Since April 2022, England & Wales has had a no-fault divorce system. You (or you and your spouse together) simply have to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably - you don't have to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or separation.
The five steps
- Confirm you're eligible (married for over 12 months, and one of you is habitually resident or domiciled in England & Wales).
- Apply online - either as a sole or joint application. The court fee is £593.
- Wait 20 weeks from the date the application is issued (a statutory reflection period).
- Apply for the Conditional Order.
- Wait a further 6 weeks and 1 day, then apply for the Final Order.
Sole vs joint application
A joint application is usually smoother if you're on speaking terms - you both progress the case together. A sole application puts one person in control of the timetable. Either way, the legal outcome is identical.
Realistic timescales
- Application to Conditional Order: ~20 - 24 weeks (dominated by the statutory wait).
- Conditional Order to Final Order: minimum 6 weeks and 1 day.
- End-to-end for a straightforward case: around 7 - 8 months.
This article is general information about the law of England and Wales, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a solicitor.