By Sital Somaiya, Founder and Solicitor. Last reviewed 15 October 2026.
Key points
- The law sets a minimum of about 26 weeks from the court issuing your application to the final order.
- That is made up of a 20-week reflection period before the conditional order, and a further 6 weeks and 1 day before the final order.
- Court processing, problems serving your spouse and waiting for the money to be sorted out often add months.
- The divorce and the financial settlement run on separate timetables. Most people should not apply for the final order until the finances are dealt with.
Since no-fault divorce came in on 6 April 2022, every divorce in England and Wales follows the same fixed stages. Nobody can speed up the minimum periods, but plenty of things can slow a divorce down. This guide sets out the timeline week by week, and how to keep to it.
For a personalised timeline based on your answers, use our free divorce route planner.
In this guide
- The minimum timeline, week by week
- Your key dates checklist
- Why the clock starts at issue
- What usually causes delays
- How the money fits in
- Why you should usually wait for the finances before the final order
- Joint and sole applications: does it change the timeline?
- How to keep your divorce on track
- Frequently asked questions
- Talk to us
The minimum timeline, week by week
| When | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | The court issues the divorce application. The 20-week clock starts now, not when you submit it. | Court |
| Weeks 0 to 2 | In a sole application, the court sends the papers to your spouse | Court, or the applicant if serving personally |
| Within 14 days of receiving them | Your spouse completes the acknowledgement of service | Respondent |
| Weeks 0 to 20 | Reflection period. A good time to start sorting out money and arrangements for children. | Both of you |
| Week 20 onwards | You can apply for the conditional order | Applicant, or both if joint |
| A few weeks later | A judge or legal adviser checks the papers and, if satisfied, gives a date for the conditional order to be pronounced | Court |
| Pronouncement date | Conditional order pronounced. You do not usually need to attend. | Court |
| 6 weeks and 1 day later | You can apply for the final order | Applicant, or both if joint |
| Shortly after applying | Final order made. You are divorced. | Court |
Adding the two fixed periods gives a minimum of about 26 weeks. In practice, the time it takes the court to process the conditional order means most uncontested divorces take seven to nine months. Check GOV.UK for current processing times, which vary.
Your key dates checklist
| Date to note | How to work it out | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Issue date | Shown on the court’s notice of issue or your online account | The 20-week clock runs from this date |
| Acknowledgement due | 14 days after your spouse receives the papers | If it is missed, consider an application about service |
| Earliest conditional order application | 20 weeks after the issue date | Apply promptly to avoid losing your place in the queue |
| Conditional order pronounced | Given on the certificate of entitlement | The 6 week and 1 day period runs from this date |
| Earliest final order application | 6 weeks and 1 day after pronouncement | Check your financial order is in place first |
| 12-month mark | 12 months after pronouncement | After this, you must explain the delay when applying for the final order |
Why the clock starts at issue
Many people count from the day they submit their application. The 20 weeks actually runs from the date the court issues it, which can be a few days or weeks later if the court has queries. Keep an eye on your online account or post for the issue date, and diarise 20 weeks from then.
What usually causes delays
| Delay | Why it happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Errors in the application | Wrong marriage details, names that do not match the certificate, or a missing translation of a foreign certificate | Check the marriage certificate carefully before applying |
| Spouse does not respond | In a sole application, the court needs proof your spouse received the papers | Give an up-to-date email and postal address. If there is still no response, you can apply to the court about service. |
| Spouse cannot be found | Papers cannot be served | The court can allow alternative service, such as by social media or to a relative, or in rare cases dispense with service |
| Court backlog | The conditional order stage depends on court capacity | Apply promptly at week 20 and respond quickly to any court query |
| Waiting for the finances | Most people should delay the final order until a financial order is approved | Start financial discussions during the reflection period, not after it |
| Delay over 12 months | If you apply for the final order more than 12 months after the conditional order, you must explain why | Apply on time, or be ready to give reasons |
How the money fits in
The divorce ends the marriage. It does not divide your property, pensions or savings. That needs a separate financial order, either agreed and approved by the court as a consent order, or decided by a judge.
| Route to a financial order | Typical timescale |
|---|---|
| Agreed between you, then approved as a consent order | A few months, depending on how quickly you agree and the court processes it |
| Agreed through mediation, then a consent order | A few months longer, to allow for mediation sessions |
| Court proceedings: Form A, first appointment, FDR hearing, final hearing | Often a year or more if it goes all the way. Most cases settle at or before the FDR. |
Before you can apply to court about money, you will usually need to attend a MIAM, unless an exemption applies. The court process is explained in our guide to Form E and the FDR hearing.
Why you should usually wait for the finances before the final order
Once the final order is made, you are no longer married. That can cost you rights you would otherwise have, such as pension benefits payable to a widow or widower if your ex-spouse dies before your finances are settled. Most solicitors advise waiting until the financial order is approved. Our guide to the final order explains the risks in detail.
Joint and sole applications: does it change the timeline?
The minimum periods are the same. A joint application avoids the time spent serving your spouse and waiting for the acknowledgement, and both of you confirm each stage. If your spouse stops cooperating, the application can usually continue with one of you as sole applicant, but it may take longer. See our guide to sole and joint applications.
How to keep your divorce on track
- Have your marriage certificate ready, with a certified translation if it is not in English
- Check every detail before you submit, especially names and the date and place of marriage
- Give the court accurate contact details for your spouse, including email
- Diarise the key dates: week 20 from issue, and 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order is pronounced
- Use the reflection period to agree arrangements for children and start the financial disclosure
- Respond quickly to any court query
An example
Gemma applied for a sole divorce online on 3 February. The court issued it on 10 February and emailed it to her husband, who acknowledged it a week later. Gemma applied for the conditional order on 30 June, after the 20 weeks had passed. It was pronounced on 4 August. Meanwhile they agreed their finances through mediation, and a consent order was approved in September. Gemma applied for the final order on 22 September and was divorced a few days later, about seven and a half months after applying.
This is an illustrative example, not a real case.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest a divorce can be done?
About 26 weeks from the date the court issues the application, because of the 20-week reflection period and the 6 weeks and 1 day before the final order. Nobody can shorten these periods.
Can the 20-week period be shortened?
Only in very limited circumstances, by application to the court, and it is rare. In practice, you should plan on the full 20 weeks.
What if my spouse ignores the divorce papers?
The divorce can still go ahead. If the court cannot confirm they received the papers, you can apply for an order about service, such as deemed or alternative service. This adds time but does not stop the divorce.
Do I have to apply for the final order straight away?
No. You can apply any time after 6 weeks and 1 day from the conditional order. Many people wait until their financial order is approved. If you wait more than 12 months, you must explain the delay.
Does sorting out arrangements for children delay the divorce?
No. Arrangements for children are dealt with separately and do not stop the divorce progressing. Our child arrangements team can help with those alongside the divorce.
Sources
- Get a divorce, GOV.UK
- Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, legislation.gov.uk
- Family Procedure Rules, Part 7, Ministry of Justice
Talk to us
Signature Law guides people through every stage of divorce in Romford, Essex and East London. Plan your timeline with our divorce route planner, or speak to our divorce solicitors in Romford.
Request a callback, or call 01708 398 851.
