The decree nisi does not end the marriage and is in the nature of a provisional decree. In order to be able to remarry a decree absolute has to be applied for and obtained. The delay of six weeks is compulsory and cannot be abridged. After that period of time has elapsed the Petitioner may apply for the decree to be made absolute and does so by making a request and paying the necessary fee. On receipt of these the court normally pronounces the decree absolute within a few days and sends a copy of the decree to both parties or their solicitors.
Judicial separation is slightly different in that there is only one decree rather than two.
If the Respondent is resident overseas, for example, the time for returning the Acknowledgment of Service is extended from the normal seven days to thirty. If the Respondent does not return the Acknowledgment of Service this can cause additional delay because it is necessary to prove that the Respondent has received the divorce petition before matters can proceed. It may therefore be necessary for the Petitioner to arrange to have another copy of the divorce served on the Respondent by a court bailiff or to arrange another form of personal service which can be proved. This rarely results in a defended divorce at the end of the day but it can slow matters down. This can be particularly useful if the Petitioner knows that the Respondent might not co-operate in the divorce because by the Petitioner's solicitor effecting personal service at this stage the Petitioner does not have to wait to see if the Respondent will respond to the court and then wait seven days after before taking action.