Get a divorce
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 your husband or wife does not respond the court will tell you what you need to do. You will not need to go to court.
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).