Form D10: responding to a divorce application

Form D10 is the acknowledgement of service: the respondent’s reply to a sole divorce application. It confirms you received the application and says whether you intend to dispute the divorce. There is no fee to respond, and you should reply within 14 days. If the court contacted you by email you can respond online; D10 is the paper version.

How do you fill in Form D10?

The D10 is short: nine questions, a statement of truth and a page for your contact details. Have the divorce application (form D8) in front of you, because several questions refer to it.

Questions 1 to 3: the application

Say whether it’s a divorce, dissolution or separation, confirm you’ve read the application, and give the date you received it. The date matters because your deadlines run from it.

Question 4: do you intend to dispute it?

Most people tick no. You can only dispute a divorce on narrow legal grounds: that the courts here don’t have jurisdiction, that the marriage was never valid, or that it has already legally ended. Not wanting the divorce, or disagreeing about money or children, is not a ground. Since April 2022 the court treats the statement that the marriage has broken down as conclusive.

If you do tick yes, you must file an answer on form D8B within 21 days of the date your acknowledgement was due. The answer fee is £240. If you don’t file it in time, the divorce usually continues as if you hadn’t disputed it.

Questions 5 and 6: jurisdiction

Your spouse will have ticked reasons why the courts of England and Wales can deal with the case. Check them in the application. If you agree, tick yes. If you live abroad or think the case belongs in another country, get legal advice before you answer.

Question 7: asking the court to consider your finances

This lets you ask the court to delay the final order until it is satisfied about your financial position after the divorce, using a separate Form B. It’s a specific protection, often relevant where you would lose pension or other benefits on divorce. It doesn’t start a financial claim. To do that you’d apply for a financial order on Form A.

Questions 8 and 9: other cases and language

List any other court proceedings about the marriage, including abroad, and choose English or Welsh for documents.

Statement of truth and your address

Sign and date the statement of truth. On the last page, give the address and email where you want documents sent. If you don’t want your spouse to know where you live, tick the box to keep your details private, leave the address blank and send form C8 instead.

What are the common mistakes on Form D10?

• Missing the 14 days. You can still respond late, but your spouse can ask the court to move on without you.
• Ticking that you’ll dispute the divorce because you don’t want it, or because you disagree about money. Neither is a legal ground.
• Assuming that if you don’t respond, the divorce stops. The court has ways to treat you as served and continue.
• Writing your new address on the form when you need it kept private. Use form C8 instead.
• Thinking that acknowledging the divorce settles the finances. It doesn’t. Money and property are dealt with separately.

What happens after you send Form D10?

Once you’ve acknowledged service, your spouse can apply for the conditional order once 20 weeks have passed since the application was issued (see form D84). You’ll be sent a copy of the conditional order, and then of the final order. If you dispute the divorce and file an answer, the court may list a hearing to deal with it.

If your spouse applied alone and doesn’t apply for the final order when they can, you can apply yourself after a further 3 months.

Where do you get Form D10?

Use the online response if the court emailed you the papers, because it’s quicker. Otherwise download D10 from GOV.UK and return it by email to [email protected] or by post to HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution service, PO Box 13226, Harlow CM20 9UG.

Open Form D10 on GOV.UK

We explain forms but never host them, so you always download the current version from GOV.UK.

When should you get help with Form D10?

Speak to a family solicitor before you respond if you think the courts here don’t have jurisdiction, if you were married abroad and doubt the marriage was valid, or if you stand to lose pension or other benefits when the marriage ends. If what you really disagree about is money or the children, a mediator can help you both work it out.

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Common questions

Sources

1. GOV.UK, Respond to a divorce, dissolution or judicial separation application: Form D10 (form version 05.24)
2. GOV.UK, Get a divorce: what happens after you apply
3. GOV.UK, Get a divorce: finalise your divorce
4. GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026

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This page is general information about court forms, not legal or financial advice. Forms, fees and rules change, so always download the current form from GOV.UK and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.