Form D440 UK: Find a Lost Decree Absolute

What this document is

Form D440 is an application made to the Central Family Court asking staff to search the central record of every decree absolute granted in England and Wales. The form exists because divorces are pronounced in many different courts across the country, and the original file may be archived, transferred, or difficult to locate years after the event.

The Central Index is the single searchable record that can confirm whether a decree absolute was granted and provide a sealed copy if it was. You would typically use Form D440 when you cannot find your own copy, the court that originally handled the case cannot assist, or you are not entirely sure which court dealt with the matter.

The application is governed by the Family Procedure Rules 2010, which set the framework for family proceedings in England and Wales. A search fee applies, and the amount depends on whether you can supply a case number or only an approximate date range.

If the search finds the record, the court posts a copy of the decree absolute to the address you provide. If nothing is found, you receive a 'no trace' certificate confirming that no record exists for the details you supplied.

How to use this document

1. Gather the information you have. Before filling anything in, collect the full names of both parties to the marriage (including any previous surnames), the date and place of the marriage, the approximate date of separation, the name of the court where the petition was filed if you can remember it, and any case reference you still have. The more accurate the detail, the quicker and cheaper the search tends to be. 2. Decide the search period. If you know the case number, the fee is lower and the search is straightforward. If you do not, you will need to specify a range of years for the court to examine. The fee is charged per block of years searched, so narrowing the window as tightly as you reasonably can helps keep the cost down. Think carefully about when the decree is likely to have been made absolute rather than when the petition was issued. 3. Complete Form D440. Fill in the applicant's details, the respondent's details, and where relevant the co-respondent's name. Add the marriage date, separation date, petition filing date, court, and case number if known. Record the date the decree nisi was pronounced and the date it was made absolute, to the extent you can recall them. Provide your current address, telephone number, and your solicitor's details if you are using one. 4. Arrange payment and submit. The current fee is set by HM Courts and Tribunals Service and should be checked on gov.uk before you send anything, as it changes from time to time. Payment can be made by debit or credit card, or by cheque or postal order made payable to 'HM Courts and Tribunals Service'. Send the completed form and payment details to the Central Family Court at the address on the form. 5. Wait for the outcome and keep the result safe. Processing times vary depending on court workload and the scope of the search. If the record is found, a sealed copy of the decree absolute is posted to the address you supplied. If no record is found, you receive a 'no trace' certificate, which itself can be useful evidence for some purposes. Either way, store the document carefully, ideally scanned as well as in hard copy.

Common questions