A Decree Nisi is a provisional decree of divorce that the Court will grant when it is satisfied that a person has met the legal and procedural requirements needed to obtain a divorce. It is important to note that after a Decree Nisi has been granted a person is not yet ‘divorced’. The Petitioner must wait at least six weeks and one day to make their application for a Decree Absolute.
A Decree Absolute is the final decree which dissolves the marriage. The Petitioner’s solicitor applies to the court for this and there is no further requirement to attend Court. After the Decree Absolute has been granted the person is ‘divorced’.