What is the D81 form?

[ez-toc] If you are applying for a consent order to finalise your divorce finances, one of the three documents you will need is Form D81. But what is the D81 form, and why does the court ask for it? The short answer is that it gives the judge a snapshot of both parties’ finances, so the court can check your agreed settlement is fair before it is approved. This guide explains exactly what Form D81 is, what information goes in it, how to fill it in correctly, and why honest disclosure matters so much. You will also see how our fixed-fee service includes professional D81 drafting, so the paperwork is done right the first time.

What is Form D81? Definition and purpose

Form D81, officially called the Statement of Information for a Consent Order, is the financial disclosure document the family court asks for when you apply for a consent order. Think of it as a financial snapshot that helps the judge understand both parties’ circumstances and decide whether your proposed agreement is fair. The D81 form does several jobs at once:

• It shows the judge your current financial position: income, assets, debts and pensions.
• It confirms that both of you have disclosed your finances honestly.
• It helps the court assess whether your agreement is fair and meets both parties’ needs.
• It provides evidence that neither party is being taken advantage of.
• It protects both of you from future financial claims once the order is approved.

A quick word on a common mix-up. Some people search for a “D18 form” when they mean D81. There is no D18 form for financial consent orders. The correct form is always Form D81, and searching the wrong term can lead you to outdated or incorrect information.

What information goes in Form D81?

Form D81 asks for a full summary of your financial situation. You provide information in the following sections.

1. Personal details

• Full names and dates of birth
• Current addresses
• Employment status and occupation
• Date of marriage and separation

2. Children and dependents

• Names and ages of all children
• Who the children live with
• Any child maintenance arrangements

3. Income and earnings

• Gross annual income from employment or self-employment
• Benefits received, such as Universal Credit or Child Benefit
• Pensions in payment
• Investment income or rental income
• Any other regular income

4. Property and capital assets

• Property: address, estimated value, mortgage balance and your share
• Savings: bank accounts, ISAs and building society accounts
• Investments: stocks, shares and bonds
• Life insurance: policies with surrender values
• Business interests: company shares or business ownership
• Vehicles: cars with significant value
• Valuables: jewellery, art or collections over £500

5. Pensions

• State pension entitlement
• Workplace pensions, both defined contribution and defined benefit
• Private pensions
• Current cash equivalent transfer values (CETV)

6. Liabilities and debts

• Mortgage balances
• Secured loans
• Credit cards and personal loans
• Overdrafts
• Any other outstanding debts

7. Outgoings and living expenses

• Monthly housing costs, mortgage or rent
• Utilities and council tax
• Regular household expenses
• Childcare costs

8. Future housing and income needs

• Where you plan to live after the separation
• Whether you will need to buy or rent
• Your future earning capacity
• Any health issues affecting work

Form D81 is only one of three documents. It is filed alongside Form A by consent and the draft consent order itself, and the figures need to match across all three.

How to fill in the D81 form, step by step

Completing Form D81 takes care and attention to detail. Here is how to approach it.

1. Download the current version. Get the latest Form D81 from GOV.UK. The form was updated in 2022, so make sure you are using the most recent version. If you want the detail on what changed, see Mediate UK’s guide to the new Form D81.
2. Gather your financial information. Before you start, collect bank statements, payslips, pension statements, property valuations and details of all debts. Having everything to hand makes the process much easier.
3. Complete all relevant sections. Work through each section methodically. Use current figures, ideally from within the last three months, be honest and accurate, include everything even if it seems minor, and get a professional valuation if you are unsure of a value.
4. Explain your proposed settlement. In the final section, set out how you have agreed to divide everything, who gets what and when transfers will happen. This needs to match your consent order exactly.
5. Review and sign. Both parties sign the D81 with a statement of truth, confirming the information is accurate to the best of your knowledge. This is a legal declaration, so accuracy matters.
6. Submit with your consent order package. Send two copies of your D81 to the court along with Form A and your consent order, and keep a copy for yourself. You will also pay the consent order court fee of £62 (as of July 2026). If you are on a low income or certain benefits, you may pay a reduced fee or nothing through Help with Fees.

“We draft Form D81 for every client as part of our fixed-fee consent order service. The D81 is the document that causes people the most worry, because they are unsure how much detail to give or which assets to include. We take the figures from your questionnaire, set them out in exactly the format the court expects, and check them against your paperwork, which is what prevents delays.” Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK

Why honest disclosure on Form D81 matters

Full and honest disclosure on Form D81 is not only about following the rules. It protects you, and it keeps your consent order from being challenged later. Here is why it matters.

The duty of full and frank disclosure

In family law, both parties have a legal duty to give full and frank disclosure of their financial circumstances. In practice, this means:

• You disclose all assets, income and debts, even ones you think are not relevant.
• You do not hide or undervalue assets to get a better settlement.
• You provide accurate valuations and up to date figures.
• If something changes before the order is sealed, you update your disclosure.

What happens if you do not disclose everything

If you fail to disclose assets or give false information on Form D81, the consequences can be serious.

Issue	Consequence
Hidden assets discovered	Your consent order can be set aside, or cancelled, and the case reopened
False information given	You may face contempt of court proceedings
Material non-disclosure	The court can order a completely different financial settlement
Deliberate deception	You may have to pay the other party’s legal costs for the new proceedings

The leading case of Livesey v Jenkins [1984] UKHL 3 established that material non-disclosure can lead to a consent order being set aside, even some time later. Being honest now protects you from complications down the line.

Form D81 vs Form E: what is the difference?

People often confuse Form D81 with Form E. Both are financial disclosure forms, but they are used in very different situations.

Aspect	Form D81	Form E
When used	Consent order applications, by agreement	Contested financial proceedings
Length	Shorter, around 23 pages	Longer, 30 or more pages
Detail required	Summary level	Extremely detailed
Supporting documents	Not usually required	Extensive documents required
Typical cost	£499 in our fixed-fee package	Often £1,000 to £3,000 or more with a solicitor
Purpose	Show the judge you have agreed fairly	Give full disclosure for the court to decide

If you have already agreed your finances, you only need Form D81, not the much longer Form E. This is one reason why reaching agreement through mediation or negotiation is quicker and less expensive than going to court, and it can help to understand how assets are split in a divorce before you settle.

Common mistakes on Form D81, and how to avoid them

Even when people complete Form D81 carefully, a few errors come up again and again.

• Using outdated property valuations. Valuations older than six months may be questioned. Use a recent estate agent valuation, or an online tool like Zoopla or Rightmove for a current estimate.
• Forgetting about all pensions. Include the state pension, workplace pensions from old jobs, and private pensions. Ask each provider for a current cash equivalent transfer value (CETV).
• Not disclosing joint debts. If you have a joint credit card or loan, disclose the full balance, not just your half. The court needs to see the total debt.
• Rounding figures too much. Do not round £47,382 to about £47,000. Use accurate figures from your statements, because vague numbers can look like you are hiding something.
• Leaving sections blank. If a section does not apply, write “N/A” or “None” rather than leaving it empty. This shows the court you have considered every section.
• Mismatching the consent order. The figures on your D81 must match your consent order. If the order says you are keeping £20,000 in savings, your D81 must show £20,000 in savings.

How long does Form D81 take to process?

Once you submit Form D81 with your consent order package, the timeline is usually:

• 4 to 6 weeks: the court processes your application and allocates it for a judge to review.
• Judge review: the judge reads your D81, consent order and Form A together.
• 1 to 2 weeks: you receive your sealed order, if approved, or any questions from the judge.

In total, allow around 6 to 10 weeks from submission to receiving your sealed consent order. This varies depending on how busy your local court is. You do not need to chase it, and if the judge has a query they will usually write to you rather than reject the application outright.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need supporting documents with my D81?

For consent order applications, you do not usually need to attach supporting documents like bank statements or payslips. The D81 form itself should contain accurate summaries. That said, keep all your supporting documents safe in case the court asks to see them.

Can I complete Form D81 myself?

Yes, you can download and complete Form D81 yourself. Many people find it confusing to know which figures to include, how to value assets correctly, and what level of detail the court expects, and errors or omissions can delay your consent order being approved. Our £499 service includes professional D81 drafting to keep it accurate.

What happens if I forget to include something on the D81?

If you genuinely forgot to include an asset or income source, rather than deliberately hiding it, you can usually submit an updated D81 to the court before the order is sealed. If the omission comes to light after the order is sealed, it could lead to the order being set aside, so it is far better to get it right the first time.

How accurate do property valuations need to be?

Use a realistic current market value for your property. An estate agent’s valuation, or an online tool like Zoopla or Rightmove, gives a good estimate, and the valuation should be recent, within the last six months. You do not need a formal RICS valuation unless your property is unusual or you and your ex-partner disagree significantly on its value.

Do we each fill in a separate D81?

Yes, each party completes their own Form D81 showing their individual financial circumstances. Both forms are submitted together with the consent order package, so the judge can see the complete financial picture for both sides.

Is there a D18 form?

No. There is no D18 form for financial consent orders. People sometimes type “D18” by mistake when they mean Form D81, the Statement of Information for a Consent Order. Always search and file using the correct name, Form D81, so you are working from current information.

How much does it cost to file the D81 and consent order?

The consent order court fee is £62 as of July 2026, and you pay this when you submit your D81, Form A and consent order together. Drafting the documents is separate. Our network drafts all three for a fixed fee of £499, and you may pay a reduced court fee through Help with Fees if you are on a low income.