Form D84 – Conditional order application

What is Form D84?

Form D84 is the application for a conditional order (previously called a decree nisi). The conditional order is the court’s confirmation that:

• Your divorce application is valid
• There’s no legal reason why you can’t divorce
• You’re entitled to proceed to the final order

The conditional order doesn’t end your marriage – you’re still legally married until the final order is granted.

Download Form D84

When can you apply?

You can apply for a conditional order 20 weeks after your divorce application was issued by the court.

For sole applications: You must wait until either:

• Your spouse has returned the acknowledgement of service, OR
• You’ve provided alternative evidence of service

For joint applications: Both applicants need to confirm they wish to proceed.

Apply online

If you started your divorce online, you can apply for the conditional order online too. The online service will prompt you when the 20-week period has passed.

Apply at: The same GOV.UK divorce service where you submitted your application.

Completing Form D84 (paper)

Section A: Sole applicants

Complete this section if you applied for divorce on your own.

1. Enter your full name

2. Confirm you’re applying for a conditional order

3. Confirm the acknowledgement of service status:

   • If filed: The court has the acknowledgement of service from your spouse
   • If not filed: You must provide evidence of service (Form FP6 certificate of service)

4. Confirm you recognise the signature on the acknowledgement of service (if applicable)

Section B: Joint applicants

Complete this section if you applied jointly with your spouse.

Both applicants must:

• Confirm you wish to proceed
• Sign the statement of truth

If one joint applicant no longer wants to proceed jointly, they can switch to a sole application.

Section C: Statement in support

Confirm:

• The contents of the divorce application remain true
• Whether you wish to make any changes or additions
• Your signature and date

Statement of truth

Sign and date the form. For joint applications, both parties must sign.

No additional fee

There’s no additional fee for applying for a conditional order. The fee is included in the original £612 divorce application fee.

Where to send Form D84

Online: Submit through the GOV.UK divorce service.

By post: Send to the court handling your divorce (address on your court documents), or:

HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution Service
PO Box 13226
Harlow
CM20 9UG

Include:

• Completed Form D84
• Copy of acknowledgement of service (marked “A”) if available
• Any evidence of service if acknowledgement wasn’t filed

What happens next

1. Court reviews your application (typically 1-3 weeks)
2. Conditional order granted – you receive the conditional order certificate
3. 6 week and 1 day wait before you can apply for the final order
4. Apply for final order using Form D36

If your spouse hasn’t responded

If your spouse hasn’t returned the acknowledgement of service, you can still proceed, but you’ll need to prove they received the divorce papers. Options include:

• Certificate of service (Form FP6): If you arranged personal service
• Deemed service: The court may accept service was effective
• Alternative service: Apply for the court to allow service by another method
• Dispensing with service: In exceptional circumstances

Speak to the court or get legal advice if your spouse isn’t responding.

Common mistakes

• Applying before the 20-week period has passed
• Not providing acknowledgement of service or evidence of service
• Missing signatures
• Not completing all required sections

Important notes

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