Request a callback Contact us via WhatsApp

If you want to discuss a particular service or need help, call us on (0247) 6641642.

How To Get A Divorce In England and Wales In 2025

In England and Wales, around 9,000 applications for divorce are made each month, or well over 100,000 per year, according to the Family Court Statistics. The average time from application to Conditional order was 37 weeks in 2024 (down around 4 weeks from 2023). The average time from application to Final order was 63 days (down approximately 2 weeks from the year before). This tells us that the time to complete the divorce process is falling, however, it remains to be seen if this pattern will continue in 2025. If you are considering getting divorced, it is important to understand that the process changed considerably on 6th April 2022 following the passing of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (also referred to as no-fault divorce). Under the no-fault divorce process, there is no longer a need to cite a reason for the divorce. All that matters is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. In this article, we will explain what is involved in getting a divorce in England and Wales in 2025 and beyond.

Can I divorce?

To divorce in England and Wales, you must have been married for over a year, your relationship must have permanently broken down, and your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK. Under the no-fault divorce law process, there is no need to prove that there are other grounds for divorce, such as adultery, unreasonable behaviour, or desertion.

If you are unsure if you can legally apply to end your marriage, we recommend speaking to a divorce law Solicitor who can confirm this for you based on your personal circumstances.

How do I apply for divorce in England and Wales?

To apply for divorce in England and Wales, you will need to complete and submit the online application form on the UK government website. You don’t need the permission of your married partner to apply for divorce. The no-fault divorce allows you to apply as a joint or sole applicant. You can apply by post if you are unable to apply online. To apply, you will need to have the following information/documents:

  • The full name and address of both parties
    • Original marriage certificate or a certified copy (this will need to be translated if not in English)
    • Evidence of name change if it has changed since you got married

At the same time, you will need to pay the divorce application fee of £593.

If you applied jointly with your husband or wife, the court will send you both an official notice of application for divorce, a copy of the application, a receipt of acknowledgement, and a case reference number.

If you apply on your own for divorce, the court will send the divorce application along with an ‘acknowledgement of service’ notification to the other party. Once your husband or wife receives this notification, they must respond within 14 days, confirming whether they agree with the divorce or they intend to dispute the divorce. It is important to remember that they can only dispute the divorce application if there is an exceptional reason, such as the divorce was not valid or you are already divorced. It is not possible for a partner to dispute a divorce simply because they don’t want to get divorced. If your husband or wife does not respond, the court will advise what to do next.

Applying for a Conditional Order

The next step in the process is to apply for a Conditional Order (previously called a ‘decree nisi’). A Conditional Order is a document issued by the courts that confirms there is no legal reason that you cannot get divorced from your husband or wife.

You must wait 20 weeks from when your divorce application was received and issued by the court to apply for a Conditional Order. The purpose of this 20-week period is to give a period of time for reflection before proceeding with the final steps of the divorce. The paperwork you received from the court after you applied for divorce will explain exactly how to apply for a Conditional Order.

Once your Conditional Order application has been received, a judge will review your case. If they agree with the application, you and your husband or wife will be sent a Conditional Order certificate stating the date and time this was granted.

Applying for a Final Order

After 6 weeks and 1 day after your Conditional Order was granted, you can apply for a Final Order (previously called a ‘decree absolute’). You can apply for your Final order either as a sole or a joint applicant. If you started the process jointly, you can apply for a Final Order on your own. Again, the paperwork you initially received will explain how to apply for a Final Order. On receipt of the Final Order application, the court will check whether the time limits have been met and whether there are other reasons not to grant the divorce. If they are satisfied, the Final Order will be granted and sent to you and your ex-partner. Your marriage has now legally ended.

Final words

We hope you have found this guide to divorce in England and Wales useful. A divorce and civil partner dissolution Solicitor will guide and support you through the process from start to finish and assist with the other important aspects of separation including separation of finances and child arrangement. We understand that divorce can be a deeply unsettling and uncertain time, but with expert legal support, you can relax in the knowledge that all will be done to protect your interests and those of your children.