Form FP6 UK: Certificate of Service in Family Cases
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When you issue or respond to proceedings in the family court, the other side needs to receive the paperwork properly, and the court needs evidence that this has happened. Form FP6 is the document you complete to record that service has taken place.
It captures the essentials: which papers went out, the person who received them, the date, the location, and the method used. Getting this record right matters more than people often realise. If the court cannot be satisfied that documents were served correctly, hearings can be adjourned, orders can be set aside, and cases can stall for weeks.
This page walks through what FP6 covers, how service works in family proceedings in England and Wales, and the practical points worth thinking about before you file the certificate with the court.
What this document is
Form FP6 is the standard certificate of service used in family proceedings in England and Wales. Its purpose is straightforward: to give the court a clear, signed confirmation that court documents reached the intended recipient. The form asks you to state what was served (for example an application, a notice of hearing, or a statement), who received it, and the exact date, time, place and method of service.
You then sign to confirm the information is correct. The certificate sits alongside the Family Procedure Rules, which set out how different categories of document must be served and who is responsible for doing it. In some cases the court itself handles service, and in others the responsibility falls on the applicant or their representative.
Either way, once service is complete, an FP6 is usually needed so the court file shows a proper record. Without it, the judge may be unable to proceed at the next hearing.
How to use this document
- Gather the service details before you start. Before filling in FP6, collect the facts you will need to record. This means the full name of the person served, the address or location, the exact date and time of service, the method you used, and a clear description of every document that went out in that bundle. Accuracy at this stage saves problems later. 2. Identify the correct method of service used. Family court documents can be served in several ways, including personal service, first class post, document exchange, or leaving the papers at a permitted address. The rules sometimes require a specific method depending on the type of document and the recipient. Make sure the method you tick on the form matches what actually happened. 3. Complete Form FP6 accurately and in full. Work through each section of the certificate carefully. List every document served, not just the headline application. Record the address of service precisely, and be clear about who physically handed over or sent the papers. If you used an agent or process server, their details may need to go on the form rather than yours. 4. Sign, date and keep a copy for your records. The person who carried out service (or who arranged it) signs the certificate. Keep a copy for yourself before submitting the original to the court. Your copy is useful evidence if any later dispute arises about whether service was properly effected or when the clock started running for the other side to respond. 5. File the certificate with the correct family court. Send or deliver the completed FP6 to the court dealing with your case, quoting the case number. Some courts accept filing by email or through online portals, while others prefer post or in-person delivery. Check the court's current guidance on gov.uk, and file promptly so the court has the certificate before the next hearing.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q Who is responsible for serving documents in family proceedings?
It depends on the type of case and the stage it has reached. In some family matters the court arranges service, particularly for divorce and certain children proceedings. In other situations the applicant or their legal representative must arrange service and then file an FP6 to prove it was done. The Family Procedure Rules set out who has the duty, so it is worth checking before assuming the court will handle it.
Q When are documents treated as having been served by post?
Under the Family Procedure Rules, documents sent by first class post are generally deemed served on the second day after posting, provided that day is a business day. If it falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the deeming date usually moves to the next business day. This matters because response deadlines and hearing preparation windows often run from the deemed date of service rather than the actual date the recipient opens the envelope.
Q What counts as personal service?
Personal service means physically handing the documents to the intended recipient. It is the most reliable method and is required in certain situations, such as when serving children or protected parties through their guardian or litigation friend. A process server can carry out personal service on your behalf. If you use one, their details and witness evidence of service should be recorded on the FP6.
Q What happens if I serve documents out of hours?
If personal service takes place after 5pm on a business day, or at any point over a weekend or bank holiday, the service is usually treated as taking effect on the next business day for the purpose of calculating deadlines. This can affect when the other party's time to respond starts. It is a technical point but one that can make a real difference in tight timetables.
Q What if the person I need to serve cannot be found?
If the recipient's address is unknown or they are deliberately avoiding service, you may need to apply to the court for permission to serve by an alternative method, or for service to be dispensed with altogether. The court will want to see what steps you have already taken to locate the person. These applications involve separate procedures, so legal guidance at that stage is often useful.
Q Do I still need to file FP6 if the court served the documents?
Usually no. Where the court carries out service itself, the court creates its own record on the file and an FP6 from you is not required. The form is used where service is your responsibility, either personally or through a representative or process server. If you are unsure who served the documents in your case, contact the court office and ask before filing anything.
Q Can I be penalised for incorrect service?
Improper service can have real consequences. A hearing may be adjourned, costs may be awarded against you, or an order obtained without proper service may be set aside on application. The court expects parties to take service seriously. If you realise a mistake has been made, it is almost always better to raise it with the court and remedy it rather than hope it goes unnoticed.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm FP6: Certificate of service (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSFamily Procedure Rules 2010, Part 6 (Service)justice.gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSFamily court forms on gov.ukgov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether your service counts as valid?
Service in family proceedings has technical rules around method, timing and who is responsible, and a small slip can derail a hearing. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your FP6 and the steps you have taken, based on what you describe on the call.
- A plain-English walkthrough of how service rules apply to what you describe
- Practical perspective on whether your method and timing are likely to satisfy the court
- What to watch out for before filing the certificate in your specific situation
- Clarity on your next steps if something has gone wrong with service
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.