Get a divorce

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How to apply

To apply for a divorce you’ll need:

  • yours and your husband or wife’s full name and address
  • your original marriage certificate or a certified copy (and a certified translation if it’s not in English)
  • proof of your name change if you’ve changed it since you got married - for example your marriage certificate or a deed poll

You will be asked for your husband or wife’s current address. This is so the court can send them a copy of the divorce application. Find out what to do if you do not know your husband or wife’s address.

If you give your husband or wife’s email address, the court will send the divorce papers to them online. If you do not give an email address the papers will be sent by post.

Fee

There’s a £593 fee to apply for a divorce. The way you pay depends on how you apply. Your fee will not be refunded after you are sent the notice that your divorce application has been issued.

If you need help paying the fee

You may be able to get help with fees if you get benefits or are on a low income. You can apply for this help online or with a paper form.

If you apply for the help online, you’ll get a reference number. Use that reference number when you apply for a divorce so you do not have to pay the fee upfront.

If you apply for the help with a paper form, you will not get a reference number. If you do not want to pay the fee upfront, apply for divorce by post and include your paper form with your divorce application.

A decision will then be made about your application for help with fees. Depending on what’s decided, you may be asked to pay some or all of the fee.

If you are making a joint divorce application and want help with paying the fee, you must both apply for help. If your husband or wife is not eligible or does not apply, you’ll have to pay the full fee.

Apply online or continue an existing application

You’ll need a debit or credit card to apply online.

Apply now

Solicitors can apply online using a MyHMCTS account.

If you started an application before 6 April 2022

Sign in to continue an application started before 6 April 2022.

If you need help applying online

Who you contact depends on the type of help you need.

If you’re having technical issues or need guidance about how to apply

Courts and Tribunals Service Centre
Telephone: 0300 303 0642
Webchat
Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm
Closed on bank holidays
Find out about call charges

Online form

If you do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it

We Are Group
[email protected]
Telephone: 03300 160 051
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
Find out about call charges

Apply by post

Fill in a divorce application form D8 to start a divorce.

You can get help filling in the form at a Citizens Advice office.

Send a copy of the form to:

HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution service
PO Box 13226
Harlow
CM20 9UG

Keep your own copy of the form.

If you’re a Welsh speaker, you can apply by post using the divorce application form D8 (Welsh).

How to pay

You can either pay by:

  • debit or credit card - HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will call or email you with details of how to pay
  • cheque - made payable to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’
View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Get a divorce: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get support and advice

    You can get support or counselling to help you through the divorce process.

    1. Get support and advice from Relate
    2. Find a counsellor on Counselling Directory

  2. Step 2 Check if you can get divorced

    1. Check if you can get a divorce
    2. Get legal advice if you want help with the divorce process

  3. Step 3 Make arrangements for children, money and property

    1. Make arrangements for your children
    2. Divide your money and property
    3. Check if your divorce will affect whether you can live in your current home

  4. Step 4 Apply for a divorce

    1. You are currently viewing: Apply for a divorce online or by post £593
    2. Get help with court fees
    3. Get legal advice
    4. Get help if your husband or wife cannot make decisions for themselves

  5. Step 5 Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or ‘decree nisi’

    1. Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or 'decree nisi'

  6. Step 6 Finalise your divorce

    1. Apply for a ‘final order’ or 'decree absolute'

  7. Step 7 Report that your circumstances have changed

    You also have to tell other government organisations that you're getting divorced if: