When people ask how long a divorce takes, they usually mean: how long until this is over? The honest answer has two parts. There's the legal timetable, which is fixed. And there's real life, which almost always takes longer.
The legal timetable
Since no-fault divorce came in on 6 April 2022, every divorce in England and Wales follows the same steps, with two compulsory waiting periods built in.
| Stage | What happens | Minimum wait |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | You apply, alone or jointly, and the court issues your application | Day one |
| 2. Reflection period | A compulsory pause, designed to give you time to think and to start sorting out arrangements | 20 weeks |
| 3. Conditional order | The court confirms it sees no reason you can't divorce. You're still married at this point | 6 weeks and 1 day |
| 4. Final order | Your marriage legally ends | About 26 weeks in total |
Those waiting periods are set by law, so nobody can speed them up (GOV.UK). The 20-week pause was deliberately added by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 to give couples time to reflect, or to agree how they'll part.
How long it actually takes
The Ministry of Justice publishes figures every three months. In April to June 2026, the median time from application to final order was 40 weeks, and the median time to conditional order was 28 weeks (Ministry of Justice).
You may also see a much bigger number quoted: a mean average of 68 weeks. That figure is pulled up by a smaller number of cases that sit for a long time, so the median gives a better sense of what most people experience.
Most divorces don't take longer because of the court. They take longer because people sensibly wait to sort out the money before finalising.
Why divorces take longer than the minimum
Waiting for the finances
This is the big one. Many solicitors advise waiting until your financial agreement is approved by the court before applying for the final order. That's because once you're divorced, you can lose rights that depend on being married, such as certain pension benefits if your ex were to die before things are settled.
Sole applications
If you apply alone, your ex has to be formally served with the application and respond. If they ignore it, or can't be found, extra steps are needed. It's one reason joint applications are faster on average: 49 weeks compared with 60 weeks for sole applications in the latest figures.
Paperwork problems
Missing documents, details that don't match your marriage certificate, or forms filled in incorrectly can all send an application back and add weeks.
Simply not applying
Neither stage happens automatically. You have to apply for the conditional order, and then apply again for the final order. It's easy for weeks to slip by between them.
How to avoid unnecessary delays
- Apply jointly if you can. It removes the need to serve papers and, on average, is quicker.
- Use the online service. Applications made online through GOV.UK tend to have fewer errors than paper forms.
- Start on the finances during the 20 weeks. Exchange financial information and get advice while you're waiting anyway.
- Diary the dates. Note when you can apply for each order and do it promptly.
- Don't leave the final order for more than a year. If it's been over 12 months since your conditional order, you'll need to explain the delay to the court.
What to do while you wait
The reflection period can feel like limbo. It's also the best time to get organised, understand your options for the house and pensions, and look after yourself. Our guide to how divorce works, step by step walks through each stage, and our members' community is full of people who've been through exactly this wait.
Want someone to talk it through with?
Tell us what's going on and we'll introduce you to two or three vetted experts near you. It won't cost you anything.
Get matchedCommon questions
What is the quickest a divorce can be done?
About 26 weeks. The law requires a 20-week wait between the court issuing your application and you applying for the conditional order, then six weeks and one day before you can apply for the final order.
How long does a divorce take on average?
In April to June 2026, the median time from application to final order was 40 weeks, according to Ministry of Justice figures. The mean average was longer, at 68 weeks, because a small number of very long cases pull it up.
Is a joint divorce quicker?
On average, yes. In April to June 2026, joint applications took an average of 49 weeks to reach final order, compared with 60 weeks for sole applications.
What happens if I wait more than a year to apply for the final order?
You can still apply, but if it's been more than 12 months since your conditional order you'll need to explain the delay to the court.
Sources
- Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026
- GOV.UK, Get a divorce
- legislation.gov.uk, Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020
Keep reading
This guide is general information about divorce in England and Wales, 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 1 October 2026.