Simplified Divorce Scotland
Simplified divorce is the lower-admin Scottish route for eligible cases with no children of the marriage under 16 and no financial matters left to sort out. You can apply yourself, or use our fixed-fee Simplified Divorce Scotland service if you want the application prepared with clearer guidance and fewer admin risks.
Divorces.co.uk is an information website and is not a law firm. This page explains the Scottish simplified divorce route and our planned fixed-fee admin support for suitable applications. It is not legal advice.
Jump to the part you need.
Simplified divorce can be a DIY court application, but only if the case is suitable. Use this guide to check the route, understand the steps, compare costs and decide whether fixed-fee support would help.
For eligible Scottish cases with no children of the marriage under 16 and no financial matters left to resolve.
The Scottish Courts provide forms and guidance. The main risk is using the route when the case is not actually suitable.
If a house, pension, savings, debt or maintenance issue still needs sorting, simplified divorce is usually not the right route.
What simplified divorce is, and what it is not.
Simplified divorce in Scotland is a court procedure for straightforward cases. It is useful when the marriage or civil partnership has clearly broken down and there is nothing for the court to decide about children under 16 or finances.
It is not a shortcut for cases where money has not been sorted. If there is property, pensions, savings, debts, maintenance or a separation agreement still to deal with, you should pause before using the simplified route.
If your case fits, you can complete the Scottish court forms yourself. If you want the admin handled, our fixed-fee Simplified Divorce Scotland service is designed to prepare the application and guide the signing and lodging steps for you.
Who can usually use simplified divorce in Scotland?
You need to meet the court requirements. The simplified route is not just about both people wanting a divorce.
This route may fit if...
Do not use it without checking if...
The simplified route can be useful, but the eligibility checks matter. If the wrong route is used, the application may be rejected or you may miss something important, especially around finances.
How simplified divorce works if you do it yourself.
This is the practical route for someone handling the Scottish simplified divorce application themselves. The exact forms depend on the court and the ground you rely on.
Check the correct ground
Most simplified applications are based on one year separation with consent or two years separation without consent.
Check children and finances
Make sure there are no children under 16 and no financial matters left to resolve. If there are, simplified divorce may not be suitable.
Choose the correct forms
Use the Scottish court forms and guidance for the sheriff court or Court of Session route that applies to your case.
Complete the application
You complete the application with the marriage or civil partnership details, addresses, separation information and court details.
Swear the affidavit
The affidavit must be sworn before a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.
Lodge with the court
The completed application, supporting documents and court fee are lodged with the correct Scottish court.
Service or intimation if needed
The court may contact you if service by a sheriff officer is required or if further information is needed.
Court considers the papers
If the court is satisfied and there is no issue preventing the divorce, the application can proceed.
Extract decree is issued
If granted, the divorce certificate is issued as an extract decree of divorce.
Where simplified divorce can go wrong.
The simplified route is not risky because it is simple. It becomes risky when people use it for a case that is not truly simple.
| Issue | Why it matters | Safer next step |
|---|---|---|
| Finances are not fully resolvedHouse, pensions, savings, debts or maintenance. | In Scotland, financial provision should usually be dealt with before divorce is granted. | Get advice about a separation agreement, financial provision or ordinary divorce before applying. |
| Children under 16Children of the marriage or civil partnership. | Simplified divorce is not normally available where there are children under 16. | Check ordinary divorce instead. |
| Consent is needed but not availableOne year separation route. | If relying on one year separation, consent is usually needed. | Check whether the two-year route or ordinary procedure is more suitable. |
| Jurisdiction is unclearOne person lives abroad or has moved recently. | The Scottish court needs the correct residence or domicile basis. | Check jurisdiction before completing court forms. |
| Capacity or vulnerability concernsThe other person may not understand or consent properly. | The simplified route may not be suitable where capacity is an issue. | Get legal advice before relying on consent or DIY forms. |
Do you need a Minute of Agreement before simplified divorce?
To use simplified divorce in Scotland, there should usually be no financial matters left to sort out. If you still need to agree what happens to a house, pension, savings, debts, maintenance or other money issues, simplified divorce may not be the right next step yet.
In many Scottish separations, agreed financial terms are recorded in a Minute of Agreement. This is separate from the divorce itself. The Minute of Agreement deals with the financial settlement; the divorce ends the marriage or civil partnership.
If there are assets, debts or support issues, check whether a Minute of Agreement or solicitor advice is needed before lodging a simplified divorce application.
Fixed-Fee Simplified Divorce Scotland Service
You can apply yourself using the Scottish court forms. Our fixed-fee service is for people who appear eligible but do not want to handle the form, affidavit guidance and application pack alone.
Less form confusion. Clearer next steps.
Simplified divorce is designed to be a lower-admin route. Fixed-fee support is useful when you want the route checked, the application prepared clearly and avoidable mistakes reduced before the papers are lodged.
Eligibility review
We check the core Scottish simplified divorce conditions before preparing anything.
Application preparation
We prepare the simplified divorce application from your information.
Affidavit guidance
We explain the signing step so you know what must be sworn and who can witness it.
Court pack support
We help you prepare the documents for lodging with the correct court.
Consent check
If the one-year separation route is used, we flag the need for consent before you rely on it.
Route warning
We tell you if the answers suggest simplified divorce may not be the right route.
Simplified divorce costs in Scotland.
You can apply yourself and only pay the required court and related fees, or use a fixed-fee managed service if you want help with the application.
| Cost | What it covers | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY simplified divorceYou complete the court forms yourself. | The lowest-admin route if you are comfortable completing and lodging the application yourself. | Court fee only | You are responsible for choosing the right form, completing it correctly and checking eligibility. |
| Fixed-Fee Simplified Divorce Scotland ServiceDivorces.co.uk managed admin option. | Application preparation and admin support for suitable Scottish simplified divorce or dissolution cases. | Coming soon | Designed as a fixed-fee service for eligible simplified applications. |
| Sheriff court application feePaid to Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. | The court fee for a simplified divorce or dissolution application in the sheriff court. | £156 | Fee from 1 April 2026. Always check the current fee before applying. |
| Sheriff officer serviceOnly if required. | If service by sheriff officer is required after the application is submitted. | £15 + fee | The court may contact you if sheriff officer service is required. Sheriff officer fees are separate. |
| Ordinary divorce or legal adviceDifferent route. | Used where simplified divorce is not available or where advice is needed. | Separate | Needed for many cases involving children under 16, unresolved finances or complexity. |
Scottish court fees can change and fee exemption may be available in some circumstances. Service pricing will be confirmed before launch. This service does not include financial provision advice, ordinary divorce proceedings, child arrangements, sheriff officer fees, court fees or regulated legal advice unless clearly stated.
How long does simplified divorce take in Scotland?
Simplified divorce is usually quicker than an ordinary defended divorce, but it is not instant and the court does not guarantee a fixed timescale.
Straightforward cases are often measured in several weeks rather than months. Delays can happen if the application is incomplete, the wrong form is used, consent is missing, service is required, the court asks for more information or the case should not have been simplified.
When ordinary divorce or advice may be better.
Simplified divorce is not a downgrade from ordinary divorce. It is just a narrower route. If your case does not fit, ordinary divorce or advice is not a problem — it is the correct route.
Ordinary divorce in Scotland
Usually needed where simplified divorce is not available, including cases with children under 16, unresolved finances, defended issues, capacity concerns or more complex circumstances.
Separation agreement or solicitor advice
If money, property, pensions, debts or maintenance still need sorting, advice or a separation agreement may be needed before divorce is granted.
Simplified divorce Scotland FAQs.
Clear answers for people considering DIY or fixed-fee support for a simplified Scottish divorce or dissolution application.
Can I apply for simplified divorce in Scotland myself?
Yes, if you meet the simplified divorce criteria and are comfortable completing the court forms yourself. The Scottish Courts provide forms and guidance. Our managed option is for people who want help preparing the application.
Who is simplified divorce for?
It is usually for cases based on one year separation with consent or two years separation without consent, where there are no children of the marriage or civil partnership under 16, no financial matters to sort out, no other relevant proceedings and the Scottish jurisdiction rules are met.
Can I use simplified divorce if we have children?
Not if there are children of the marriage or civil partnership under 16. Ordinary divorce may be needed instead.
Can I use simplified divorce if we have agreed finances?
Only if there are no financial matters left to sort out. If there is any doubt about property, pensions, debts, maintenance or a separation agreement, get advice before applying.
What happens if I use simplified divorce before sorting finances?
This can be risky. In Scotland, financial provision should usually be dealt with before divorce is granted. If finances are not fully resolved, check advice before using the simplified route.
Do I need an affidavit?
Yes. The simplified application includes an affidavit which must be sworn before a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.
What is the court fee?
From 1 April 2026, the sheriff court fee for an application for simplified divorce or dissolution of civil partnership is £156. Additional service fees may apply if sheriff officer service is required.