Divorce in the UK: The Complete Guide for 2025
If you’re thinking about divorce, this guide explains the process step by step, how long it takes, how much it costs, and what happens with children, money and your home. It covers England and Wales in detail, with quick notes for Scotland and Northern Ireland.Quick answer: time, cost and stages
- Minimum time: about 26 weeks from the court issuing your application to the final order — 20 weeks to the conditional order, then 6 weeks and 1 day to the final order. Actual cases can take longer if there are delays or disputes.
- Court fee (England & Wales): £612 to apply for a divorce. You may be able to get help with fees if you are on a low income or certain benefits.
- Stages: Application → 20-week period → Conditional order → 6 weeks and 1 day → Final order.
- No-fault divorce: Since April 2022, you do not need to give reasons or blame. You only state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
Who can get a divorce
You can apply to divorce in England and Wales if your marriage is legally recognised and you meet the court’s connection rules (for example, domicile or habitual residence). The legal ground is simply that the marriage has broken down irretrievably — you do not need to prove fault.You can apply jointly with your spouse or make a sole application. Civil partners use the same process (called dissolution), with the same fees and timelines.How to apply (online or by post)
Online
The fastest route is to apply online through the official GOV.UK divorce service. You’ll need both full names and addresses, your marriage certificate (or certified copy; translation if not in English), and a debit or credit card for the fee.By post
Complete form D8 and post it to the HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution Service. You can pay by card (HMCTS will contact you) or by cheque.Documents you need
- Marriage certificate or certified copy (plus translation if needed)
- Any deed poll or evidence of a name change
- Email and postal address for your spouse (helps the court serve papers)
Timeline and what happens when
- Application submitted (joint or sole). The court checks your papers and issues your case.
- Service and acknowledgement. In a sole application, the court serves your spouse. They have 14 days to acknowledge (agree or say they’ll dispute). They cannot block a divorce without a narrow legal reason (for example, jurisdiction).
- The 20-week period. From issue, there is a mandatory reflection period before you can ask for the conditional order. Use this time to sort out children, housing and money.
- Conditional order. The court confirms you can divorce (this replaced “decree nisi”).
- 6 weeks and 1 day. You must wait at least this long after the conditional order before applying for the final order (this replaced “decree absolute”).
- Final order. Your marriage is legally ended. Keep the order safe for future proof.
Children and parenting arrangements
You do not need to go to court to agree child arrangements. Most parents can agree where children live and how they spend time with each parent. If you can’t agree, the court can decide, but you’ll usually need to consider mediation first (see MIAM below).How to agree
- Focus on what is safe and best for the child
- Write a parenting plan; keep it practical (times, handovers, school holidays)
- Use mediation or a family mediator if talks stall
If you need a court order
You can apply for a child arrangements order if you cannot agree. A MIAM is usually required unless an exemption applies (for example, domestic abuse or urgency).Money, property and pensions
Divorce ends your marriage, but it does not automatically settle your finances. You can agree a settlement and ask the court to approve it as a consent order. If you cannot agree, either of you can apply for a financial order and the court will decide. Applications attract separate fees.What can be included
- The family home and other property (sale, transfer, or staying put)
- Savings, investments and debts
- Pensions (often a large asset — consider pension sharing)
- Spousal maintenance (where appropriate)
- Child maintenance (usually via the Child Maintenance Service or agreement)
Types of financial orders
- Consent order (by agreement) — court fee currently £60 for a financial order by consent.
- Financial order (contested) — application fee currently £313.
- Clean break — can end future claims if fair and approved by the court.
- Pension sharing — splits pension assets under a formal order.
Fees, help with fees and legal aid
Core fees (England & Wales)
- Divorce application: £612
- Financial order by consent: £60
- Financial order (contested): £313
- Children Act applications (e.g. child arrangements order): £263
Help with fees (EX160)
If you’re on a low income or certain benefits, you may get a full or partial fee remission. Apply online or with form EX160. The government guidance and forms explain eligibility and evidence.Legal aid
Legal aid is available in limited situations, mainly where there is evidence of domestic abuse or child protection issues, or for mediation for those eligible. Check your eligibility on GOV.UK or speak to a provider.Mediation, MIAM and when you do not have to attend
Before most children or financial applications, you must usually attend a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) to learn about non-court options. In 2024, the rules were strengthened. There are exemptions (for example, domestic abuse or urgency). Evidence may be required if you claim an exemption.Note: Mediation is voluntary. The court expects you to consider it where safe and suitable.Joint vs sole applications, disputes and non-response
Joint applications
Both of you apply and progress the case together. This can reduce stress and admin. Either party can switch to a sole application later to move to the final order.Sole applications
The court serves your spouse. They have 14 days to acknowledge. They can only dispute the divorce on limited legal grounds (for example, the court has no jurisdiction).If your spouse does not respond
Contact them if safe. The court can tell you the next steps, which may include alternative service or proceeding without a response after deadlines.Your home, bills, name changes and practical admin
- Home rights: Do not move out or change ownership without advice. Check mortgage and tenancy terms. Consider “home rights” registration if you do not own the home.
- Bills and accounts: Update utility accounts, council tax, insurance and any joint banking safely.
- Wills and pensions: Update beneficiaries, make a new will, and review pension nominations after the final order.
- Name: You can use a former name at any time; organisations may ask for the final order and your marriage certificate, or a deed poll.
Safety and domestic abuse
If you are at risk, get help. Courts can grant non-molestation and occupation orders (no application fee). Legal aid may be available where there is evidence of abuse. Find out more on GOV.UK or contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247).Scotland and Northern Ireland: key differences
Scotland
Scotland has different rules and forms. Many couples use the Simplified (DIY) procedure where there are no children under 16 and finances are sorted. Otherwise, use the Ordinary procedure. Forms and fees differ depending on whether you apply in the sheriff court or Court of Session. See the Scottish Courts guidance and mygov.scot overview.Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland uses a petition-based process with different rules, forms and fees. See nidirect divorce guidance and the Department of Justice (NI) pages for more detail.FAQs
How long does a divorce take?
The legal minimum for England and Wales is about 26 weeks (20 weeks to conditional order, plus 6 weeks and 1 day to final order). Sorting out money, property and parenting can take longer.How much does a divorce cost?
The court fee to apply is £612. You may pay other fees for financial or children applications. You might get help with fees if you’re on a low income or certain benefits. Legal fees vary by case.Do I need to give a reason or prove fault?
No. Since April 2022, you only state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.Do I have to go to court?
Most people do not attend a hearing for the divorce itself. You may need hearings if there is a dispute about children or money.What if my spouse won’t “give me a divorce”?
They cannot stop a no-fault divorce simply by refusing. They can only dispute on narrow legal grounds (for example, jurisdiction). The court can still progress your case.When should I finalise the divorce if we’re still negotiating money?
Usually after agreeing a financial settlement and, where appropriate, getting a consent order approved. You risk losing certain rights if you finalise first without a financial order.Can we apply together?
Yes. You can make a joint application and later switch to sole for the final order if needed.What about pensions?
Pensions can be shared by court order. This is often one of the most valuable assets. Get advice before agreeing.Is mediation compulsory?
You must usually consider mediation by attending a MIAM before certain court applications (unless exempt). The duty to attend was strengthened in 2024. Mediation itself is voluntary.Can I get help with the fee?
Yes, apply for Help with Fees (EX160) online or by post. You may need to provide evidence of income or benefits.Next steps (checklist)
- Decide joint or sole application.
- Gather documents: marriage certificate (and translation if needed), addresses, name-change proof.
- Apply online (fastest) or by post (form D8).
- Use the 20-week period to sort children and money; try mediation where safe.
- Apply for the conditional order at 20 weeks.
- Agree and submit a consent order for finances (or apply for a financial order) before the final order.
- Apply for the final order 6 weeks and 1 day later.
- Update wills, pensions, and official records after the final order.