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Divorce Data & Tools - reference guide

Form D8 explained, section by section

Form D8 is the application that starts a divorce, dissolution or judicial separation in England and Wales. It is not a long form, but a handful of sections decide whether your application goes through first time and whether your finances are protected afterwards. Here is what each one is really asking.

Written by CalmSplit Editorial TeamReviewed by Ramani GillLast reviewed 13 August 2026England & Wales

What you need to hand

  • Your original marriage certificate, or a certified copy from the register office.
  • A certified translation if the certificate is not in English.
  • Evidence of any name change, such as a deed poll or marriage certificate, if your current name differs from the certificate.
  • Your Help with Fees reference number, if you are applying for a fee reduction.

The one to get right

The section on applying for a financial order is the most consequential part of the form. A divorce ends the marriage; it does not end financial claims. Without a sealed financial order, either of you can make a claim years later.

How a financial consent order works

The court fee for the application is £628, paid to HMCTS. See the Divorce Cost Index for every fee that can apply, or work out your own total with the cost calculator.

Every section, in plain English

  1. Section 1

    About this application

    What it asks for
    Whether you are applying alone (a sole application) or together with your spouse (a joint application), and whether you want a divorce, a dissolution or a judicial separation.
    Where people go wrong
    Choosing a joint application when you are not confident your spouse will complete their part. A joint application needs both people to act at several stages.
    Why it matters
    A stalled joint application can usually be switched to a sole application, but it costs weeks. If in doubt, a sole application with a cooperative spouse is often the safer route.

  2. Section 2

    Your details (the applicant)

    What it asks for
    Your full name, any other names you have used, your address, contact details and whether you want your address kept confidential.
    Where people go wrong
    Using your everyday name rather than the exact name on the marriage certificate, or forgetting to tick confidentiality when your address must not be shared.
    Why it matters
    A name mismatch with the certificate is one of the most common reasons an application is sent back for amendment.

  3. Section 3

    Your spouse's details (the respondent)

    What it asks for
    Their full name as on the marriage certificate, their address, and their email address if you have one.
    Where people go wrong
    Giving an address you are not sure about, or no address at all, because you have lost contact.
    Why it matters
    The court must be satisfied your spouse received the application. A wrong address means applying for alternative or deemed service, which adds time and paperwork.

  4. Section 4

    Details of your marriage or civil partnership

    What it asks for
    The date and place of the marriage exactly as written on the certificate, and confirmation that the marriage is legally recognised in England and Wales.
    Where people go wrong
    Copying the place of marriage loosely, or translating a foreign certificate yourself.
    Why it matters
    Foreign marriages usually need a certified translation. Getting the wording wrong here delays the whole application.

  5. Section 5

    Why the court can deal with your case (jurisdiction)

    What it asks for
    The legal reason the courts of England and Wales can hear your divorce, normally based on habitual residence or domicile.
    Where people go wrong
    Ticking a ground that does not match your actual circumstances, especially where one of you lives abroad.
    Why it matters
    Jurisdiction is a legal test, not a formality. If you or your spouse live outside England and Wales, this is the section where advice is genuinely worth paying for.

  6. Section 6

    Statement of irretrievable breakdown

    What it asks for
    A statement that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Since April 2022 you do not give any reason and your spouse cannot contest it on the merits.
    Where people go wrong
    Expecting to set out conduct such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour. There is nowhere to do so and no benefit in trying.
    Why it matters
    Nothing you write about conduct here affects the divorce or the financial outcome.

  7. Section 7

    Other court proceedings

    What it asks for
    Whether there are, or have been, other court cases about your marriage, your children or your finances.
    Where people go wrong
    Overlooking earlier proceedings, including ones started abroad or ones that were withdrawn.
    Why it matters
    The court needs the full picture. Omissions can surface later and undermine your application.

  8. Section 8

    Applying for a financial order

    What it asks for
    Whether you intend to ask the court to make a financial order. Ticking this preserves your ability to apply later; it does not start the financial case.
    Where people go wrong
    Assuming the divorce itself settles money and property. It does not.
    Why it matters
    Without a sealed financial order, either of you can bring a financial claim years after the divorce. This is the single most consequential box on the form.

  9. Section 9

    Statement of truth and signature

    What it asks for
    Confirmation that everything in the application is true, signed by you (and by your spouse on a joint application).
    Where people go wrong
    Signing on behalf of someone else, or leaving the date blank.
    Why it matters
    A defective statement of truth invalidates the application and, at worst, is contempt of court.

  10. Section 10

    Court fee and Help with Fees

    What it asks for
    Payment of the HMCTS application fee, or your Help with Fees reference number if you have applied for a reduction.
    Where people go wrong
    Applying for Help with Fees after submitting, rather than getting the reference first.
    Why it matters
    Get the Help with Fees reference before you submit, otherwise the application cannot be processed.

Scope and sources

  • This guide describes the current published version of Form D8 and the equivalent questions in the GOV.UK online divorce service. Always download the form itself from GOV.UK rather than relying on a copy.
  • It covers divorce and dissolution in England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different procedures.
  • It is legal information, not legal advice. Jurisdiction, finances involving businesses or pensions, and any case with safety concerns deserve advice from a qualified solicitor.
  • Last checked against GOV.UK on 13 August 2026.

Official sources

Common questions

Most people apply online through GOV.UK, which asks the same questions as Form D8. The paper D8 is used where you cannot apply online, for example where you need your address kept confidential in certain circumstances or where the case does not fit the online service.

Prefer not to fill the form in cold?

CalmSplit asks you the same information in plain questions, checks your answers for the errors above and produces a ready-to-submit application pack. £159 per person, one-off, plus the £628 court fee paid directly to HMCTS.

Start your divorceMore on the D8 form

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Divorce data and tools

Free, sourced references for England and Wales. Part of the CalmSplit Divorce Data & Tools hub.