Re-marriage

Unfortunately, statistics now show that over one third of modern marriages end in divorce, and nearly half of all wedding ceremonies now include either one or both partners who are marrying for a second time.

But looking on the bright side, these statistics also mean that not only do 2 in 3 marriages NOT end in divorce, it also means that those who DO get divorced don't seem to be disillusioned with married life, and are willing to give marriage another try with someone else.

Civil law allows a person to re-marry if they have been widowed or if a previous marriage has ended in divorce. If either the bride or groom has been married previously, they must produce documentary proof of their legal ability to re-marry to the superintendent registrar: a death certificate where the original partner has died, and the decree absolute where they have been divorced.

In England and Wales a decree nisi pronounces the divorce, but neither party is free to re-marry until a decree absolute has been obtained. This is obtainable on application by the successful petitioner, six weeks and one day after the decree nisi. The law of England and Wales recognises divorced people as free to marry so long as they can produce a decree absolute. Having produced that document, a re-marriage via a civil ceremony is conducted on exactly the same conditions as those applying to a first marriage.

In Scotland there is no such thing as a preliminary pronouncement. Once the decree of divorce is pronounced (so long as there is no appeal) divorced persons are free to take immediate steps towards re-marriage.

To find out about the different religious views on re-marriage after divorce, select from the menu below:

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