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What do marriage certificates, insurance documents and pretty much every single piece of paperwork we only require in very specific circumstances have in common? They’re never where we think we’ve left them! No wonder “how can I get a divorce without my marriage certificate?” is one of the most common questions we get asked here at Quickie Divorce. As panic-inducing as being unable to find paperwork can be, you can relax; there is a solution – and, if you were married in the UK, it’s a simple one. To obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you simply need to visit https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate, register, pay a fee of £9.25 and enter the relevant details. You’ll then be sent a certified copy of your marriage certificate through the post which you can then use to file for a divorce. If you were married outside of the UK, the process is a bit more complicated. You’ll need to get in touch with the registrar or local equivalent within the relevant country and request that they provide you with a certified copy of the document. If you’re unsure of who you’ll need to contact (in our experience, most people are) then it’s a good idea to contact the relevant country’s UK embassy as they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Once you’ve determined which organisation you’ll need to contact, the process that you’ll need to follow will differ from country to country. You may even be required to provide proof of your marriage such as letters addressed to you and your spouse or even photographs of your wedding day. In our experience, some of the procedures utilised are extremely simple and others highly convoluted. Alternatively, if you used a tour operator or wedding planner, then they should be your first point of contact. They are likely to be familiar with the local procedures and will almost certainly be able to help you obtain a copy of your marriage certificate from the relevant authority. Should you be unable to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate, don’t panic, you may still be able to proceed with your divorce by asking the court to allow your divorce to go ahead without the certificate. This can be a cumbersome process, though, and, should you find yourself in this situation, we’d recommend you get legal advice. Got another question about divorce? Get in touch with Quickie Divorce here.