Get a divorce

Skip to contents of guide

Finalise your divorce

To end your marriage you must apply for either:

  • a final order
  • a decree absolute - if the court issued your divorce application before 6 April 2022

You need to wait at least 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) after the date of the conditional order or decree nisi before you can apply to end your marriage.

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

Apply within 12 months of getting the conditional order or decree nisi - otherwise you will have to explain the delay to the court.

How to apply

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

If you want a legally binding arrangement for dividing money and property you must apply to the court for this before you apply for a final order or decree absolute.

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

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

To apply by post, fill in an application for a final order.

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 absolute online.

To apply by post, fill in an application for a decree absolute.

After you apply

The court will check that:

  • time limits have been met
  • there are no other reasons not to grant the divorce

The court will send both of you copies of the final order or decree absolute.

If a solicitor is acting for you, the final order or decree absolute will be sent to them. You’ll need to ask them for a copy.

Once you get the final order or decree absolute, you are divorced, no longer married and free to marry again if you wish.

Keep the final order or decree absolute safe - you will need to show it if you remarry or to prove your marital status.

If you lose your final order or decree absolute, you can apply to the court for a copy.

If you applied as a sole applicant and you do not apply to finalise the divorce

Your husband or wife can apply if you do not. They’ll have to wait an extra 3 months to do this, on top of the standard 43 days.

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. Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or 'decree nisi'

  6. Step 6 Finalise your divorce

    1. You are currently viewing: 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: