Forms for Divorce
June 2025
When starting divorce proceedings in the UK, it is important to use the correct forms to ensure your application is processed smoothly. Whether you are applying jointly or individually, the court requires a specific set of documents to initiate and finalise the divorce, as well as to deal with related matters such as finances and arrangements for children.
This summary provides general information and does not constitute legal advice on any individual circumstances.
The primary form used to begin the divorce process is Form D8, also known as the divorce application. This form must be completed with details of the marriage, the grounds for divorce, and the applicant’s and respondent’s personal information. Most applications are now submitted online, however the form can also be completed in hard copy and filed by post if necessary. If both parties are applying jointly, they will complete a joint application. If only one person is applying, it is known as a sole application.
Once the application is received and issued by the court, if it has been made by one party solely, the other party will be sent a copy of the application along with a response form.
Responding to the Divorce Application
The respondent must complete and return the Acknowledgement of Service form, confirming that they have received the divorce papers and stating whether they agree with the divorce or intend to dispute it. This form must be returned to the court within 14 days of receipt. If the respondent confirms they do not contest the divorce, the application can usually progress smoothly without the need for a court hearing. However, failure to return the form or an intention to dispute the application (which can only be for a legal reason, it cannot be because they do not wish to get divorced) may result in delays or require further legal steps.
Moving Forward With the Divorce
If both parties agree to the divorce, the next step is to wait for the mandatory waiting period of 20 weeks to conclude, and then to apply for the Conditional Order (previously known as the decree nisi). This application can be made through the online divorce portal or by posting the relevant paper form, depending on which medium is being used for the divorce process.
The application for the Conditional Order confirms that the legal and procedural requirements for divorce have been met and asks the court to proceed with formally dissolving the marriage. If the court is satisfied, it will issue the Conditional Order, which is a formal declaration that the court sees no reason why the divorce cannot be granted. Once the Conditional Order is made, a mandatory waiting period of six weeks and one day must pass before the applicant can then apply for the Final Order (previously known as the decree absolute). The Final Order is the legal document that officially dissolves the marriage. Most parties will agree to pause the divorce process after receiving their Conditional Order, however, in order to sort their financial division, and will then apply for the Final Order once that has been resolved.
Additional Forms for Financial and Child Arrangements
As the financial division and child arrangements are decided separately from the divorce process (which only concerns the legal status of the parties’ marriage), other forms will be necessary if the couple wish to formalise these too.
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