Get a legal separation

 

To get a legal separation, you need to fill in a separation petition and send it to the court.

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A legal separation allows you to live apart, without divorcing or ending a civil partnership.

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Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), legal separation applications are taking longer than usual to process.

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You can ask for a legal separation for the same reasons you could file for a divorce or end a civil partnership.

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However, you do not need to show that the marriage or civil partnership has broken down irretrievably.

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You may want a legal separation if:

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• you have religious reasons against divorce

• you’ve been married or in a civil partnership for less than a year

• you want time and space to work out if you want to end the marriage or civil partnership

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Fill in a judicial separation petition - form D8.

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Send 3 copies of the petition to your nearest divorce center, and keep your own copy. You need to include a certified copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate when you send the form.

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Getting a legal separation costs £365.