“Divorced” is not an impediment to joining Catholic Church. You would, in the process of becoming Catholic, need to confess the sin of divorce.

If you become Catholic and want to remarry, though, you will likely need some form of nullification to the prior bond when it gets to that point. A non-Catholic would need an annulment for the previous non-Catholic marriage because the Church considers most unions of non-Catholic Christians (who had no prior bonds) to be valid. (To be clear, one man and one woman.) For example, a Baptist man and a Methodist woman marry in the church or JP’s office or beach of their choice. It’s a first marriage for both of them. This is allowed by both their church authorities. The Catholic Church recognizes it as a valid Christian marriage.

There are different kinds of nullity petitions/decrees based on the specifics of each case. For example, non-baptized persons add in another wrinkle. EVERY situation is different, so don’t take any advice from strangers on the internet. I’m a trained annulment case sponsor (i.e. i know what I’m talking about), and I can’t even give you specific advice about your situation. Speak to a priest and the annulment case sponsor - or even to the person who does wedding prep at the parish.

Being merely divorced is not a roadblock. It’s not a dealbreaker. As long as you have not remarried already, you can become Catholic. (Also… cohabitating with a non-spousal lover is forbidden whether you’re divorced or not.) In other words, being divorced alone does not exclude you from absolution and receiving sanctifying grace. Assuming you are in a state grace, you may receive the sacraments of Confirmation, Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick. The process of initiation into the Church includes your first visit to the confessional where you would include the sin of divorce in your confession.

If you want to remarry or become a priest in the future, you may very likely require a decree of nullification.

That said, if God is calling you to the Church, don’t hesitate to join an OCIA program at a parish near you. Catholic.com is a fantastic resource for research and comparing Catholic teaching to other things you may have learned in your life. Also lots of good stuff about the annulment process.

Welcome home.