the United States" for breaking Australia's strict quarantine laws and Heard last month admitted falsifying her immigration arrivals card and was placed on a $1,000 one-month good behaviour bond.

The battle between Johnny Depp and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister re-ignited yesterday, with the Hollywood star saying Mr Joyce looks like he was "inbred with a tomato" and the minister declaring he is Depp's "Hannibal Lecter" and "inside his head".

The couple released an awkward video apology, after which Mr Joyce mocked Depp for looking like "he was auditioning for the Godfather".

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp fronted Southport Courthouse over a quarantine breach ( AAP: Dave Hunt )

"In all seriousness, the one thing I will never revel in is any relationship breakdown, no matter what animosity that might be seen on the airwaves between Mr Depp and myself," Mr Joyce said when asked about the split.

"I have always wished the very best for people. No, I would never ever revel in something like that."

The couple do not have a pre-nuptial agreement, TMZ reported.

Heard listed their date of separation as Sunday in the documents published by the website, which make no mention of custody of the dogs.

Depp and Heard met on the set of the 2011 film The Rum Diary, when Depp was still in a long-term relationship with the French actress Vanessa Paradis — mother of his son Jack and daughter Lily-Rose.

They married in a small, private ceremony in Los Angeles in February last year before celebrating with a larger event on Depp's private island in the Bahamas.

Representatives for Depp or Heard could not immediately be reached for comment.

AFP