Get a divorce

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Apply for a conditional order or decree nisi

A conditional order and decree nisi are documents that say that the court does not see any reason why you cannot divorce.

How to apply

How you apply depends on when the court issued your divorce application.

If the court issued your divorce application on or after 6 April 2022

You must wait 20 weeks after your divorce application has been issued by the court before you can apply for a conditional order.

If you applied for a divorce online, you’ll be told how to apply for a conditional order online.

To apply by post, fill in the application for a conditional order.

You can apply for a conditional order and continue with the divorce as a sole applicant, even if you started the divorce process jointly with your husband or wife.

Solicitors can apply online or manage a case using a MyHMCTS account.

If the court issued your divorce application before 6 April 2022

If you applied for a divorce online, you can apply for a decree nisi online.

To apply by post, fill in the application for a decree nisi.

You also need to fill in a statement confirming what you said in your divorce application is true. There are 5 statement forms - use the one that covers the reason you’ve given for your divorce.

Attach a copy of your husband’s or wife’s response to the divorce application.

After you apply

The court will review your application for a conditional order or decree nisi. This may take several weeks. If the judge agrees, the court will send you and your husband or wife a certificate.

The certificate will tell you the time and date you’ll be granted a conditional order or decree nisi. You will still be married after it has been granted.

You need to wait at least 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) after it’s been granted before you can apply to finalise the divorce and end the marriage.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Get a divorce: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get support and advice

    You can get support or counselling to help you through the divorce process.

    1. Get support and advice from Relate
    2. Find a counsellor on Counselling Directory

  2. Step 2 Check if you can get divorced

    1. Check if you can get a divorce
    2. Get legal advice if you want help with the divorce process

  3. Step 3 Make arrangements for children, money and property

    1. Make arrangements for your children
    2. Divide your money and property
    3. Check if your divorce will affect whether you can live in your current home

  4. Step 4 Apply for a divorce

    1. Apply for a divorce online or by post £593
    2. Get help with court fees
    3. Get legal advice
    4. Get help if your husband or wife cannot make decisions for themselves

  5. Step 5 Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or ‘decree nisi’

    1. You are currently viewing: Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or 'decree nisi'

  6. Step 6 Finalise your divorce

    1. Apply for a ‘final order’ or 'decree absolute'

  7. Step 7 Report that your circumstances have changed

    You also have to tell other government organisations that you're getting divorced if: