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Form D151 UK: Register a Maintenance Order (2025)

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Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
When separated parents or former spouses need the family court to formally record an arrangement for ongoing financial support, Form D151 is the route used in England and Wales. It allows a maintenance order to be registered with the family court, which matters because a registered order is far easier to track, vary and enforce if payments later fall into arrears. The form is relevant whether the payments relate to a child, a former spouse or civil partner, or ongoing spousal maintenance following a divorce. Getting the details right on this form can save months of back-and-forth with the court office, so it pays to understand what is being asked and why before you start filling it in. This page walks through what D151 does, how the process fits together, and the practical points most people trip up on.

What this document is

Form D151 is a family court application used to register a maintenance order so that the court holds an official record of what one party has agreed or been ordered to pay the other. Registration is usually linked to duties under the Child Support Act 1991, which places a financial responsibility on parents to contribute towards the upkeep of their children, but the form also covers spousal maintenance situations arising from divorce or dissolution.

The form captures the basic identifying information the court needs: who the applicant is, who the paying party is, where each person lives, the sum involved, and how payments are to be made (for example weekly, monthly, by standing order or through the court's collection service). Once registered, the order can be enforced through the family court if the paying party stops complying, and either party can apply back to the court to vary the amount if circumstances change.

D151 is effectively the administrative gateway that turns a private arrangement or existing order into something the court can act on.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm you have a maintenance order or agreement to register. Before completing D151, make sure there is an underlying order or agreement that can be registered. This might be a financial order made as part of divorce proceedings, a consent order, or a separate maintenance arrangement. Without this foundation document, the registration application has nothing to attach to.
  2. Gather the details of both parties. You will need full names, current addresses and contact details for the applicant and the paying party, along with details of any children covered by the order. Double-check spelling and postcodes, because mismatches between documents are one of the most common reasons court staff return a form for correction.
  3. Set out the payment terms clearly. The form asks how much is to be paid, how often, and by what method. Be specific about the start date, the frequency (weekly, monthly or otherwise), and whether payments go directly between parties or through the court. If the original order specifies these terms, mirror the wording rather than paraphrasing it.
  4. Submit the form to the family court. File D151 with the appropriate family court, enclosing a copy of the underlying maintenance order and any supporting paperwork. A court fee typically applies, so check gov.uk for the current amount and for any fee remission you may qualify for based on income or benefits.
  5. Serve and follow up with the other party. Depending on the circumstances, the court may notify the paying party, or you may need to ensure they receive a copy. Keep your own copy of everything filed. If payments stop or fall behind after registration, you can return to the family court to apply for enforcement.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q Who can apply to register a maintenance order using Form D151?
The form is generally used by a parent receiving maintenance for a child, or by a former spouse or civil partner receiving spousal maintenance, who wants the family court to hold a formal record of the order. It is typically the receiving party who applies, since they are the one who will benefit from having the order registered for enforcement purposes if payments later stop.
Q Is there a court fee for filing Form D151?
Yes, a fee usually applies when registering a maintenance order with the family court. Fees change periodically, so check gov.uk for the current amount before you file. If you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for help with fees, which can reduce or remove the cost entirely. Apply for fee remission at the same time as filing.
Q What is the difference between a maintenance order and a Child Maintenance Service arrangement?
The Child Maintenance Service is a government body that calculates and, in some cases, collects child maintenance administratively. A maintenance order, by contrast, is made by a court, often as part of divorce or separation proceedings, and can cover children, a former spouse, or both. The two systems can overlap, but D151 relates to court-made orders rather than CMS assessments.
Q Can a registered maintenance order be changed later?
Yes. If circumstances change, for example a change in income, employment, or the needs of a child, either party can apply to the family court to vary the order. Registration does not freeze the amount forever. The court will look at current circumstances and decide whether a variation is appropriate. Keeping evidence of any financial change will help support an application to vary.
Q What happens if the paying party stops making payments?
Because the order is registered with the family court, the receiving party can apply for enforcement. The court has various tools available, including attachment of earnings orders and other enforcement methods. Registration is what makes these routes straightforward to pursue, which is one of the main practical reasons to file D151 rather than relying on an informal arrangement.
Q Do I need a solicitor to complete Form D151?
It is possible to complete and file D151 without legal representation, particularly where the underlying order is clear and both parties agree on the terms. That said, if there is any dispute about the amount, the terms, or enforcement, speaking to someone with legal experience before filing can help you avoid errors that delay the registration.
Q Does registering the order affect ongoing contact with children?
No. Maintenance and child arrangements (where a child lives and when they see each parent) are legally separate issues. Registering a maintenance order through D151 only concerns the financial aspect. Contact and residence arrangements are dealt with under different procedures and forms, and financial matters cannot be used to restrict or influence contact.
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.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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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.