How does online divorce work in the UK?
Conditions for divorce eligibility
These conditions are for divorces only in England and Wales. The regulations differ for divorces occurring in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Additionally, if you wish to dissolve a civil partnership, it is necessary to submit an application to the court. The stipulated conditions are as follows: - You must have been married for a minimum duration of one year. - Your marriage must be legally acknowledged in the United Kingdom. - The marriage must have irretrievably broken down.
Application process online
A fee of £593 is required upon submission of the application to the court. If you choose to utilize the online process, a credit or debit card will be necessary for payment. If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you may qualify for assistance. You might be exempt from paying some or all of the fee, but you will need to submit an application to assess your eligibility by completing a form known as EX160. This application form can be obtained online, or you may complete an online application to receive a reference number for fee assistance. The fee is not refundable after the application is issued.
Joint or separate application
In the case of joint applications, both parties must complete all necessary documents together. Cooperation is essential throughout each stage of the process, as both parties will apply collectively. If you are filing as a sole applicant, your partner will receive a copy of the application along with instructions on how to respond. You will be informed when the paperwork has been dispatched to them.
The timeframe for their response will vary depending on whether they receive the court documents via email or postal service. They will be allotted a specific period to reply, and the court will notify you of the deadline for their response. Your partner is expected to either agree not to contest the divorce or indicate their intention to dispute it, provided they have valid grounds for doing so. Should your partner fail to respond, the court will provide guidance on the subsequent steps you need to take.
Applying for the conditional order
You will receive guidance on how to apply for a conditional order; however, you must wait for the designated date as specified by the court. An online application form will need to be completed for processing. Should you submit your application prematurely, it will be rejected. Upon review, the court will examine the divorce application, your partner's response, and the statements made in your application.
The court must be satisfied that valid grounds for divorce exist and that all submitted documents are accurate and correct. If the court finds in your favour, you will receive a notification confirming your entitlement to a divorce, along with the date on which the conditional order will be issued. It is unlikely that your presence will be required in court on this date. Subsequently, once the conditional order is granted, you will receive it along with details regarding the next steps to follow. After the conditional order is granted, you may request the court to issue a financial settlement order, as the court gains the authority to do so on or after this date. No such order can be granted prior to the issuance of the conditional order.
Applying for the final order
You will receive guidance on how to apply for a conditional order; however, you must wait for the designated date as specified by the court. An online application form will need to be completed for processing. Should you submit your application prematurely, it will be rejected. Upon review, the court will examine the divorce application, your partner's response, and the statements made in your application.
The court must be satisfied that valid grounds for divorce exist and that all submitted documents are accurate and correct. If the court finds in your favor, you will receive a notification confirming your entitlement to a divorce, along with the date on which the conditional order will be issued. It is unlikely that your presence will be required in court on this date. Subsequently, once the conditional order is granted, you will receive it along with details regarding the next steps to follow. After the conditional order is granted, you may request the court to issue a financial settlement order, as the court gains the authority to do so on or after this date. No such order can be granted prior to the issuance of the conditional order.
