How do I get a divorce?

For people who have been married over a year and whose marriage has permanently broken down.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

You can divorce in England or Wales if you've been married over a year, the relationship has permanently broken down, and the marriage is legally recognised in the UK.

Apply online or by post; the fee is £628.
Next, apply for a conditional order, then a final order to finish.
You may get help with court fees.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Married over a year
£628 fee
Conditional then final order

Before you start

You need to decide whether to apply on your own (a sole application) or together (a joint application).

Joint: you both agree you should get a divorce, and you are not at risk of domestic abuse.
Sole: your husband or wife does not agree, or you do not think they will reply to the court.

It is a good idea to agree arrangements for any children, child maintenance, and how to split money and property first. You can usually avoid court hearings if you agree on these.

What you need

Your full name and address, and your husband or wife's full name and address. The court uses their address to send them a copy of the application. An email address is optional.
Your original marriage certificate or a certified copy, with a certified translation if it is not in English.
Proof if you have changed your name since you married, such as a deed poll.

How to apply online

Go to the online divorce service on GOV.UK.
Fill in the application and pay the £628 fee by debit or credit card.
The court issues your application. In a sole application, your husband or wife gets a copy and an "acknowledgement of service". They must reply within 14 days.
Wait 20 weeks from the date the court issued your application. Then apply for a conditional order.
Wait at least 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) after the conditional order. Then apply for a final order. This legally ends the marriage.

You are still married after the conditional order. Only the final order ends it.

Applying by post

Fill in form D8 and send it to: HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution service, PO Box 13226, Harlow, CM20 9UG. You can pay by card (HMCTS will contact you) or by cheque made payable to "HM Courts and Tribunals Service". Form D84 is the paper form for the conditional order.

How much a divorce costs

Item	Cost
Divorce application (online or post)	£628

The fee is not refunded once you are sent the notice that your application has been issued. If you get benefits or are on a low income, you may get help with fees. For a joint application, both of you must apply for help and both must be eligible.

How long it takes

It normally takes at least 7 months to get a divorce, whether you apply jointly or alone.

Deadlines to watch

Apply for the final order within 12 months of the conditional order, or you must explain the delay to the court.
If you do not apply, your husband or wife can, but they must wait an extra 3 months on top of the 43 days.
If you want a legally binding arrangement for money and property, apply to the court for it before you apply for the final order.

If your husband or wife disagrees

They must fill in an "answer form" saying why. They cannot dispute it just because they do not want a divorce or to delay things. If they do not reply in time, the court will contact you about what to do next.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

This process is for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own divorce processes.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for a divorce

Common questions

What if we've been married less than a year?

You can apply for a legal separation or annulment instead.

Source: Get a divorce

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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