Divorce for married couples (pack)

Divorcing can be difficult, so we’ve done our best to make the process as quick and simple as possible. This pack includes the Divorce Petition required to start the process, along with the rest of the documents that could subsequently be needed. Additionally, the Divorce Petition can instead be used to apply for a Judicial Separation, which can divide your assets and responsibilities like a divorce, while you remain married.

Form D36: Notice of application for decree nisi to be made absolute

If you have petitioned (or have received a petition) for a divorce and the court has pronounced the 'decree nisi', you can use this document to apply for the 'decree absolute' which will legally end the marriage. If you are the petitioner, you must wait at least 6 weeks before sending this document to the court. If you are the respondent, and the petitioner has not already applied, you must wait at least 3 months and 6 weeks before sending this document to the court. Once the decree absolute has been granted, you and your ex-spouse will be able to marry or enter into a civil partnership. Note that a judicial separation does not require you to apply for a decree absolute. Please note that this is only suitable for use in England & Wales.

Form D8: Divorce/judicial separation petition

This document must be used to start divorce or judicial separation proceedings and is formally called a 'petition'. This document is not suitable for those who wish to start an application to obtain an annulment of their marriage. (An annulment is when the court declares that a marriage is null and void because it satisfies one of 8 special circumstances, such as not being consummated or where one party did not consent to the marriage.) Please note that this document is only suitable for use in England or Wales.

Form D80A: Statement in support of divorce/judicial separation - adultery

If you have served a petition for divorce or judicial separation on your spouse on the ground of adultery, and they have agreed not to contest the petition, use this document to draw up a statement confirming the details of the petition. You must sign the statement and file it with the court. A district judge will then decide whether or not to grant the decree of divorce/judicial separation. This statement must be submitted with a duly completed and signed application for a decree nisi or judicial separation decree. If you have not yet completed such a document, you should do so now using our document 'Form D84: Application for decree nisi/judicial separation decree'. Please note that this document is only for use in England and Wales.

Form D80B: Statement in support of divorce/judicial separation - behaviour

If you have served a petition for divorce or judicial separation on your spouse on the ground of unreasonable behaviour, and they have agreed not to contest the petition, use this document to draw up a statement confirming the details of the petition. You must sign the statement and file it with the court. A district judge will then decide whether or not to grant the decree of divorce/judicial separation. This statement must be submitted with a duly completed and signed application for a decree nisi or judicial separation decree. If you have not yet completed this, you should do so now using our document 'Form D84: Application for decree nisi/judicial separation decree'. Please note that this document is only for use in England and Wales.

Form D80C: Statement in support of divorce/judicial separation - desertion

If you have served a petition for divorce or judicial separation on your spouse on the ground of desertion, and they have agreed not to contest the petition, use this document to draw up a statement confirming the details of the petition. You must sign the statement and file it with the court. A district judge will then decide whether to grant the decree of divorce/judicial separation. This statement must be submitted with a duly completed and signed application for a decree nisi or judicial separation decree. If you have not yet completed this, you should do so now using our document 'Form D84: Application for decree nisi/judicial separation decree'. Please note that this document is only for use in England and Wales.

Form D80D: Statement in support of divorce/judicial separation - 2 years' consent

If you have served a petition for divorce or judicial separation on your spouse on the ground of two years' separation (with their consent), and they have agreed not to contest the petition, use this document to draw up a statement confirming the details of the petition. You must sign the statement and file it with the court. A district judge will then decide whether to grant the decree of divorce/judicial separation. This statement must be submitted with a duly completed and signed application for a decree nisi or judicial separation decree. If you have not yet completed such a document, you should do so now using our document 'Form D84: Application for decree nisi/judicial separation decree'. Please note that this document is only for use in England and Wales.

Form D80E: Statement in support of divorce/judicial separation - 5-year separation

If you have served a petition for divorce or judicial separation on your spouse on the ground of a 5-year separation, and they have agreed not to contest the petition, use this document to draw up a statement confirming the details of the petition. You must sign the statement and file it with the court. A district judge will then decide whether or not to grant the decree of divorce/judicial separation. This statement must be submitted with a duly completed and signed application for a decree nisi or judicial separation decree. If you have not yet completed such a document, you should do so now using our document 'Form D84: Application for decree nisi/judicial separation decree'. Please note that this document is only for use in England and Wales.

Form D84: Application for decree nisi/judicial separation decree

Use this document to produce a completed Form D84, which must accompany the affidavit in support that you file with the court to confirm the details and grounds of your divorce/judicial separation petition. Once these documents together with the respondent’s acknowledgment of service are lodged with the court, the matter can be officially listed and a decision taken as to whether you will be granted the decree. Note that this procedure is only applicable where your spouse (the 'respondent') does not wish to contest the petition - therefore you can only use this document if this is the case. This document can only be used in England and Wales.

Form D8A: Statement of arrangements for children (divorce/judicial separation)

You will need to use this document when you start divorce or judicial separation proceedings and there are any children of the family: children under 16, or aged 16 or 17 and are at college, school or undergoing vocational training full time, that were either born to or adopted by both you and your spouse or have been treated by both you and your spouse as a child of the family (not including foster children). The purpose of the document is to enable the court to consider the arrangements you propose for the children after the divorce/judicial separation. In exceptional circumstances it can hold up the final decree (the 'decree absolute' in divorce cases, or the decree of judicial separation in judicial separation cases) until satisfactory arrangements are made for them. Please note that this document is only for use in connection with divorce or judicial separation proceedings in England and Wales.