How to Get a Divorce in England and Wales

If you are married and living in England or Wales, it’s possible to get a divorce. However, you must meet the following criteria:

• • Your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK


• • You’ve been married for over a year


• • You are a UK resident

Additionally, you must prove that your marriage has broken down permanently and cannot be saved by referring to at least one or more of the following reasons:

• • Adultery: if your partner has had sexual intercourse with someone else, you can file for divorce. Yet, you cannot use this as a reason if you have lived together for 6 months after you found out about it.


• • Desertion: your partner must have left you for at least 2 years before you apply.


• • Unreasonable behaviour, such as:


• - Physical violence


• - Verbal abuse (insults or threats)


• - Drunkenness or drug-taking


• - Refusing to pay towards shared living expenses


• • You’ve been separated for at least 2 years (and you have your partner’s written consent)


• • You’ve been separated for at least 5 years (you don’t need your partner’s consent)

If you meet the conditions mentioned above, you can apply for a divorce. You will require:

• • Your husband or wife’s full name and address


• • Your original marriage certificate or a certified copy (and a certified translation if it’s not in English)


• • Proof of your name change if you’ve changed it since you got married

Once you’ve gathered the necessary documents/information, you can choose to apply:

• • Online.


• • By post: you’ll need to download and fill in a divorce application form D8 (also known as ‘divorce petition’). You must then send 3 copies of the form to your nearest divorce centre, or 4 if you named someone your partner committed adultery with. They’ll send one copy to your husband or wife. Keep your own copy of the forms. You can download the form here.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER APPLYING?

• • A notice that your application has been issued (sent out)


• • A copy of your application stamped by the divorce centre


• • A case number

The court will then send your spouse the divorce application and an ‘acknowledgment of service’ form. Your husband or wife will have to respond to your request for divorce within 8 days. They can either a) agree b) intend to prevent the divorce/defend it c) object to paying the costs (if you’ve claimed them)

If your spouse has agreed to the divorce, you can apply for a decree nisi, a document which states that the court sees no reason why you cannot divorce and which you can obtain here.

In case your spouse wants to defend the divorce, they must send a completed ‘answer divorce’ form to explain why they disagree with it. They must do it within 28 days of receiving the divorce application. If they fail to do this, you'll be able to apply for a decree nisi anyway, but you may have to attend a court hearing to discuss the case.

If the judge agrees to your request, the court will send a certificate to both parties which states when the decree nisi will be granted. The decree nisi cannot be used as proof of your divorce, but as a step towards obtaining the decree absolute, which is what will actually end your marriage.

You’ll have to wait 43 days after the decree nisi to apply for the decree absolute. You will then be able to request it here. Once you get the decree absolute, you’ll be legally divorced and free to marry again.

Processing times depend on whether you applied online or by post. It may take up to 10 days if you did it online and up to 1 month if you applied by post.

Regardless of how you choose to apply, you will have to pay a £550 fee. You can pay by:

• • Credit or debit card if you apply online. You can also use this payment method if you apply by post, but you’ll require a call from the divorce centre to take payment.


• • Cheque made payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’.