If you need a copy of your Decree Absolute certificate, the official document proving your divorce in the UK, we at UK Official Certificates are here to help. We offer a secure online service where you can order official copies of Decree Absolutes issued in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Whether you’ve misplaced your Decree Absolute or require a replacement, our team is ready to assist. We conduct searches to provide an official Decree Absolute certificate confirming a divorce has taken place. If no divorce record is found, we can issue a certificate stating that as well.
If you’re unsure of the exact dates of your marriage or divorce, providing an approximate year for both will suffice. Our service extends to issuing replacement Decree Absolutes and annulment certificates.
Decree Absolute Certificate – UK Divorce Documentation
A Decree Absolute Certificate is a legal document issued by a court in England and Wales that officially ends a marriage or civil partnership. It is the final stage in the divorce or dissolution process, following the Decree Nisi (or Conditional Order under the new no-fault divorce law introduced in April 2022). Once granted, the Decree Absolute legally confirms that the parties are no longer married or in a civil partnership, and they are free to remarry or enter into a new legal union if they choose.
What is a Decree Absolute?
The Decree Absolute (also referred to simply as “the Absolute”) is the final court order that legally dissolves a marriage or civil partnership. It is the conclusive step in the divorce process, and no divorce is legally complete without it, even if all other matters (like finances and child arrangements) have been agreed upon.
It is typically applied for by the person who initiated the divorce (the applicant), although the other party (the respondent) may also apply under certain conditions if the original applicant does not do so within a specific time frame. Once the application is submitted and approved by the court, the Decree Absolute is issued as an official certificate – usually a single-page document bearing the court seal and case number.
Why Do You Need a Decree Absolute Certificate?
The Decree Absolute serves several essential purposes:
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Legal Proof of Divorce
It is the official confirmation that your marriage or civil partnership has been legally ended. Without it, you’re still legally married, regardless of how long you’ve been separated or what personal arrangements have been made. -
Right to Remarry
If you plan to remarry, registrars will require the original Decree Absolute as proof that you are legally free to do so. Without it, you cannot legally enter into another marriage or civil partnership in the UK. -
Financial and Legal Matters
Some financial and legal matters, such as pension sharing, updating wills, changing names on deeds or insurance policies, or dividing property, may require presentation of the Decree Absolute as part of the documentation process. -
Immigration or Legal Status Changes
In some immigration or visa applications, particularly where marital status is relevant, a Decree Absolute may be required as supporting documentation.
Why Would You Need to Replace a Lost Decree Absolute Certificate?
Because of its legal significance, it is important to keep the Decree Absolute Certificate safe. If it is lost, damaged, or destroyed, you may need to replace it for several reasons:
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To Remarry or Enter a New Civil Partnership
The marriage registrar must see the original or an official replacement Decree Absolute before proceeding with a new marriage or civil partnership registration. -
Legal or Financial Transactions
You may be asked to produce your Decree Absolute when buying or selling property, dealing with inheritance, or updating your will. Financial institutions, solicitors, or courts may require it for legal verification. -
Name or Status Changes
If you are changing your name back to your maiden name or making other legal changes related to your status, the Decree Absolute may be needed to support your application. -
Immigration or Citizenship Processes
Applications for visas, residency, or citizenship that involve proving marital status will often require a certified copy of your divorce decree.
How to Replace a Lost Decree Absolute
If you’ve lost your Decree Absolute, you can obtain a certified copy from the court that issued it. You’ll typically need:
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The full names of both parties at the time of divorce
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The case number (if known)
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The date of the Decree Nisi or Absolute (or an approximate date)
Get an Official UK Duplicate Decree Absolute Quickly & Easily
In the UK, a marriage is officially dissolved when the court issues a Decree Absolute, which follows a decree nisi. This document legally ends the marriage, allowing the divorced individuals to remarry. We also offer an apostille service on the Decree Absolute for international validation, useful if you’re planning to marry abroad or need to confirm your divorce status in another country.
Additionally, we provide duplicate Divorce Certificates essential for legal identity proofs such as applying for passports, bank accounts, social security, or immigration purposes. These documents can also be used to verify a change of name back to a maiden name or for family history research.
• What is the cost of a replacement Decree Absolute?
The Decree Absolute replacement cost depends on what information you are able to supply. At UK Official Certificates we have 3 options starting from £59.95 up to £169.95, the more information you have the cheaper it becomes avoiding in depth search fees.
• How long will my duplicate Decree Absolute take?
Again, depending on what you can tell us initially will impact the length of time it will take to search and find the requested record, the process can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks.
• Is using this service quicker than doing it myself?
Yes absolutely, ordering your Decree Absolute through UK Official Certificates is quicker than attempting the process alone, with over 15 years of experience we are adept at sourcing these documents swiftly to ensure the quickest turnaround possible regardless of how much or little information you have supplied.
• Are all copy Decree Absolutes suitable for legal purposes?
Any official replacement of your Decree Absolute will be ready to use for any legal purpose in the UK. If you plan to use the copy abroad you also have the option to add the UK apostille stamp to your order to extend the certification to member states of the Hague apostille convention.
• Can I order a new Decree Absolute if I don’t have all the information you ask for?
Yes, indeed you can, if you are unsure of which court handled the divorce proceedings or when the divorce was finalised we can search 5 years either side of a starting point which in most cases is ample leeway.
• Can I order someone else’s Decree Absolute?
Under current legislation in the UK you are able to order on someone else’s behalf, the more information you are able to supply will speed up the search process and also save you money in search fees.
What other services do you offer?
We offer certificates for birth, adoption, death and marriage. We don’t currently offer a civil partnership certificate service. For further information visit our home page.