Fill and sign Form D8 online
Applies to the court in England and Wales for a divorce or to end a civil partnership, on paper.
Form D8 at a glance
- Official name
- Application for a divorce, dissolution or to apply for a judicial separation order (D8)
- Issued by
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Category
- Legal and powers of attorney
- Language
- English
- Who uses it
- People who have been married or in a civil partnership for at least a year and want to apply on paper instead of online, alone or jointly with their spouse or civil partner.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
Not stated. The form says you must sign and date the statement of truth or the court will return the application.
- Instructions
- Official HM Courts & Tribunals Service page
Form D8 is the paper application for a divorce or to end a civil partnership in England and Wales. You can apply alone or jointly. Open the official form from GOV.UK in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date, and download it to print and post. Everything happens in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Form D8
Check you can apply
You must have been married or in a civil partnership for at least one year. Solicitors apply through the MyHMCTS portal instead.
Your application and your details (sections 1 and 2)
Choose divorce or dissolution and a sole or joint application, then give your name and address and say whether you want your contact details kept confidential.
The other party and the marriage (sections 3 and 4)
Give your spouse or civil partner's details and how they can be served, then the date and names exactly as on the marriage or civil partnership certificate.
Jurisdiction and breakdown (sections 5 and 6)
Explain why the court in England and Wales can deal with the case, and confirm the marriage or civil partnership has broken down irretrievably.
Other cases and financial orders (sections 7 to 9)
List any other court cases about the marriage and say whether you want to apply for a financial order. Starting financial proceedings needs a separate Form A or A1.
Sign and post it
Sign and date the statement of truth in section 10; for a joint application both of you sign. Post it with your marriage certificate and the £628 fee to HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution service, PO Box 13226, Harlow, CM20 9UG.
What you need before you start
- Your original marriage or civil partnership certificate, or a certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted.
- A certified English translation if the certificate is not in English.
- Proof of any change of name since the marriage, such as a deed poll.
- Your spouse or civil partner's address.
- The £628 fee or a Help with Fees reference.
Online or paper?
You can apply for a divorce online instead. On paper, keep your own copy, and pay by card or by cheque payable to "HM Courts and Tribunals Service". The court keeps the certificate you send.
Common mistakes
- Sending a photocopy of the marriage certificate.
- Names that do not match the certificate exactly.
- Applying before the first anniversary of the marriage.
- Not signing and dating the statement of truth, which means the court returns the application.
- For a joint application, only one person applying for Help with Fees.
Form D8: frequently asked questions
How much does a divorce application cost?
£628. It is not refunded once the court has issued your application.
Where do I send the D8?
To HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution service, PO Box 13226, Harlow, CM20 9UG.
Do I need to send my original marriage certificate?
Send the original or a certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted, and the court keeps the document.
Can I apply for a divorce online?
Yes. GOV.UK offers an online service for divorce and for ending a civil partnership.
Is BunnyDoc connected to HM Courts & Tribunals Service?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with HM Courts & Tribunals Service. We link to the official form on GOV.UK and give you a free tool to fill and sign it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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