This dataset provides statistics on divorces between opposite-sex couples, which took place in England and Wales, broken down by the age and previous marital status of each partner, the year of occurrence, fact proven, who petitioned, duration of marriage and whether children were involved (figures on children are only available prior to 2015 the 'Have children' selection page provides more information).
         
The https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/bulletins/divorcesinenglandandwales/previousReleases[latest Divorce Statistics publication] is available on the Office for National Statistics website.
         
* Divorce statistics are derived from information recorded by His Majestys Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) during the divorce process.
* Figures represent both divorces and annulments that took place in England and Wales between opposite-sex couples. A marriage is dissolved, following a petition for divorce and the granting of a decree absolute, or annulled, following a petition for nullity and the awarding of a decree of nullity.   
* Divorce statistics do not include married couples who separate, but do not divorce.
* Divorces where the marriage took place abroad are included, provided the marriage was legally recognised in the UK and 1 of the parties had a permanent home in England and Wales.

Following the implementation of the http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/contents[Marriage Same Sex Couples Act 2013], the first marriages of same-sex couples took place on 29 March 2014. Civil partners have been able to convert their civil partnership into a marriage, if they so desired, from 10 December 2014. Figures showing the number of divorces to same-sex couples have since been included in the ONS annual divorce publications. The first divorces recorded between same-sex couples in England and Wales were in 2015. Divorce statistics for same-sex couples are not currently available in Nomis due to the very small number of divorces between same-sex couples.     

The https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/methodologies/divorcesinenglandandwalesqmi[latest Divorces Quality and Methodology Information] document contains important information on:

* the strengths and limitations of the data and how it compares with related data
* uses and users
* how the output was created
* the quality of the output including the accuracy of the data

Further information on data quality, legislation and procedures relating to divorces can be found in the https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce/methodologies/userguidetodivorcestatistics[User Guide to Divorce Statistics]

For more information on divorce statistics please contact 
Office for National Statistics
email: pop.info@ons.gov.uk
telephone: +44(0)1329 444661