Where do I go to get a copy of my decree absolute?

[zoggs]

I got divorced many years ago. I have lost the decree absolute. In fact, I wonder if I ever had it as I have no recollection of it being sent to me although I did get a letter from the solicitor saying the divorce had been finalised on such and such a date. It was a painful time and I buried my head in the sand and all the paperwork was stashed away then subsequently mislaid in various house moves. Crikey, now I'm wondering if I am actually legally divorced!

If it was less than 7 years ago your Solicitor should have details still if not I think you can get copies from the court

If your solicitor said the divorce was finalised, then you will have received a copy of your Decree Absolute. Like whoops says, some solicitors do keep a copy on file but not all do as they tend to send the original to the clients then bill them and close the file and archive it.
You will be able to obtain a copy from the County Court where the divorce was but they will charge for it, probably only a few pounds but there will be an admin charge. You will need to contact them with yours and your ex husbands full names and the approximate date the proceedings started to enable them to trace it. Don't worry, just because you can't find it doesn't mean you are not legally divorced!

Thanks. I will have to approach the court as it was 12 years ago. Was just thinking what if that last letter said you can't be divorced because of xyz and I didn't read it properly which would explain why I didn't see the decree absolute... think my imagination is getting carried away!

I do have a Consent Order which is stamped by the County Court but that is not my decree absolute, is it?

you are right, your imagination is getting carried away! If you have a sealed (stamped by the Court) Consent Order that almost certainly you will have your Decree Absolute. This is because the Court doesn't have the jurisdication to approve a Consent Order until Decree Nisi has been pronounced. You would normally therefore get the DN, then get the Consent Order sealed by the Court and then apply for Decree Absolute.
As you have found the Consent Order, this will have the case number/matter number at the top (right hand corner) so quote that to the Court office and it will make it easier for them to locate your file.

Thank you mumoverseas. In fact I telephoned the court just after my last post and quoted the reference on the Consent Order. It will cost me £5 for a copy of the decree absolute - cheque already in the post. If I had not had the reference number it would have been an extra £30 for them to rummage through their archives for me.

well done zoggs, glad you got it sorted. It just illustrates how important it is to hang on to paperwork even though you think you might not need it!