How Long Does a Consent Order Take in the UK?
May 30th 2025
Short answer: In straightforward cases, a consent order is sealed by a judge on average between 2 to 4 weeks after it reaches the court.
Allow six to eight weeks from signing the paperwork to having a legally binding financial order in your hand, as various factors can cause delays.
At‑a‑Glance Timescales
| Stage | Typical duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation & signing | Typically 21 – 40 working days (14 working days with Divorce-Online). | You and your ex gather figures, complete Form D81, and sign the consent order. |
| Court processing | About 3 – 4 weeks (often). | The court logs your case, and a family‑law judge reviews it. |
| Judge queries | Adds 1 – 3 weeks (Rare, but it does happen when agreements are not fair). | The judge asks for further information on how you reached the agreement or amendments. |
| Order sealed | Immediately becomes legally binding. | The court returns the stamped order – it takes effect at once. |
In busy court centres or complex, high‑value cases the total can stretch between four and 10 weeks (4‑10 weeks). DIY submissions with errors will take even longer.
Factors Affecting Consent Order Processing Times…
1. Complexity
A clean break financial order with one property and no pensions is going to be quicker than dividing multiple businesses, overseas assets or share options.
Complex divorce settlements can move from about 3 to 4 weeks to 6‑8 weeks as judges examine the details.
2. Court Workload
Family courts are not equal. London and the South‑East often see heavier caseloads, pushing routine approvals towards the upper end of the range.
3. Judge’s Requirements
Judges can reject or delay an application for a consent order if:
- The terms appear unfair, or the split lacks a clear rationale.
- Information is missing (e.g. CETV values, mortgage balance).
- There are errors in the application paperwork, or
- There is no evidence of legal advice on complex settlements.
If queries arise, you will receive a letter asking for clarification on how you reached the agreement.
You should aim to respond promptly to stop your application from stalling.
How Often Does a Judge Reject a Consent Order?
4. Cooperation of Both Parties
If an ex refuses to sign the draft consent order, it cannot be filed in court. Delays here are outside the court’s control.
How to Speed Up Your Consent Order Application
Achieving a sealed consent order promptly depends on thorough preparation, early agreement and disciplined communication.
By following the steps below, most applicants receive their stamped order within three to five weeks.
1. Assemble complete financial evidence before submission
Provide a current property valuation, the latest mortgage statement, CETV pension figures, three recent months of bank and savings statements, and any agreed maintenance amounts.
Having a fully documented financial agreement helps avoid judicial queries and avoidable delays.
2. Document a clear, mutual agreement
Amendments requested after filing are the principal cause of extended timescales, potentially lengthening the process from two–four weeks to six–eight weeks.
Prepare a concise document detailing the proposed division of assets, liabilities and income to ensure both parties fully agree before submitting an application.
3. File With Divorce‑Online
Conventional firms often dispatch paper bundles and rely on postal payments, extending both cost and duration.
When filing with Divorce-Online, everything is completed online, streamlining the process.
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