The Final Order

Once any financial agreements have been made into Orders of the Court, and at least 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) after the Conditional Order is made, you can apply for a Final Order which then ends your marriage. This has important repercussions in particular for tax and pensions, which is why it is so important to have final Court Orders in relation to your finances before this step is taken.

You should apply for a Final Order within 12 months of the Conditional Order, otherwise you will have to explain the delay to the court.

After you apply the court will check that time limits have been met and there are no other reasons not to grant the divorce, and will then send both of you copies of the Final Order.

Once you get the Final Order, you are divorced, no longer married and free to marry again if you wish. You should keep the Final Order safe – you will need to show it if you remarry or to prove your marital status. If you lose your Final Order, you can apply to the court for a copy.