Civil partnership

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• Minimum timeline (uncontested): about 6–7 months (20-week reflection to Conditional Order, then at least 6 weeks to Final Order).
   
• Apply: Sole or joint application possible.
   
• When you can apply: you must have been in the partnership over 1 year to dissolve; you can seek a separation order earlier.
   
• Help with fees may be available (EX160).
   

• Ending a civil partnership (step-by-step)
   
• Children & finances (what’s separate to the dissolution)
   
• Separation orders (legal separation)
   
• Converting a civil partnership to marriage
   
• FAQs
   

You no longer need to give reasons or assign blame. You can apply together (joint) or on your own (sole). The steps mirror modern divorce.

1. Apply online or by post. Court fee £612. If applying alone, the court sends the papers to your partner. They normally have 14 days to file an Acknowledgement of Service.
    
2. 20-week reflection period. From issue of your application, there’s a mandatory 20-week wait before you can ask for a Conditional Order. You can switch a joint case to sole at this stage if needed.
    
3. Final Order. At least 6 weeks after the Conditional Order, you can apply for the Final Order which legally ends the partnership (the respondent can apply after 3 months + 6 weeks if the applicant does not).
    

Can we keep it joint? Yes, throughout — but if one partner stops engaging, the other can continue as sole.
 

Don’t know your partner’s address? You can apply for alternative or dispensed service so the case can move forward. We handle this for you.
 

• Finances aren’t automatic. To make an agreement binding and enforceable, apply for a Consent Order (usually after the Conditional Order, ideally before the Final Order).
   
• Court powers on finances for civil partners include property adjustment, lump sums, maintenance, and pension sharing.
   
• Children’s arrangements (where a child lives, time with each parent) are handled separately under the Children Act 1989; Cafcass carries out safeguarding checks and writes to the court before the first hearing if an application is made.
   

Not ready to dissolve or you’re within the first year? You can apply for a separation order (the civil partnership equivalent of judicial separation). It formalises that you’re separated but doesn’t end the partnership. Court fee: £415.

• Advice on sole vs joint and the best route for your situation
   
• Managing service problems and timetable dates
   
• Drafting Consent Orders and sorting pensions fairly
   
• Guidance on children’s arrangements and safeguarding
   
• Fixed-fee options for straightforward, uncontested cases
   

How long does it take?
For straightforward cases, expect ~6–7 months due to the 20-week reflection period and the 6-week gap to Final Order (admin time can add a little).

Do we have to agree on money and children first?
No — the dissolution can run in parallel — but you should secure finances with a Consent Order so everything is final and enforceable. 

What if my partner doesn’t reply?
We can ask the court for alternative or dispensed service or permission to proceed out of time if deadlines were missed. 

When can we apply for the Final Order?

6 weeks after the Conditional Order (the respondent can apply 3 months + 6 weeks later if the applicant doesn’t). 

Can we apply jointly?
Yes. Joint or sole applications are allowed. You can also convert a joint case to sole later if one party disengages. 

What does it cost?
Court fee £612 to dissolve; £415 for a separation order; £60 for a Consent Order. You may qualify for Help with Fees depending on income/savings.