D8 — Apply for a Divorce or to Dissolve a Civil Partnership
The application form used to start divorce or civil partnership dissolution proceedings in the Family Court under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.
This is a reference summary, not the official form (D8).
Do not file this page. Always download and submit the current official form from the issuing authority.
Who uses this form
Either spouse or civil partner, applying alone or jointly, who wants to legally end their marriage or civil partnership in England or Wales.
When to use it
You can apply once you have been married or in the civil partnership for over a year, your relationship has permanently broken down, and it is legally recognised in the UK. You can make a sole application, or a joint application if you both agree and neither of you is at risk of domestic abuse — joint applicants must use the same application method (online or by post) and each confirm they want to continue at every stage.
Where to file
Apply online at gov.uk, or by post: send the completed D8 to HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution service, PO Box 13226, Harlow, CM20 9UG. A Welsh-language version of D8 is available for postal applicants.
Time limit / deadline
No deadline to apply, but after your application is issued you must wait 20 weeks before applying for a conditional order. On a sole application, your husband, wife, or civil partner must respond to the acknowledgement of service within 14 days of receiving it.
Court fee
£628 to apply for a divorce or dissolution.
Fee remission
You may be able to get help with the fee if you get benefits or are on a low income — apply online for a reference number to use with your application, or with the paper form if applying by post. On a joint application, both of you must be individually eligible.
Common mistakes to avoid
Applying by a different method (online vs post) to your husband, wife, or civil partner on a joint application — you must both use the same method
Not sending the original marriage or civil partnership certificate, or a certified copy (with a certified translation if it is not in English)
Applying for help with fees only after paying — get the reference number before or when you submit D8 so you are not asked to pay upfront
Trying to apply for a conditional order before the 20-week wait after your application is issued has passed
Assuming a joint application still qualifies for fee help if only one applicant is eligible — if your husband, wife, or civil partner does not qualify or does not apply, the full fee is payable
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Official source
Download / view form on GOV.UK or HMCTSAlways download forms directly from official government sources. Third-party copies may be outdated.