What documents do you need if you were married before?
If you have been married or in a civil partnership before, you must bring the original document proving it has legally ended: a final order (formerly decree absolute), a dissolution order, or a death certificate if your former spouse or civil partner has died. Photocopies are not accepted.
Divorce or dissolution
You need the original final order that legally ended the marriage or civil partnership, not the earlier conditional order. If you cannot find it, a copy can be requested from the court that granted it.
Death of a former spouse or civil partner
Bring the original death certificate. If it was issued abroad, it may need to be officially translated, which adds time.
Multiple previous marriages
If you have been married more than once, you need evidence that each previous marriage has ended, in the correct order, not just the most recent one.
What this means for you
- Locate or reorder these documents as soon as you set a wedding date — court copies can take weeks.
- Foreign documents may need translation before your register office will accept them.
Official sources
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
See which documents you'll need
Answer a few quick questions and we'll list the documents your circumstances actually require — including the ones that take weeks to replace.
See my documents60 seconds · Free · No account needed
Related guides
Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.