Getting divorced in England and Wales is now a no-fault process, but it still runs on strict timetables and paperwork. This step-by-step guide walks you through the divorce procedure in the UK — from checking you are eligible to receiving your Final Order — so you know exactly what happens and when.
Before you start: are you eligible?
To apply for a divorce in England or Wales you must have been married for at least one year, your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK, and either you or your spouse must be habitually resident or domiciled here. Same rules apply to civil partnership dissolution.
Since April 2022, you no longer need to prove blame. You simply confirm that the marriage has broken down irretrievably — this is the no-fault divorce.
Step 1 — File the divorce application
You can apply on your own (a sole application) or together with your spouse (a joint application). Applications are made online through GOV.UK or on paper form D8. You will need:
- Your original marriage certificate (or a certified copy, with a translation if not in English)
- Your spouse's full name and current address
- The court fee — currently £593 (fee remissions are available if you are on a low income)
Once submitted, the court issues the application and sends it to your spouse (the "respondent").
Step 2 — Acknowledgement of Service
Your spouse must respond within 14 days confirming they have received the application. In a joint application this stage is simpler because both of you are already on record.
The respondent cannot contest the divorce itself under the no-fault regime — they can only challenge jurisdiction, the validity of the marriage, or fraud.
Step 3 — The 20-week reflection period
After the court issues the application, there is a mandatory 20-week "cooling off" period before you can apply for the Conditional Order. This window is designed to give couples time to reflect, arrange finances, and agree child arrangements.
Use these 20 weeks productively: gather financial disclosure, consider mediation, and take advice on a financial settlement.
Step 4 — Apply for the Conditional Order
Once the 20 weeks have passed, you apply for the Conditional Order (formerly the Decree Nisi). A judge reviews the paperwork and, if satisfied, pronounces the Conditional Order in open court. You do not usually need to attend.
The Conditional Order confirms the court sees no reason you cannot divorce — but you are still legally married at this stage.
Step 5 — Sort out finances
This is the step most people underestimate. Divorce does not automatically end financial claims between spouses. To protect yourself you need a financial order — usually a consent order if you have agreed matters, or a court-decided order if you have not.
A financial settlement typically covers:
- Property (the family home and any investment properties)
- Pensions — often the largest asset after the home
- Savings, investments and business interests
- Spousal maintenance (if appropriate)
- Child maintenance (usually handled via the CMS)
Read our guides on financial settlements and pensions on divorce for more.
Step 6 — Apply for the Final Order
At least six weeks and one day after the Conditional Order, you can apply for the Final Order (formerly the Decree Absolute). This is the legal document that ends your marriage — you are now divorced.
Do not rush this step until any financial order is in place. Applying for the Final Order before finances are resolved can affect pension rights and inheritance protections.
How long does a UK divorce take?
The minimum timeline from application to Final Order is around 26 weeks (six months): 20 weeks reflection + at least 6 weeks between Conditional and Final Orders. In practice most cases take 7–12 months, and longer where finances are contested.
Do I need a solicitor to get divorced?
Legally, no — you can complete the divorce paperwork yourself. But the divorce itself is only one part of ending a marriage. A specialist divorce solicitor becomes essential when there are:
- Children and disputes about their care
- Property, pensions or a business to divide
- High-net-worth assets or international elements
- Concerns about coercion, hidden assets or domestic abuse
Getting the financial settlement wrong is far more damaging than getting the divorce paperwork wrong — it is often irreversible.
Alternatives to going to court
Most couples resolve financial and children matters without a contested court hearing. Options include:
- Family mediation — a neutral mediator helps you reach agreement
- Collaborative law — you both instruct collaboratively-trained solicitors and negotiate face-to-face
- Solicitor-led negotiation and round-table meetings
- Arbitration — a private, binding decision from a family arbitrator
Talk to Signature Law
Every divorce is different. Our family team can guide you through each stage of the divorce process, protect your finances, and — where children are involved — help you agree arrangements that work. Get in touch for a confidential initial conversation.
