Once your divorce petition has been filed with the court, the court will send a copy of the issued petition and acknowledgment of service form to your spouse. Your spouse will have seven days to complete and return the acknowledgment of service form. Providing your spouse does not choose to defend and/or cross-petition the proceedings, when the acknowledgment of service form has been received, the application for the decree nisi can be made. It is at this stage the Judge will consider the content of your divorce petition and decide whether you are entitled to a divorce. If the Judge determines you are entitled to a divorce, they will issue the certificate of entitlement to a decree. The certificate of entitlement will state the date that the decree nisi is due to be pronounced upon. The decree nisi is the interim order for the divorce, and six weeks and one day after the pronouncement of the decree nisi, the application for the decree absolute can be made. The decree absolute will formally dissolve your marriage.