Form D84 UK: Conditional Order Application Guide
We're not a law firm — we help you find the right legal support. For advice on your situation, speak to a legal adviser or find a solicitor.
Part ofDivorce & Civil Partnership Dissolution Forms UK
If you've started divorce, dissolution or judicial separation proceedings in England or Wales, Form D84 is the next step that moves your case forward. It's the form you send to the court once the required waiting period has passed, asking a judge to grant you a conditional order (or a judicial separation order).
Without it, your application simply sits waiting. The form itself is relatively short, but getting it right matters because errors can delay your case by weeks. On this page I'll walk you through what D84 is for, who fills in which parts, and how to submit it.
If you'd rather talk it through with someone who understands family court paperwork, you can book a call with an experienced legal adviser at the bottom of the page.
What this document is
Form D84 is the court form used in England and Wales to ask a judge to make a conditional order in divorce or dissolution proceedings, or to grant a judicial separation order where the couple isn't ending the marriage or civil partnership but wants the court to formally recognise the separation. The conditional order is the stage that used to be called the decree nisi before the law changed in 2022.
It confirms the court is satisfied you're entitled to the order you asked for, and it's the step before the final order that actually ends the marriage. The form sits within the wider framework of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Civil Partnership Act 2004, and the Family Procedure Rules 2010, which together govern how these applications run through the courts.
D84 can be used whether you started your original application on your own or jointly with your spouse or civil partner.
How to use this document
- Wait until you can apply. You can only submit Form D84 after the statutory reflection period has passed since your original application was issued, and after the acknowledgment of service stage is complete. The court won't consider a D84 filed too early, so check the timing carefully before you send it.
- Complete the right section for your application type. If you applied for the divorce, dissolution or judicial separation on your own, fill in the sole applicant section. If you applied jointly, both of you complete the joint section. Getting this wrong is a common reason forms get rejected and sent back, so take a moment to confirm which route applies.
- Deal with service if the respondent hasn't acknowledged. Where you're a sole applicant and the other party hasn't returned their acknowledgment of service, you'll need to attach evidence showing they were properly served with the application. Without that proof, the judge can't be satisfied the case is ready to progress.
- Confirm your statement in support. The form asks you to confirm the contents of your original application are still true, and to flag any changes or additions. This is your chance to correct minor errors or update circumstances that have shifted since you first applied, so read it through properly rather than rushing.
- Sign the statement of truth and submit. Signing the statement of truth is a formal declaration, and making a false one can amount to contempt of court. Once signed, file the form with HMCTS through the online divorce service where possible, or by post to the address given on the current version of the form.
Common questions
Q What's the difference between a conditional order and a final order?
A conditional order is the court's provisional decision that you're entitled to divorce, dissolution or judicial separation. It doesn't actually end the marriage or civil partnership. After a further waiting period, you apply separately for the final order, which is the step that legally dissolves the relationship. Form D84 only gets you to the conditional order stage.
Q Do I have to use Form D84 if I applied online?
If you started your application through the HMCTS online divorce service, the equivalent step is usually handled digitally within your online account rather than by submitting a paper D84. The paper form is mainly used for applications made on paper or in specific circumstances where the online system doesn't apply. Check your online case for the applicable prompt.
Q Can I apply for a conditional order if my spouse hasn't responded?
Yes, but you'll need to show the court that your spouse or civil partner was properly served with the application. This might involve filing a certificate of service or applying for deemed or alternative service first. Without evidence of service, the court can't proceed, so this often needs sorting out before the D84 stage.
Q Is there a court fee for filing Form D84?
The fee for the main divorce or dissolution application typically covers the conditional order and final order stages together, so a separate fee for D84 isn't usually required. Fees do change, though, and judicial separation has its own fee structure. Check gov.uk for the current amounts before you assume anything is included.
Q What happens after I submit Form D84?
A legal adviser at the court reviews your application and the supporting documents to check everything is in order. If it is, a judge pronounces the conditional order on a listed date and you'll receive a certificate confirming it. If something's missing or unclear, the court will write back asking for more information or corrections.
Q Can I change my mind after filing D84?
Yes, you can withdraw or pause the application before the conditional order is made, though the process depends on whether your spouse or civil partner agrees. Once the conditional order is granted, reversing it becomes significantly harder. If you're having second thoughts, it's worth pausing before filing rather than trying to unwind things later.
Q Do I need a solicitor to complete Form D84?
No, many people complete D84 themselves, especially where the application is uncontested and there are no complex financial or child arrangements issues running alongside. That said, if anything about your situation feels unclear or contested, getting guidance before you file can save you from delays and rejected forms further down the line.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm D84: Apply for a conditional order or judicial separation order (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovApply for a divorce (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSFamily Procedure Rules 2010justice.gov.uk
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.