Family Court Forms in the UK: A Guide to the Main Forms
Updated: 17 hours ago
Here is a guide to the key family court forms in the UK. More precisely, these are the forms used in England and Wales. They are commonly used in family proceedings, particularly in divorce, child arrangements, financial orders and other family law matters. Always check which form fits your case before you file.
Divorce and dissolution proceedings
These forms start and finish a divorce, a judicial separation or the end of a civil partnership. Divorce is now mostly done online. The court calls the first stage a conditional order, which used to be called a decree nisi. The final stage is the final order, formerly the decree absolute. You may still see the older names on paper forms. Read our guide to a no-fault divorce application for the full process.
Form D8 – Divorce, separation or dissolution petition. Used to apply for a divorce, judicial separation or the dissolution of a civil partnership.
Form D84 – Application for decree nisi. Used to apply for the first stage of a divorce (decree nisi) after the divorce petition is accepted.
Form D36 – Application for decree absolute. Used to finalise the divorce by applying for a decree absolute (the final order).
Child arrangements and parental responsibility
These family court forms deal with where a child lives and who they spend time with. They also cover disputes about a child's upbringing. Our guides to a child arrangement order and a prohibited steps order explain what the court can order.
Form C100 – Application for a child arrangements order, prohibited steps order or specific issue order. Used to apply for child arrangements orders or to address specific child-related issues.
Form C1A – Allegations of harm and domestic violence. Used to tell the court if there are concerns about harm or domestic violence in child arrangements proceedings.
Form C79 – Application to enforce a child arrangements order. Used if the other party is not complying with a child arrangements order.
Applications about children are made under the Children Act 1989. Before you apply, the court usually expects you to have considered mediation. You can read the Act on legislation.gov.uk.
Financial order forms in the UK family court
Financial remedy proceedings deal with money and property when a relationship ends. This includes spousal maintenance and the division of assets.
Form A – Notice of intention to proceed with an application for a financial order. Used to start financial remedy proceedings, including spousal maintenance and division of assets.
Form A1 – Application for a financial order. Used for a financial order that is not part of the divorce, such as child maintenance when the Child Maintenance Service is not used.
Form E – Financial statement. Used to disclose your financial circumstances when applying for a financial order during divorce.
Full and honest disclosure matters. The court relies on the financial information each side gives, so make sure Form E is accurate and complete.
Consent order forms
A consent order makes an agreement legally binding. It is useful when both sides agree on the terms and want the court to approve them. Read more in our guide to financial consent order applications.
Form D81 – Statement of information for a consent order in relation to financial remedies. Used to submit a consent order (a financial agreement) to the court for approval.
Child arrangements by consent. When both parents agree on the arrangements for a child, they can ask the court to make the agreement a court order. Check on GOV.UK which form and what supporting papers the court needs.
Parental responsibility
Form C1 – Application for an order (parental responsibility, guardianship, child arrangements and similar). Used to apply for parental responsibility or other child-related orders.
Miscellaneous family law forms
Form FM1 – Family mediation information and assessment form. Required in many cases before applying to the court, to show that mediation was considered.
Form C4 – Application for an order for disclosure of a child's whereabouts. Used if you need help from the court to find a child's location.
Where to find the latest family court forms
Forms change from time to time, so always use the most up-to-date version. The latest versions are on GOV.UK, which is run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The procedure is set out in the Family Procedure Rules 2010. If you are unsure which form to use, or how to fill it in, speak to a solicitor. You can also read our guide to the best family law solicitors near me.
