Lost your Decree Absolute?

Yes, although I am normally paranoid about keeping official papers safe and properly filed (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - most teachers have it), I appear to have mislaid my decree absolute. I have practically torn the place apart looking for it but to no avail.
I received an invitation from the Pension Service to apply for my state pension last week. Apparently, you don't just get it any more, you have to apply for it and also consider whether you would like to delay applying for it, which presumably saves the government money as there is a greater likelihood of your sudden demise before you have chance to take advantage of it. Anyway, this isn't really a digression because one of the documents they require from divorced persons is the decree absolute.
However, further perusal revealed that it is possible to do the application over the phone so, I reasoned, if I do that, they won't want me to send them my decree absolute. Result!
Wrong. I did think I had got away with it, as my 15 minute telephone conversation drew to a close and the nice man told me that I would get an acknowledgement through the post that my application had been processed.
I got the letter and guess what? "Could you please send us your decree absolute" it said.
"B*******!" I said.
Having turned to the internet, I learned that I could send for a replacement for the princely sum of £65 plus VAT!!!! Not good.
However, I eventually discovered that, by contacting the court where it was originally issued, as long as I have the reference (I have) and the divorce was less than 5 years ago (it was), I can get a replacement for .....wait for it..... £5.
Now that's more like it!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agh!!! How irritating! You know, they tie you up in knots to make it difficult on purpose. They hope that you might just give up. I'm convinced of it.

I'm glad you have the necessary reference handy! Five pounds is much better than sixty-five pounds!

Anonymous said...

Jenny ! You know how long I have been waiting for you to get divorced so that we can take our relationship to an all-new level - and now I read with interest that you have been divorced all along !!! You've played me for a fool, madam - I can take a hint ! No going down on one knee for me any more.....actually, I'm not getting any younger and I'm not too sure I could get down if I tried (I definitely wouldn't be able to get back up anyway with these knees !) ;O) CraigyBaby !

Jennytc said...

You're right, Jay, they're sadists, those government employees!
Craing, nice thought, but at my advanced age, I doubt if I would be able to keep up with you! And I am concerned about those knees of yours.;)

Yorkshire Pudding said...

£5 for twenty seven years of marriage. Seems like a bargain to me. Or was it twenty three - can't rightly remember.

Jennytc said...

YP, you must have been hanging on my every word! It was 27 and a half actually.

Ellee Seymour said...

How complicated. I bet your original will turn up now.

Jennytc said...

No doubt, Ellee!

gemmak said...

Um...I know that irritation, I have somehow among my many moves managed to 'mislay' mine....both of them! :o/

Jennytc said...

Well, now you know where to get new ones, Gemmak!:)

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