Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute) Copies
Do you need a certified copy of a Divorce Certificate?
Also referred to as a Decree Absolute, Divorce Affidavit, Legal Decree, or Divorce Absolute, you will receive a fully certified legal copy of your divorce certificate suitable for official purposes.
Ordering is quick, easy and secure.
Replacement Divorce Certificates are available to order from the following dates:
- England & Wales from 1858
- Scotland from 1984
- Northern Ireland from 1940
UK Divorce Certificates (Decree Absolutes)
A Decree Absolute is the official document that completes a divorce and legally ends a marriage.
A Decree Absolute is issued at least 6 weeks and 1 day after the Decree Nisi, finalising the divorce and legally ending the marriage.
It’s common for the Decree Absolute to be filed away and forgotten once the divorce is finalised. The court does not always remind you that this important document should be kept safe, as it may be required if you remarry or when applying for your pension. No matter why you need it, UK Document Services can help you obtain a copy.
- Proving that the marriage has dissolved
- Proving your marital status has changed
- Applying for your pension
- Updating identification documents, for example, passport, driving licence, bank and pension records, HMRC or DWP records
- Finalising financial settlements after divorce
- Transferring or selling jointly owned property
- Updating pension providers or insurance policies.
- Closing joint accounts or dividing investments.
- Applying for maintenance or child support adjustments.
- Remarrying or entering a civil partnership.
- Updating wills or inheritance arrangements.
- Claiming or renouncing spousal benefits or pension entitlements.
- Dealing with tax matters.
Our Copy Divorce (Decree Absolute) Certificates FAQs
Is it an official Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute) copy?
All Divorce Certificates are legal copies, suitable for official purposes.
Can this Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute) copy be used for legal purposes?
Yes. All Decree Absolute copy certificates are suitable for official purposes, such as providing evidence that you are no longer married, enabling you to re-marry or to legally change your name on important documents.
What is on a Copy Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute)?
A Divorce Certificate normally contains the following:
- Court name
- Case matter number
- Petitioner name
- Respondent name
- Divorce decree date
- Marriage date
- Place of marriage
- Married parties
- Decree absolute date
- Issue date
- Signatory
How long do Divorce Certificate copies take?
Despatch within 20 working days.
How much is a replacement Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute)?
The cost is £98.
What postage options do you offer?
We offer 1st Class Postage, Signed For Service, International Tracked Service and Worldwide Courier Service for all our services.
Can I get a scanned copy of my Divorce Certificate (Decree Absolute)?
Yes, we offer a scan and send service, you can add this to your Divorce Certificate order.
Can I order without knowing the full details of the divorce?
Yes, if you do not know all the details for your Decree Absolute, this is not a problem. We will do our best with the information you have to locate the record and will confirm the details with you if we are unsure.
Can I amend my order?
Yes, you are able to amend or cancel your order as long as your order has not already been processed.
I require an Apostille on the Divorce Certificate, can you help?
Yes. If you require an Apostille on a Divorce certificate you can simply add this to your Divorce Certificate order. An Apostille ensures your documents are recognised worldwide by all members of the Hague Convention.
I’ve been asked to provide an Article 39 Certificate and Decree Absolute in an EU country – what do I need to do?
- To request a D180 form (Article 39 certificate), complete the Divorce Order Form on our website and select the option: “Are you registering a UK divorce in an EU country? If so, an Article 39 Certificate / D180 Form may also be needed.”
- Once we receive your request, we will ask for the necessary details, such as the case number, the names of both parties, and the date the divorce was finalised. We will guide you step by step through completing the D180 before submitting it to the relevant court.
- A judge or court officer will then review, sign, and seal (stamp) both the D180 form and the Decree Absolute.
- Finally, we will send the certified D180 and Decree Absolute to you using your preferred delivery method.
Who are UK Document Services?
We are an independent organisation who offer an online service for obtaining copy Divorce Certificates (Decree Absolutes), as well as replacement Birth Certificates, Marriage and Death Certificates. Divorce Certificates are ordered from local courts and the Central Family Court.
We are not affiliated with the GRO, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) or any government body.
Worldwide Postage Options – 1st Class Postage, Signed For, International Tracked & Worldwide Courier
We Despatch Globally – We can help customers from the UK, Europe and Worldwide locations
Scan & Send Available – We offer a scan and send service
Amend Your Order – You have the ability to amend and/or cancel your order if it has not already been processed
Payment Options – We accept payments using Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, UnionPay and PayPal