Can I end my marriage within 12 months?

For a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership you must wait at least 12 months before being able to commence proceedings to end the relationship. Whilst you cannot get a divorce or dissolution, there are some alternatives available within the 12 months:

If you believe your marriage was not legally valid, you may be able to obtain an annulment on the grounds it is a void marriage.

Alternatively, you could claim the marriage is a voidable marriage if certain conditions are met such as the marriage was not consummated, or the wife was pregnant by another man at the time of marriage.

You can enter into a Separation Agreement, which lets you and your partner agree on separation details in preparation for divorce or dissolution.