Need a UK final order or decree absolute for remarriage, immigration or an overseas civil-status application? Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor-led document services, from assessing court-copy options or preparing a solicitor-certified true copy to our express FCDO apostille service, embassy legalisation where needed and DHL Express worldwide return.
Which document proves the divorce is final?
In England and Wales, a Final Order applies to divorce applications issued on or after 6 April 2022; a Decree Absolute applies to earlier applications. A Conditional Order or Decree Nisi does not end the marriage. Scotland uses a divorce extract, while Northern Ireland has its own decree-absolute procedure. Tell us where the divorce was granted so we can identify the correct document and route.
Option 1: obtain an official court copy
In England and Wales, a copy can be requested from the relevant court or Divorce Service Centre. The particular certified or wet-ink-sealed format needed overseas is not always obtainable. Availability depends on the case, records and issuing office. Difficult searches or special-format requests may take months; straightforward replacement copies may be quicker. We check the available route before proceeding. Provide the parties’ names, case number, court and order date, where known.
Option 2: our solicitor-certified true copy service
Our solicitor can certify a true copy after reviewing a suitable original paper order or original court PDF and its source evidence. The certification accurately describes the checks performed. This is distinct from a copy issued or certified by the court. A solicitor-certified copy must not be substituted where the recipient expressly requires a court-sealed document or notarisation.
Confirm the destination authority’s requirements first
Ask the receiving authority to confirm in writing whether it accepts a solicitor-certified copy or requires an official court copy, a particular seal or a notary. Also check the required apostille format, translation and any further legalisation. Send us the instructions before ordering so that we prepare the correct document chain.
Express FCDO apostille: 2 working days
Our express service targets completion of the FCDO apostille stage within 2 working days after we receive an eligible, submission-ready document and complete any required solicitor certification. Court retrieval, verification, translation, embassy processing and delivery are separate stages. A suitable wet-ink court-sealed document may be submitted directly. For a solicitor-certified copy, the apostille authenticates the solicitor’s signature, not the court seal on the underlying copy.
Embassy legalisation where needed
Where the Apostille Convention applies between the UK and the destination, an apostille normally replaces consular legalisation. For other destinations, we can arrange the required embassy or consular stage after the FCDO apostille. Overseas recognition or registration of the divorce is a separate process from authenticating the document.
DHL Express worldwide return
After the required stages are complete, we arrange tracked DHL Express worldwide return where the courier serves the destination. Delivery can be to you or your overseas adviser. Courier transit is separate from the apostille processing time.
Start your divorce-document application
Send the complete final order or decree absolute, the original PDF where available, supporting court correspondence, case details, destination country, recipient’s instructions and delivery address. We assess the copy route and coordinate certification, express apostille, any embassy legalisation and return through one point of contact.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use my digital final order?
Send the original court PDF and evidence of its source, not just a screenshot. Our solicitor assesses whether a true copy can be certified. Printing a PDF alone does not create a directly apostillable wet-ink court document.
Is a solicitor-certified copy the same as a court copy?
No. They have different certifiers and authentication routes. Confirm which one the destination authority accepts before requesting the document.
Does the 2-working-day service include obtaining the court copy?
No. It covers the express apostille stage once the eligible document is ready. Court retrieval, certification checks, embassy processing and courier transit are additional stages.