The whole process on average takes between 3 and 5 months
Stage 1 – Same working day once the questionnaire is completed
Stage 2 – 3 weeks depending on your Divorce Court
Stage 3 – 8 weeks depending on your Divorce Court
Complete Questionnaire, Part 1
Once you have submitted your questionnaire our staff will review your details and complete your Divorce Petition Forms.
Check and Sign D8
Once you have received your completed divorce forms, you should check them thoroughly for any discrepancies and sign them.
Post D8
You should then take or post to your local County Court the following:-
- Divorce Petition Form D8 (including 3 copies).
- Statement of Arrangements for Children Form D8a (including 2 copies), if you have children.
- Marriage certificate or duplicate of certificate (NOT a photocopy).
- Court fee of £300 (unless you are receiving benefit).
Acknowledgement of Service Letter
Within 14 days of sending your Divorce Petition you should receive an Acknowledgement of Service. This is an acknowledgement that the divorce petition has been served on the Respondent. From this point you can complete the second stage of the questionnaire using the court number issued.
Complete Questionnaire, Part 2
Once you have submitted your questionnaire our staff will review your details and complete your Service of Petition Forms.
Check and Sign D80
Once you have received your completed divorce forms, you should check them thoroughly for any discrepancies and sign them.
Post D80
Wait at least 7 days after you receive a Service of Petition before taking 1 copy of the following completed forms to Court:-
- Special Procedure Form D84 (only necessary for contested divorces)
- Form M7(a) Adultery, Form M7(b) Unreasonable Behaviour, Form M7(c) Desertion (not recommended), Form M7(d) 2 Years Separation with Consent, or Form M7(e) 5 Years Separation. Any M7 Form needs to be sworn.
- Acknowledgement of Service.
- Form D8a, signed by the Respondent (only if you have children)
Receive Decree Nisi
You should then receive a date on which your Decree Nisi will be pronounced in court. The Decree Nisi is a court order declaring that your marriage is in the process of being dissolved. You do not have to attend Court; a copy of your Decree Nisi will be posted to you.
Post D36
Six weeks and 1 day from the the date of the Decree Nisi being announced you must file the following at the Court:-
- Form D36 (application for the Decree Nisi to be finalised to a Decree Absolute)
- £30 Court Fee (unless you are receiving benefit)
Divorce Certificate
The court will send you your divorce certificate.
