A divorce in England and Wales takes at least 26 weeks from the day the court issues the application. The law sets a 20-week wait before you can apply for the conditional order, then 6 weeks and 1 day before you can apply for the final order. The median time from application to final order is about 40 weeks.
How long does a divorce take?
The legal minimum is 26 weeks and 1 day, but most divorces take longer. In April to June 2026, the median time from application to conditional order was 28 weeks, and to final order 40 weeks, according to the Ministry of Justice (Family Court Statistics Quarterly). The median is the middle case: half took less time, half took more.
| Type of application | To conditional order | To final order |
|---|---|---|
| All divorces (headline figure) | 28 weeks | 40 weeks |
| Sole applications | 28 weeks | 41 weeks |
| Joint applications | 26 weeks | 35 weeks |
Medians from application, Ministry of Justice Family Court Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026. The headline figure is from Table 12 and includes a small number of cases started under the old law. The sole and joint figures are from Table 12b, which covers cases under the current law only, and include civil partnership dissolutions. Our family court waiting times tracker shows how these have changed quarter by quarter.
The stages and the legal waiting times
1. The application is issued
You apply online or by post. The court checks the application and, if it’s correct, issues it and sends you a notice with the date. In a sole application, your spouse then has 14 days to respond to say whether they agree or intend to dispute it (GOV.UK).
2. The conditional order
You can apply for the conditional order 20 weeks after the application is issued. The law says neither of you can confirm you want to continue before the end of that period (Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, section 1). A judge then reviews the application, which GOV.UK says may take several weeks, and the court sends you a certificate with the date and time the conditional order will be made. You’re still married at this point.
3. The final order
You can apply for the final order 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) after the conditional order is made. Once the court makes the final order, you’re divorced. You should apply within 12 months of the conditional order, or you’ll have to explain the delay to the court.
Why does a divorce take longer than the minimum?
The 26-week minimum assumes everything happens on the first possible day. In practice there are gaps between the stages:
- The judge’s review. After you apply for the conditional order, a judge has to review it before a date is set. The Ministry of Justice notes that the court reduced the number of conditional orders it listed from November 2024, which made divorces slower in early 2025.
- Waiting for the money to be agreed. GOV.UK advises applying to the court for a binding financial arrangement before you apply for the final order. Many people wait for their consent order to be approved first, particularly where pensions are involved.
- A spouse who doesn’t respond. In a sole application, your spouse has 14 days to respond. If they don’t, the court will contact you about what to do next, which adds time.
- Not applying straight away. Neither order happens automatically. You have to apply for each one.
Is a joint divorce quicker than a sole one?
On the latest figures, yes. The median for joint applications was 35 weeks from application to final order, against 41 weeks for sole applications. In a joint application there’s no need to serve papers on the other person and wait for them to respond. Either of you can still continue alone at the conditional or final order stage if the other stops taking part.
In a sole application, if you don’t apply for the final order, your spouse can, but only after an extra 3 months on top of the usual 43 days.
Can you speed up a divorce?
Not much. The law lets a court shorten the waiting periods in a particular case, but that’s rare, and you’d need a strong reason. What you can control is avoiding delays of your own: reply to court messages promptly, apply for each order on the first day you can, and start on your financial agreement early so it doesn’t hold up the final order. Our step-by-step guide to divorce covers what to do at each stage.
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Get matchedCommon questions
How long does a divorce take in the UK?
In England and Wales, at least 26 weeks from the date the application is issued. In April to June 2026, the median time from application to final order was 40 weeks. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules.
What is the 20-week wait for?
The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 says neither of you can confirm you want to continue to the conditional order until 20 weeks after the divorce starts. Many couples use the time to agree arrangements for money and children, so they’re ready when the divorce can move on.
How long after the conditional order can I apply for the final order?
You can apply 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) after the conditional order is made. Apply within 12 months, or you’ll need to explain the delay to the court.
Is a joint divorce quicker?
On the latest Ministry of Justice figures, yes. Joint applications took a median of 35 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, against 41 weeks for sole applications.
Can a divorce be done in less than 26 weeks?
Very rarely. The law allows a court to shorten the waiting periods in a particular case, but this is unusual. For almost everyone, 26 weeks and 1 day is the minimum.
Should I apply for the final order as soon as I can?
Not always. GOV.UK advises getting a legally binding financial arrangement, such as a consent order, before applying for the final order, because applying first can have financial consequences, particularly for pensions.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Get a divorce
- Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, section 1 (as amended by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020)
- Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026 (published 24 September 2026), bulletin and Tables 12 and 12b
- GOV.UK, Money and property when you divorce or separate: if you agree
Keep reading
This calculator and page are general information about divorce, not legal or financial advice. Laws, fees and figures change, so check the sources above and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.