Register of divorces (UK)
The Register of Divorces in the UK is an official record maintained by the General Register Office (GRO) documenting all decrees absolute issued by courts, confirming the legal end of a marriage. It is distinct from the court records and serves as the primary public record of divorce.
What family law covers here
This register is a centralised, searchable database of all divorces finalised in England and Wales. It is managed by the General Register Office (GRO) and contains details such as the names of the parties, the date of the decree absolute, and the court where the divorce was granted. The register is used for legal, genealogical, and administrative purposes, including verifying marital status for remarriage or immigration applications. Access to the register is restricted to specific parties, such as the individuals named or their legal representatives, with public access limited to certified copies.
Key legal requirements
- Decree absolute must be issued by a court before registration
- Details must be submitted to the GRO within one month of the decree absolute
- Only the court can certify and forward the divorce details to the GRO
- Certified copies of the register entry can be obtained for legal or personal use
- The register is not the same as the court file, which remains with the issuing court
Why this matters
The Register of Divorces is critical for verifying marital status, which can impact rights to remarry, inheritance claims, or immigration applications. Errors or omissions in the register may lead to legal disputes or complications in future legal proceedings. Additionally, unauthorised access or misuse of register data could raise privacy concerns under data protection laws.
Next step with VetroCheck
Use the Divorce Petition agent if you want a structured review of the relevant documents and supporting record.
Related reading
Compliance note
This glossary content is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute formal legal advice, does not create a solicitor-client relationship, and should be checked against current legislation, official guidance, and the facts of the specific case.
At a glance
- Definition
- The Register of Divorces in the UK is an official record maintained by the General Register Office (GRO) documenting all decrees absolute issued by courts, confirming the legal end of a marriage. It is distinct from the court records and serves as the primary public record of divorce.
- Term
- Register of divorces (UK)
- Category
- Family
- Published
- Keywords
- UK, Family, family