The decree absolute is the final document that you receive when you are divorced – it finalises the divorce and legally separates yourself and your now-ex-spouse.
You will need the decree absolute if you need to prove your marital status, or if you get remarried.
The decree absolute granted in divorce is something you may need later down the line if you wish to remarry. You will need the original document rather than a mere photocopy. Therefore, if you have misplaced it, you will have to go through the process of obtaining a new copy.
The Decree Absolute is the final certificate that legally dissolves the marriage, so if you have been separated for a long time and have had no contact with your ex spouse, then you may already be divorced, as a divorce can actually take place without your knowledge.
If you are considering filing your own divorce after a number of years, the court may require you to find out if a decree absolute has been issued before allowing you to proceed to file your own divorce petition.
The result of the decree absolute search will either produce confirmation that no decree absolute has been issued or a certified copy of the decree absolute will be returned.
If the decree absolute search confirms that there is a decree absolute, a certified copy will be returned to you, which will mean that there is no need for you to file for divorce.
On the other hand, if the decree absolute search returns confirmation that no decree absolute has been issued then you will need to file for divorce.
A Divorce certificate is also referred to as a Decree Absolute, Divorce Certificate, Divorce Affidavit, Legal Decree, or Divorce Absolute.
You will receive a fully certified legal copy of a Decree Absolute, suitable for official purposes.
Reasons you may require a replacement certificate are:
You have
lost
your decree absolute, or you need a
replacement,
you've been married or in a civil partnership before so you'll need evidence you're
free to remarry
or enter a
new civil partnership,
or you require an
extra copy
or even to find out whether a
friend or relative
has been divorced.
UK Document Services provide a safe and secure online ordering system for replacement certificates. All private data sent between your browser and our servers is protected using industry standard encryption protocols.
The Decree Absolute is the final legal document which dissolves the marriage. The Decree Absolute means your divorce is completed and you are no longer married to your partner. The Decree Absolute will legally end the marriage.
Certificates are ordered from the local courts or the Central Family Court. We are an independent agency and are not affiliated with any government body.
