Divorce Forms UK
Divorce forms are not the same across the UK. England and Wales use GOV.UK forms and online services, Scotland has simplified and ordinary divorce forms through the Scottish Courts, and Northern Ireland uses its own divorce petition and Matrimonial Office process.
Divorces.co.uk is an information website and is not a law firm. This guide links to official form sources and explains what they are commonly used for. It is not legal advice.
Find the right divorce form before you start.
The right form depends on where your divorce belongs, whether you are applying online or on paper, whether finances need sorting and whether you are dealing with children, safety, service or a defended case.
Most people start online through GOV.UK. Paper divorce applications usually use Form D8.
Scotland uses different forms for simplified divorce and ordinary divorce through the Scottish Courts.
Northern Ireland has its own divorce petition forms and Matrimonial Office process. Do not use England and Wales forms.
What are divorce forms?
Divorce forms are the court forms or online applications used to start, respond to, progress or finalise a divorce. The form you need depends on where your divorce belongs.
In England and Wales, many people now apply online through GOV.UK, but paper forms still exist. In Scotland, the form depends on whether you are using simplified divorce or ordinary divorce. In Northern Ireland, divorce starts with a petition lodged through the Northern Ireland court process.
Forms are only one part of divorce. They do not automatically sort out money, property, pensions, debts, maintenance or child arrangements. Those issues may need separate paperwork, mediation, a financial agreement or solicitor advice.
Which divorce form route applies to you?
Start by choosing the country where your divorce belongs. The forms, process, timings and financial paperwork are different.
England and Wales
Use the GOV.UK online divorce service where suitable, or Form D8 for a paper divorce or dissolution application.
Scotland
Scotland has simplified divorce forms for eligible DIY cases and ordinary divorce forms for the fuller court route.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own divorce petition forms and checklist documents through nidirect and the Department of Justice.
Divorce forms for England and Wales.
In England and Wales, the main divorce application can usually be made online. Paper forms are still used in some situations, and financial remedy forms are separate from the divorce application.
| Form or service | What it is used for | Official link | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK online divorce serviceMain route for many applications. | Apply online for divorce or dissolution in England and Wales. | Apply online | Use only for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes. |
| Form D8Divorce or dissolution application. | Paper form used to apply to end a marriage or civil partnership. | Official D8 form | Check the latest version before using it. GOV.UK forms are updated over time. |
| Form D84Conditional order. | Apply for a conditional order confirming the court sees no reason why you cannot divorce or separate. | Official D84 form | Usually part of the next stage after the divorce application has progressed. |
| Form D36Final order. | Apply to make the conditional order final, legally ending the marriage or civil partnership. | Official D36 form | Think carefully before final order if finances are not sorted. |
| Divorce and civil partnership forms collectionAll main GOV.UK divorce forms. | A GOV.UK collection of forms for divorce, dissolution and legal separation. | View GOV.UK form collection | Useful if you are not sure which divorce form applies. |
Old forms for applications issued before 6 April 2022 may still appear in search results. Do not use old divorce forms for a new case unless the official guidance says they apply.
Divorce forms for Scotland.
Scotland has different divorce procedures. The two main routes are simplified divorce and ordinary divorce. The form route depends on eligibility, children, finances and whether the case needs the fuller court process.
Simplified divorce is for eligible cases where the conditions are met, including no children under 16 and no financial matters left to sort out. The Scottish Courts provide simplified divorce forms and guidance through their website.
Ordinary divorce is used where simplified divorce is not available. This may include cases involving children under 16, unresolved finances, defended issues or other circumstances that need the fuller Scottish court procedure.
Official Scottish Courts links: simplified divorce guidance, simplified divorce forms, and ordinary divorce guidance.
Divorce forms for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland has its own divorce process. Do not use England and Wales divorce forms and do not assume the GOV.UK online divorce service applies.
In Northern Ireland, the divorce or dissolution process starts by lodging a petition and paying the fee. nidirect explains the process and the Department of Justice provides divorce forms and checklists.
Official Northern Ireland links: nidirect divorce and dissolution guidance, Department of Justice matrimonial proceedings guidance, and NI divorce forms and checklists.
There is also a Department of Justice page for High Court divorce forms and checklists, but most people should check which court and route applies before using High Court forms.
Divorce forms do not automatically sort money.
A divorce application ends the marriage or civil partnership. It does not automatically make a financial settlement binding. The paperwork for money, property and pensions depends on the country and the type of agreement or dispute.
| Country | Form or document | What it does | Official link or next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| England and WalesAgreed finances. | D81 and draft consent order | D81 gives the court information about the parties’ financial situation to support a consent order. | Official D81 form |
| England and WalesDisputed finances. | Form A | Used to start a request for a financial order in divorce or civil partnership proceedings. | Official Form A |
| England and WalesDetailed disclosure. | Form E | Financial statement used in financial remedy cases and financial disclosure. | Official Form E |
| ScotlandAgreed finances. | Minute of Agreement | A Scottish agreement often used to record financial terms such as property, pensions, debts and maintenance. | Read our Minute of Agreement guide |
| Northern IrelandFinancial claims. | Ancillary relief / financial proceedings | NI financial paperwork is separate from simply filing the divorce petition and may need solicitor advice. | NI matrimonial proceedings guidance |
Do not apply for final divorce paperwork too quickly if finances are not sorted. Property, pensions, debts, maintenance and future claims may need separate legal paperwork.
Before you submit any divorce form.
A divorce form can look simple, but mistakes can delay the case or create problems later. Check these points first.
Basic checks
Pause before filing if...
Divorce form mistakes that cause problems.
Most form problems are avoidable. The biggest issue is usually not handwriting or formatting — it is choosing the wrong route or submitting before the wider issues are ready.
| Mistake | Why it causes problems | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Using the wrong country’s formUK search results can mix systems. | England and Wales forms do not apply to Scottish or Northern Ireland divorce. | Start with jurisdiction first, then choose the form. |
| Ignoring financesDivorce is not the same as financial settlement. | You may end the marriage without properly dealing with money or future claims. | Check whether a consent order, financial order, Minute of Agreement or solicitor advice is needed. |
| Using old formsSearch results can show outdated forms. | Old forms may only apply to older cases or pre-2022 applications. | Use the latest official source and read the form page carefully. |
| Missing service detailsThe other person must usually receive papers. | Incorrect addresses or contact details can delay the process. | Check the correct address and email process before filing. |
| Finalising too soonEspecially where finances are not agreed. | Final divorce can have financial consequences and may make later steps harder. | Check the financial position before applying for final order or decree. |
| Trying to handle unsafe cases alonePressure, abuse or coercion. | DIY forms may not protect someone who cannot negotiate safely. | Get specialist support or legal advice before engaging with the other person. |
Need help choosing the right divorce form?
The safest first step is to work out where your divorce belongs, whether the case is simple, and whether money, property, pensions, debts, children or safety issues need separate attention.
If you only need the divorce itself, the form route may be straightforward. If finances or children are involved, the form is only part of the process.
Use our free divorce route checker, read our divorce guides, or compare divorce solicitors near you if legal advice is likely to be needed.
Divorce forms UK FAQs.
Clear answers to common questions about divorce forms in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What divorce form do I need in England and Wales?
Many people apply online through GOV.UK. If applying on paper, the main application form is usually Form D8. Later stages may involve Form D84 for conditional order and Form D36 for final order.
Can I use Form D8 in Scotland?
No. Form D8 is for England and Wales. Scotland has separate simplified divorce and ordinary divorce forms through the Scottish Courts.
Can I use GOV.UK online divorce in Northern Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland has a separate divorce process and its own forms. Use nidirect and Department of Justice Northern Ireland guidance.
Do divorce forms sort out money?
No. Divorce forms deal with ending the marriage or civil partnership. Financial settlement usually needs separate paperwork, such as a consent order in England and Wales or a Minute of Agreement in Scotland.
What form do I need for a consent order?
In England and Wales, an agreed financial consent order is usually supported by Form D81 and a draft consent order. The court uses D81 to consider the financial position and whether the proposed arrangements are fair.
What if my spouse will not respond?
The answer depends on the country and the court process. There may be service, deemed service or alternative steps, but you should check official guidance or get legal advice before guessing.
Should I use a solicitor for divorce forms?
Not always. Simple cases may be manageable without a solicitor. But solicitor advice is sensible where there are finances, children, property, pensions, safety concerns, pressure, international issues or a defended case.
Where should I download divorce forms?
Use official court or government sources. For England and Wales, use GOV.UK. For Scotland, use Scottish Courts. For Northern Ireland, use nidirect and Department of Justice Northern Ireland.