Marriage Annulment Lawyers

A clear set of factors have to be in place to obtain a marriage annulment, for example the marriage hasn't been consummated, or you weren't able to consent to the marriage.

 

Even if you meet the requirements, your financial, business, and childcare arrangements will still need to be finalised.

In certain circumstances, a marriage can be ended through an annulment rather than a divorce.

Unlike divorce, you can get a marriage annulment at any time after a wedding. However, cases aren’t always straightforward, and you may have to go to court to give evidence. 

If you need help planning or agreeing an annulment, our solicitors can help. Our legal teams are experts at dealing with a wide range of family law issues, and our annulment lawyers understand that establishing both parties’ positions early is vital to understanding if annulment is an option.

Our lawyers understand that annulments often come about in unusual circumstances. We'll work to understand your case and advise you on the best options available to you. You'll need to go to court to get an annulment, but this is nothing to worry about and we'll be by your side at every step of the process.

When can I get an annulment?

Annulments normally take 10 to 12 months to complete, but they may take longer if contested.

The marriage must be ‘void’ (meaning it shouldn’t have happened), in the specific cases of:

  • The couple being closely related
  • One or both parties being under 16
  • One or both parties being in an existing marriage.

You can also apply if the marriage is ‘voidable’, in the case of someone:

  • Not consummating the marriage
  • Being pregnant by someone else
  • Having a mental disorder at the time of marriage
  • There are religious reasons for not wanting to divorce
  • Having a sexually transmitted disease at the time of marriage
  • Not being able to consent to the marriage (e.g. inebriated or forcibly coerced)
  • Having transitioned or being in the process of transitioning to a different gender.

It’s important to understand you are not legally obligated to consummate a marriage. But it remains a ground for annulment in the UK. A marriage can be declared void or voidable if the couple hasn’t had sex since the wedding due to incapacity or refusal.

Even if any of the above applies, the court may still refuse to grant a decree of nullity. We can help you understand why and what you can do next, and also connect you with counselling or other support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

If both partners agree to the annulment, the process typically takes between 10 to 12 months (the court doesn’t have an automated system for dealing with annulments).

The timeline depends on whether you and your partner are in agreement. If one partner objects to the annulment, the process will take longer, as lawyers will need to source and provide extra evidence in court. It will likely also be longer if there are international elements.

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