If you do not know which court you should apply to

If you do not know which court or Divorce Service Centre handled the divorce, dissolution or annulment, you can apply to the Central Family Court to search for a copy of the final order or decree absolute. There’s a different way to apply for a copy of a decree absolute or final order if you know which court handled the divorce . How much it costs It costs £65 for each 10 year period you search. If you want to search for a longer period, you’ll need to submit another application. What you’ll get You’ll get a certificate of the search with a copy of the final order or decree absolute by post, usually within 45 days after the court gets your payment. If the court cannot find a final order or decree absolute, you’ll get a ‘no trace’ certificate instead. Before you start You’ll need to provide: your name and contact details the address you need the copy of the final order or decree absolute to be sent to the name of the person who applied for divorce, annulment or dissolution the name of the person who responded to the application the search start and end dates The search will be quicker if you can provide: the date of the marriage the date the divorce, annulment or dissolution application was filed the date and the court in which the conditional order or decree nisi was granted the date the final order or decree absolute was granted Apply online Use the online service to apply for a search. Apply online After you apply You must pay for the search after you’ve made your application. You’ll be told how to pay. Your search will not be completed until you’ve paid. Other ways to apply Fill in form D440 and send it to the address on the form. Pay by cheque or postal order Make the cheque or postal order payable to ‘HM Courts & Tribunals Service’ and send it to the service centre or court. Pay by credit or debit card You’ll be told how to pay after you apply. Your search will not be completed until you’ve paid. Central Family Court cfc.decreeabsolute@justice.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 123 5577 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm Find out about call charges

Get a copy of a final order or decree absolute

Overview

You get a final order or decree absolute when you end a marriage or civil partnership in England or Wales. You’ll need it if you remarry or have to prove your marital status.

If you’ve lost your original final order or decree absolute, you can apply for a copy.

How you apply depends on:

what you know about your final order or decree absolute
if you know which court handled your divorce, annulment or dissolution

Check which court you should apply to and what you’ll need.

If you do not know which court handled the divorce, annulment or dissolution, you can apply to the Central Family Court to search for a copy of the final order or decree absolute.

If your marriage or civil partnership ended in Scotland or Northern Ireland

There’s a different way to get proof your marriage or civil partnership has ended. Find out how to:

get a copy of your divorce certificate or ‘extract’ in Scotland
get a copy of your decree absolute or final conditional order in Northern Ireland

View a printable version of the whole guide

Get a copy of a final order or decree absolute

Overview

If your marriage or civil partnership ended in Scotland or Northern Ireland

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Get a copy of a final order or decree absolute

Overview

If your marriage or civil partnership ended in Scotland or Northern Ireland

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