It is often necessary for the applicant to send the courts the original or a certified copy of their marriage certificate to begin the divorce process. This leads many clients to ask if they will get their marriage certificate back after their divorce is complete.
The courts do not return marriage certificates following the divorce. This is because both the applicant and respondent receive a final order (previously known as the decree absolute) confirming that their marriage has legally ended. The final order serves as proof that you have been granted a divorce and that you were once married.
If you want a copy of your marriage certificate for any reason, you can contact the relevant register office. They will send you a certified copy of the certificate for a small fee. Alternatively, and perhaps easier is to get a replacement from theย General Register Office (GRO). A Certified Copy Marriage Certificate costs ยฃ14, and there is the next day option for ยฃ35.
If you got married inย Scotland, you can contact theย National Records of Scotland (NROS)ย where a copy of your certificates will cost ยฃ12.ย
In Northern Ireland, you can contact theย General Registry of Northern Ireland (GRONI)ย who charge ยฃ15 for a copy of your certificates.
