Get a divorce
Check you can get a divorce
You can get divorced in England or Wales if all of the following are true:
- you’ve been married for over a year
- your relationship has permanently broken down
- your marriage is legally recognised in the UK (including same-sex marriage)
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
If you are ending a civil relationship, read the guide for ending a civil partnership.
If you do not want a divorce, you can get a legal separation so you can live apart without ending the marriage. You might also be able to annul the marriage. You can apply for separation or annulment during your first year of marriage.
There is a different process if you want to get a divorce in Scotland or get a divorce in Northern Ireland.