Divorce: Getting a “Dissolution” Order
Applying for a dissolution
The two of you can apply for a Dissolution Order together, or one of you can apply alone.
You apply to the Family Court. You can get copies of the application forms from the Family Court, or you can download them from the Ministry of Justice website, here (or go to justice.govt.nz, search “divorce” and navigate to “Divorce forms and fees”).
Applying for a dissolution is relatively simple, and you don’t need a lawyer. Making a joint application together is the simpler and faster way – it can usually be dealt with by the Family Court Registrar without a hearing and without you having to go in to the court at all. A “single application” is when you apply for a dissolution on your own, which might be because your ex-partner doesn’t agree to the dissolution, or because you don’t know where they are. With a single application, the process is a little more involved.
At the time the application is made, at least one of you must be living in New Zealand.
How much does it cost to apply for a dissolution?
Family Courts Fees Regulations 2009, reg 5, Schedule 1 Legal Services Act 2011, s 7(5)(e)
You’ll have to pay a filing fee of $211.50.
If either party chooses to see a lawyer, they will also have to pay their lawyer’s fees. Legal Aid is not available for the dissolution itself but may be available for other related family issues, such as care of children or relationship property disputes.
Applying together: Joint applications
How do we make a joint application for dissolution?
If you both agree to getting a divorce (a dissolution), you can make one application between you. Joint applications are simpler and faster and can usually be dealt with by the Family Court Registrar without a hearing and without you having to go in to the court.
You’ll need to complete the following documents and file them with the Family Court:
- “Joint application for order dissolving marriage or civil union” (Form FP13) – Here you should include details of the arrangements you’ve made for the care and financial support of your children, if you have them, and
- “Affidavit to accompany joint application for order dissolving marriage or civil union” (Form FP14) – An affidavit is a written statement setting out the facts that support your application, which are that you’ve been living apart for two years and you’ve made arrangements for your children. The affidavit has to be signed and sworn (or affirmed) in front of a lawyer, Justice of the Peace or court Registrar, and
- “Information sheet” (Form G7).
You can download those three forms as a single pack from the Ministry of Justice website, here (or go to justice.govt.nz, search “divorce” and navigate to “Divorce forms and fees”. It’s called “Pack 2”).
You also have to attach these documents to the affidavit:
- your original marriage or civil union certificate, or a certified copy of the certificate, marked as “Exhibit A,” and
- any separation agreement, marked as “Exhibit B”.
Applying by yourself: Single applications
How do I make a single application for dissolution?
A single application is when you apply for a divorce (dissolution) on your own, rather than the two of you making a joint application. This might be because the other person doesn’t agree to the dissolution, or because you don’t know where they are.
You’ll need to complete the following documents, submit them to the Family Court, and then give copies to your ex-partner:
- “Application by one party for order dissolving marriage or civil union” (Form FP11) – Here you should include details of the arrangements you’ve made for the care and financial support of your children, if you have them, and
- “Affidavit to accompany application by one party for order dissolving marriage or civil union” (Form FP12) – An affidavit is a written statement setting out the facts that support your application, which are that you’ve been living apart for two years and you’ve made arrangements for your children. The affidavit has to be signed and sworn (or affirmed) in front of a lawyer, Justice of the Peace or court Registrar, and
- “Information sheet” (Form G7), and
- “Notice to respondent” (Form FP16).
You can download those three forms as a single pack from the Ministry of Justice website, here (or go to justice.govt.nz and search “divorce” and navigate to “Divorce forms and fees”. It’s called “Pack 1”).
You also have to attach the following documents to your affidavit:
- the original marriage or civil union certificate, or a certified copy of the certificate, marked as “Exhibit A,” and
- any separation agreement, marked as “Exhibit B”.
Giving the other person a copy of the application (“serving” them)
Family Court Rules 2002, rules 104, 127
Once you’ve taken the documents to the Family Court, if you are the person applying alone for dissolution (“the applicant”), you must arrange for copies of the application and other documents to be given to (“served upon”) your spouse or civil union partner (“the respondent”). The documents can’t be posted to the respondent. This is the case even if the other party is living overseas.
You as the applicant cannot personally serve the copy of the application upon the respondent. You have to find someone to serve it for you. It is preferable that the person serving the application (“the server”) knows the other party, but if this is not possible, someone over the age of 18 can be the server. If the applicant wants to, they can pay for a private investigator, process server or bailiff to serve the documents.
Note: The copy of the application for dissolution can’t be served on a Sunday, Anzac Day (25 April), Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, or Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day.
Family Court Rules 2002, rules 127, 357, 358
To show that the application has been served, the server must complete a form stating what documents were served and on what date. This is called an “Affidavit of Service” (Form G8).
If the server knows the other person, the affidavit must state how the server knows them.
If the server doesn’t know the other person, the server must prove that the documents were served on the correct person by attaching to the affidavit either:
- written acknowledgement proved to be in the handwriting of the applicant’s spouse or civil union partner, or
- a satisfactory photograph of the applicant’s spouse or civil union partner.
Once the copy of the application has been served, the sworn “Affidavit of Service” should be returned to the court.
What happens if I don’t know where the other person is?
Family Proceedings Act 1980, s 157
If you do not know where your spouse or civil union partner is, you will need to make an “Application for Substituted Service” or an “Application to Dispense with Service”.
The court will then consider whether there are other ways that service can be given effect. For example, if the application for dissolution is served on a family member of your spouse or civil union partner, or if notice of the application is given by advertising in newspapers where it’s thought the other party might see it.
This is a more complex process, and you as the applicant will probably need the assistance of a family lawyer.
What if the other person doesn’t want a dissolution?
Family Court Rules 2002, rules 345, 346, 348
If one partner disagrees with the dissolution, they can ask the Family Court not to grant the divorce. This is called “defending the application”.
That person has to either file a request for an appearance (Form FP 19), or file a defence (Form G12), within 21 days of being served with a copy of the application for dissolution.
It is difficult for one partner to defend an application for a Dissolution Order unless they can show that they and their partner have not been separated for at least two years. It won’t be enough if one partner just doesn’t want the relationship to end.
