How to find out if someone is divorced in the UK (2026 guide)

Discovering someone’s marital status can matter for personal, family, genealogical or legal reasons. In the UK, divorce records are not available through a free public name-search database, but limited official records can be requested through the court system. This guide explains how to find out if someone is divorced in the UK, what information is publicly available, how to check online, what it may cost, and what to do if you do not know the court or case number. If you need expert guidance or encounter complications during the process, consulting a divorce solicitor can provide support tailored to your situation.

Key Takeaway: Are divorce records public in the UK?

In England and Wales, the only public record relating to a divorce is the final order — called the decree absolute for divorces issued before 6 April 2022.

Since the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force, the terminology has changed:

• Conditional Order replaced the old Decree Nisi;
• Final Order replaced the old Decree Absolute;
• The final order usually contains basic details, such as the parties’ names, the date and place of the marriage, and the court that granted the divorce;
• Other divorce documents remain private and are not open for general public inspection;
• This limited access also helps protect personal information, including under the Data Protection Act 2018.

Read on to understand which divorce records you can request, when Form D440 is needed, what fees may apply, and why informal online searches are not enough to prove someone’s divorce status.

Can you access divorce records for free in the UK?

You usually cannot access official divorce records for free in the UK. If you already have your own paperwork, you may not need to pay for a new copy. However, if you need the court to provide a copy or carry out a search, a fee normally applies.

In England and Wales, GOV.UK explains that the fee depends on the information you already have. If you know both the court and the case number, a copy costs £11. If you do not know the case number, a search costs £65 for each 10-year period searched. If you do not know which court handled the divorce, you can use Form D440 to request a Central Index search through the Bury St Edmunds Divorce Unit. Always check the latest GOV.UK fee before applying, as court fees can change.

How to find divorce records in the UK?

The process for obtaining divorce records differs depending on the region within the UK:

England and Wales

• Divorce records from 1858 to 1937 are held at The National Archives in Kew. Many of these older records have been digitised and are searchable through Discovery, the online catalogue at nationalarchives.gov.uk.
• For records after 1937, the correct route depends on what information you already have. If you know the court and case number, you can request a copy through the court or the official GOV.UK process. If you do not know which court handled the divorce, you can use Form D440 to request a search of the Central Index through the Bury St Edmunds Divorce Unit.

Scotland

• Contact the National Records of Scotland to access divorce records.

Northern Ireland

• Contact the court where the divorce was granted (either a county court or the Royal Court of Justice in Belfast).

Can you check if someone is divorced online?

There is no free public online database where you can type in someone’s name and instantly confirm whether they are divorced in the UK.

You can start the official process online through GOV.UK, but if you do not have the court details or case number, you may need to use Form D440 and ask for an official search. You will usually need the full names of both parties and an approximate date of the divorce.

In short, you can begin the process online, but you cannot freely search private divorce records like an open public register.

What to do if you don’t know the court or case number?

If you do not know the court or case number, you can still request an official search, but the route depends on the information you have:

• If you know the court but not the case number, the court can search its own records using an approximate divorce date.
• If you do not know which court handled the divorce, you can use Form D440 to request a search of the Central Index through the Bury St Edmunds Divorce Unit.
• GOV.UK fees depend on the information you have: the cost is lower if you know the court and case number, and higher if a wider Central Index search is needed.
• If the person is deceased, you may also search Find a Will or check marriage records through the General Register Office, as a later remarriage may indicate a previous divorce.

Accessing your own divorce records

To obtain a copy of your own divorce records, you can:

1. Contact the solicitors who handled your divorce case (they typically keep records for an average of seven years after the decree absolute).
2. Follow the steps outlined on the government’s website.
3. Directly contact the court where the divorce took place (providing the case number or exact date will expedite the process).

FAQs

How long does it take to receive divorce records in the UK?

If you have the case number and contact the court directly, you can usually receive a copy of the decree absolute within a week. However, if you need to request a wider court search, the process may take longer.

How far back do divorce records go in the UK?

Centralized divorce records in the UK began in 1858 when the Matrimonial Causes Act moved divorce proceedings from ecclesiastical courts to the civil court system. Records prior to 1858 are rare and may be held in various archives or church records.

Can I obtain divorce records from another country?

The process of obtaining divorce records from another country varies depending on the specific country. You will need to contact the relevant authorities or courts in the country where the divorce took place and follow their specific procedures.

Can I check if someone is divorced without their consent?
You cannot access private divorce case documents without permission. However, you may be able to request limited public information, such as a final order or decree absolute, through the official court process where the legal requirements are met.

Accessing divorce records in the UK is usually straightforward if you have the right information, such as the court, case number or approximate divorce date. However, there is no free public register where you can instantly check whether someone is divorced. Official confirmation normally requires a court request, a copy of the final order or decree absolute, or a Form D440 search where details are missing. If the search is complex or linked to a legal issue, a divorce solicitor can help you follow the correct process.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• There is no free public database where you can search someone’s name and instantly confirm a divorce in the UK.
• In England and Wales, the main public divorce record is the final order, previously known as the decree absolute.
• Private divorce documents, including wider case files, are not open for general public inspection.
• If you know the court and case number, requesting a copy is usually simpler and cheaper.
• If you do not know the court or case number, you may need to use Form D440 and request an official search.
• Divorce record access differs across England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• A divorce solicitor is not required for a basic records request, but can help if details are missing, the case is old, or the document is needed for a legal issue.