Divorce in England and Wales

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You can obtain a divorce in England or Wales if you have been married at least one year and your relationship has permanently broken down.

Getting a divorce is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must have a marriage that is legally recognised in the United Kingdom. You must also have a permanent home in England or Wales.

There are 3 main steps to getting divorced:
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1. File a divorce petition. You have to apply to the court for authorization to divorce, and show the reasons why you want the marriage to come to an end.
2. Apply for a decree nisi. If your spouse agrees to the petition, you will be presented with a document stating that you can apply for a decree nisi.
3. Apply for a decree absolute. This legally ends your marriage. You need to wait at least 6 weeks after the date of the decree nisi before you can apply. You can only remarry when you are in possession of the decree absolute.

For further information regarding I divorce in the United Kingdom visit: https://www.gov.uk/divorce/file-for-divorce