By Sital Somaiya, Founder and Solicitor. Last reviewed 15 October 2026.
Key points
- You can apply for divorce on your own (sole) or together with your spouse (joint). The legal result and minimum timeline are the same.
- A joint application needs both of you to confirm each stage. It suits couples who agree the marriage is over and can cooperate.
- A sole application gives you control of the timing and does not depend on your spouse engaging. It suits most cases where there is conflict, abuse or delay.
- A joint application can become a sole one if your spouse stops cooperating. A sole application cannot become joint.
Since April 2022, couples can apply for divorce together. It sounds like the friendlier option, and it often is, but it is not always the right choice. This guide compares the two and explains what happens in each if things change along the way.
Our free divorce route planner asks a few questions and suggests which route fits your situation.
In this guide
- How each route works
- When a joint application works well
- When a sole application is usually better
- Decision guide
- If your spouse stops cooperating in a joint application
- Can we use the same solicitor?
- Does the route affect money or children?
- Frequently asked questions
- Talk to us
How each route works
| Sole application | Joint application | |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | You, as the applicant | Both of you, as applicant 1 and applicant 2 |
| Your spouse’s role | Respondent. They receive the papers and complete an acknowledgement of service. | Co-applicant. They confirm the application and each later stage. |
| Service | The papers must be served on your spouse | No service needed |
| Conditional order | You apply | You both apply |
| Final order | You apply. If you do not, your spouse can apply after a further 3 months. | You both apply, or one applies alone after giving 14 days’ notice to the other |
| Minimum time | About 26 weeks from issue | About 26 weeks from issue |
| Can it change? | No, it cannot become joint | Yes, it can continue as a sole application |
When a joint application works well
- You both accept the marriage is over and want to move on
- You communicate reasonably well and will each respond promptly
- You want a neutral, cooperative tone, perhaps because of children
- You are already making progress on the finances, for example through mediation
When a sole application is usually better
- There has been domestic abuse or controlling behaviour. You should not have to rely on your spouse to progress your divorce.
- Your spouse is unlikely to engage, or tends to delay
- You want control over the timing of the final order, for example so it is not made before your finances are settled
- Your spouse is abroad or hard to contact
- You simply want it done, and doing it alone is quicker in practice
Decision guide
| Your situation | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Mutual decision, good communication | Joint |
| Mutual decision, but one of you is slow with paperwork | Sole, with the other agreeing to acknowledge promptly |
| Spouse does not want the divorce | Sole |
| History of domestic abuse | Sole, with advice about keeping your address confidential if needed |
| Spouse lives abroad | Sole, with advice on jurisdiction and service |
| Large difference in financial position, finances not yet agreed | Usually sole, so the financially weaker spouse is not pressured over the final order’s timing |
If your spouse stops cooperating in a joint application
This is the main risk of applying jointly. If your spouse refuses to confirm the conditional order or the final order, the application can continue with one of you as the sole applicant. Extra steps are needed, such as serving papers on the other or giving notice, and it can add time. At the final order stage, one joint applicant can apply alone after giving the other 14 days’ notice.
Can we use the same solicitor?
Usually not. A solicitor cannot act for both spouses where their interests may conflict, and in a divorce they nearly always can, especially over money. In a joint application, one of you may instruct a solicitor and the other act in person, or you can each have your own. Mediators can work with you both, but they cannot advise either of you individually.
Does the route affect money or children?
No. Whether you apply jointly or alone has no effect on how assets are divided or on arrangements for children, and it says nothing about who is to blame. Those are decided separately. See our guides to consent orders and child arrangements.
An example
Claire and Ollie agreed to separate and started a joint application. At the conditional order stage, Ollie stopped replying to emails because he was unhappy about the financial negotiations. Claire’s solicitor took the steps to continue the application with Claire as the sole applicant. It added a few weeks, but the divorce went ahead. Separately, the financial negotiations moved to mediation.
This is an illustrative example, not a real case.
Frequently asked questions
Is a joint divorce application quicker?
The minimum time is the same. A joint application avoids time spent serving papers and waiting for an acknowledgement, but it can be slower if either of you is slow to confirm each stage.
Can we switch from sole to joint?
No. Once a sole application is made, it stays sole. You can, however, still cooperate fully on everything else.
What if my spouse refuses to sign the joint application?
Then you simply apply on your own as a sole applicant. Your spouse cannot prevent the divorce by refusing to take part.
Does applying first give me an advantage?
Not in how assets are divided. The main practical advantage of being the sole applicant is control over when to apply for the conditional and final orders.
Can I keep my address private?
Yes, if there are safety concerns, you can ask the court to keep your contact details confidential. Tell your solicitor or the court when you apply.
Sources
- Get a divorce, GOV.UK
- Family Procedure Rules, Part 7, Ministry of Justice
Talk to us
Signature Law advises on sole and joint divorce applications in Romford, Essex and East London. Plan your route with our divorce route planner or speak to our divorce solicitors in Romford.
Request a callback, or call 01708 398 851.
