Get a divorce

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What happens after you apply

What happens after you apply depends whether you applied for a divorce jointly with your husband or wife, or on your own.

If you applied jointly with your husband or wife

Your application will be checked. If it’s correct, you’ll both be sent:

  • a notice that your application has been issued (sent out)
  • a copy of your application stamped by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
  • an ‘acknowledge receipt’
  • a case number

You need to wait 20 weeks after your divorce application has been issued by the court. After this time you and your husband or wife can continue with the divorce by applying for a conditional order.

If you applied as a sole applicant

Your application will be checked. If it’s correct, you’ll be sent:

  • a notice that your application has been issued (sent out)
  • a copy of your application stamped by HMCTS
  • a case number

The court will send your husband or wife the divorce application and an ‘acknowledgement of service’ notification.

Your husband or wife must respond to the acknowledgement of service notification within 14 days saying whether they:

  • agree with the divorce
  • intend to dispute the divorce

If they agree with the divorce

You can continue with the divorce by applying for a conditional order (or a decree nisi if the court issued your divorce application before 6 April 2022). You’ll need to wait 20 weeks after your divorce application has been issued by the court before you can apply.

If they dispute the divorce

Your husband or wife will have to complete an ‘answer form’ to say why they disagree with the divorce.

Your husband or wife must have a genuine legal reason to dispute the divorce. They cannot dispute the divorce simply because they do not want a divorce or to delay the process. You may have to go to court to discuss the case.

If they do not submit an answer form, you can continue the divorce by applying for a conditional order (or a decree nisi if the court issued your divorce application before 6 April 2022).

If your husband or wife does not respond to the divorce

You should contact your husband or wife and ask them to respond, if it is safe for you to do so. They can still respond after the deadline.

If they still do not respond, the court will contact you and tell you what you can do.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Get a divorce: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get support and advice

    You can get support or counselling to help you through the divorce process.

    1. Get support and advice from Relate
    2. Find a counsellor on Counselling Directory

  2. Step 2 Check if you can get divorced

    1. Check if you can get a divorce
    2. Get legal advice if you want help with the divorce process

  3. Step 3 Make arrangements for children, money and property

    1. Make arrangements for your children
    2. Divide your money and property
    3. Check if your divorce will affect whether you can live in your current home

  4. Step 4 Apply for a divorce

    1. Apply for a divorce online or by post £593
    2. Get help with court fees
    3. Get legal advice
    4. Get help if your husband or wife cannot make decisions for themselves

  5. Step 5 Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or ‘decree nisi’

    1. Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or 'decree nisi'

  6. Step 6 Finalise your divorce

    1. Apply for a ‘final order’ or 'decree absolute'

  7. Step 7 Report that your circumstances have changed

    You also have to tell other government organisations that you're getting divorced if: