Do your divorce online yourself
When it works, what you handle yourself, which forms are involved, what it costs, and what can go wrong if you miss the financial side.
Last updated 2026 · England and Wales. This guide explains the do-it-yourself divorce application process. Financial orders, child arrangements and legal advice are separate.
Find what you need quickly.
DIY divorce can save money, but only if the case is suitable and you understand what is separate from the divorce application. Use this guide to check the process before you apply.
You are organised, the divorce is straightforward, and you are comfortable managing the online process yourself.
Divorce does not automatically sort property, pensions, savings, debts or future financial claims.
If there is abuse, coercion, hidden assets or pressure, a standard DIY route may not be the right first step.
What does DIY online divorce actually mean?
DIY online divorce means you apply for the divorce yourself through the official online process. You complete the application, pay the court fee or apply for help with fees, monitor the court account, respond to updates, apply for conditional order, and then apply for final order.
It can work well if the divorce itself is straightforward. The risk is assuming it also sorts everything else.
A DIY divorce is not the same as having someone check, manage or chase the case for you. You are responsible for accuracy, timing and moving the application forward.
DIY divorce may be right for you if...
DIY divorce may not be enough if...
Which forms might be involved in a DIY divorce?
If you apply online, you may not physically complete every paper form. The online service collects the same type of information and tells you what to do next. These are the forms people commonly see when researching the process.
| Form | What it is for | When it matters | Plain English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form D8Divorce application | Starts the divorce or dissolution process. | At the beginning. | This is the divorce application. If you apply online, you usually enter the equivalent information online. |
| Form D84Conditional order | Used to apply for conditional order if applying by post. | After the 20-week waiting period. | If you applied online, the court service tells you how to apply online. |
| Form D36Final order | Used to apply to make the conditional order final. | At least 43 days after conditional order. | This is the stage that legally ends the marriage. |
| Form D81Statement of information | Gives the court financial information for a consent order. | If you need a clean break order or financial consent order. | This is for the financial order, not the divorce application itself. |
| Form AFinancial application | Used in financial remedy applications and linked financial order processes. | If finances need court involvement. | This is about money, property and financial orders, not divorce-only. |
| Form C100Child arrangements | Used for child arrangements applications. | If child arrangements are disputed. | Child arrangements are separate from the divorce application. |
Simple rule: D8, D84 and D36 relate to the divorce process. D81 and financial order documents relate to money and property. C100 relates to child arrangements.
How the DIY online divorce process works.
A straightforward divorce still takes months because there are fixed waiting periods. You are not divorced when you submit the application.
The key stages are application, issue, conditional order and final order. The financial order position should be checked before final order.
Check you can apply
Check England and Wales jurisdiction, the one-year marriage rule, spouse contact details and whether DIY is suitable.
Start the divorce application
Complete the online application yourself. This is the online equivalent of starting the divorce using Form D8.
Pay the fee or apply for help with fees
The current divorce application fee is £612 unless help with fees applies.
Wait for issue and the 20-week period
The waiting period runs from when the court issues the application, not from when you first start filling it in.
Apply for conditional order
Conditional order means the court sees no legal reason why the divorce cannot continue. It does not end the marriage yet.
Check the financial order position
Before final order, check whether you need a clean break order or financial consent order.
Apply for final order
You must wait at least 43 days after conditional order. Final order legally ends the marriage.
What does DIY online divorce cost?
DIY divorce avoids paying someone to manage the application for you, but it does not remove the court fee or any financial order costs.
| Cost | What it covers | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce application feePaid to HMCTS | The official court fee to apply for divorce in England and Wales. | £612 | Help with fees may be available if you are on a low income or receive certain benefits. |
| DIY service feeYou manage it yourself | You complete the application, check updates and apply for each stage yourself. | £0 | Lowest cost, but you are responsible for accuracy, admin and next steps. |
| Clean break orderSeparate financial protection | May help close future financial claims where suitable. | Separate | Divorce-only does not automatically close future claims. |
| Financial consent orderAgreed financial settlement | Makes an agreed financial settlement legally binding. | Separate | Important for property, pensions, savings, debts or payments. |
| Managed divorce supportApplication handled for you | Someone prepares, submits and tracks the divorce application for suitable cases. | Separate | Useful if you want less admin and clearer updates. |
DIY is cheapest when the divorce is genuinely straightforward and you understand the financial side. It can become more expensive if mistakes cause delays or if a financial order is missed.
The money side is separate from the divorce.
This is the part many people miss. A final order ends the marriage. It does not automatically divide assets, make a private agreement binding, split pensions, transfer property or dismiss future financial claims.
| Situation | Likely route | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| No real assets, want no future claimsSimple financial clean break. | Clean break order | Used where both people want future financial claims dismissed where suitable. |
| Property, pensions, savings or debts agreedFinancial agreement already reached. | Financial consent order | Makes the agreed financial settlement legally binding. |
| Need divorce and financial agreement handledBoth parts together. | Divorce and consent order | Combines the divorce application with the financial consent order. |
| Not agreed, hidden assets or pressureRisk or dispute. | Solicitor advice | DIY or a fixed-scope order service may not be suitable. |
Do not assume a private agreement is enough. If there are finances, get the financial order position clear before final order wherever possible.
Does DIY divorce deal with children?
The divorce application itself does not usually decide where children live, how much time they spend with each parent, or child maintenance.
| Issue | Is it decided by the divorce application? | What usually happens instead |
|---|---|---|
| Where children liveChild arrangements | No | If agreed, many parents do not need a court order. If disputed, mediation or a child arrangements application may be needed. |
| Time with each parentContact arrangements | No | Parents usually agree arrangements separately, or use mediation/legal support if they cannot agree. |
| Child maintenanceRegular payments | No | Usually dealt with by agreement or through the Child Maintenance Service. |
Use these checks before applying.
These are the practical questions that stop most DIY mistakes before they happen.
DIY readiness checklist
If you cannot tick most of these, managed support may be better.
Financial checklist
If any answer is yes, divorce-only may not be enough.
What can go wrong with DIY divorce?
Most DIY divorce problems happen because people underestimate the admin, miss a court message, rush final order, or think the divorce has sorted the financial side.
| Mistake | Why it matters | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking divorce sorts finances | Divorce ends the marriage. It does not automatically split assets or dismiss future claims. | Check whether you need a clean break order or financial consent order. |
| Applying for final order too quickly | In some cases, it is better to deal with the financial order before final order. | Check the financial position before finalising the divorce. |
| Missing court messages | DIY means you must keep checking the court account and emails. | Set reminders and check the portal regularly. |
| Using incorrect spouse details | Wrong address or email details can cause notification problems and delay the divorce. | Check all contact details before applying. |
| Ignoring pensions | Pensions can be one of the largest assets in a marriage. | Consider pensions as part of the financial settlement, not an afterthought. |
| Relying on a private agreement | “We agreed it ourselves” may not be enough for legal certainty. | Use a court-approved financial order where needed. |
DIY online divorce FAQs.
Clear answers before you decide whether to apply yourself.
Can I do my divorce myself?
Yes, if your case is suitable and you are confident managing the online process. You still need to check finances separately.
Which form starts the divorce?
Form D8 is the divorce application. If applying online, you usually enter the equivalent information through the online service.
How much does DIY divorce cost?
The current court fee is £612 unless help with fees applies. Financial orders, legal advice or managed support are separate.
How long does DIY divorce take?
Usually at least 26 weeks because of the 20-week wait before conditional order and the 43-day wait before final order.
Does DIY divorce sort finances?
No. Divorce ends the marriage. Clean break orders and consent orders deal with future claims and agreed finances.
Should I apply for final order as soon as possible?
Not always. If finances need sorting, check the financial order position before finalising the divorce.
Want the divorce application handled for you?
If you would rather not manage the forms, court account, updates and next steps yourself, our Simple Divorce Service is being built for suitable England and Wales divorce-only applications.