In 1873 responsibility was passed to a division of the new Supreme Court. In 1858 the handling of the legal process for divorce was transferred from the ecclesiastical courts to a newly established civil court, the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes.
A short history of divorce in England and Wales since 1858 You also have the option of paying for research ( £). To see most of the records held here you will either need to visit us or, where you can identify a document reference, order a copy ( £). See the Northern Ireland Court Service website to find a court’s contact details. For proof of a divorce in Northern Ireland, contact the court where the divorce was granted (either the Royal Courts of Justice (Belfast) or a county court). You are unlikely to find documents for any divorce since 1937 among our records.įor legal proof of your own divorce, or any divorce in England or Wales since 1858 to the present, go to the GOV.UK website for details of how to request a copy of a decree absolute.Ĭontact the National Records of Scotland for Scottish divorce records. This guide will help you to find records held at The National Archives for divorce and separation. Investigations into collusive divorces, 1875-1977
