Consent Order Checklist: Everything You Need Before You Submit (2026)

You've agreed the financial terms with your ex. You've decided to get a consent order. Now you need to make sure everything is in place before you submit — because a single missing document, an unsigned form, or a forgotten pension CETV can send your application back to the starting line and add weeks of delay.

This checklist walks you through every item you need, in the order you need it. Use it as a practical tool — print it out or save it, and tick each item off as you go.

Phase 1: Before You Start

✓	Item	Details
☐	Conditional Order granted	You cannot submit a consent order application until the Conditional Order (formerly Decree Nisi) has been granted. If you're still in the 20-week reflection period, use this time to prepare everything else.
☐	Both parties agree on financial terms	A consent order requires the agreement of both parties. If you can't agree, you'll need mediation or contested proceedings — a different process entirely. See: Consent Order vs Financial Order
☐	Neither party has remarried	If either party remarries before the consent order is sealed, they permanently lose the right to apply for most financial orders. If remarriage is being considered, treat the consent order as urgent.

Phase 2: Gather Your Financial Information

✓	Item	Details
☐	Income details (both parties)	Recent payslips (last 3 months), tax returns if self-employed, benefits statements. Both parties' income is required for Form D81.
☐	Property valuations	Current market value and outstanding mortgage balance for every property owned by either party. For higher-value properties, obtain 2–3 estate agent appraisals. For modest equity, Zoopla/Rightmove estimates may suffice.
☐	Pension CETVs (all pensions, both parties)	Request Cash Equivalent Transfer Values from every pension provider — this is free but can take 3–6 weeks. Request these on day one. Your Form D81 cannot be completed without them. See: Pension Sharing in Divorce
☐	Savings and investment balances	Current balances for all bank accounts, ISAs, Premium Bonds, shares, crypto, and any other capital assets — both parties.
☐	Debt statements	Outstanding balances for all debts — mortgage, credit cards, loans, overdrafts, hire purchase, student loans. Note whether each debt is sole or joint. See: How to Divide Debt in a Divorce
☐	Housing arrangements	Where each party will live after the order is made. Rent, ownership, or staying with family — the judge needs to see that both parties' housing needs are met.
☐	Children's arrangements (if applicable)	Living arrangements, schooling, and how child maintenance is being handled (private arrangement or CMS).

Phase 3: Prepare Your Documents

✓	Document	Details
☐	Draft Consent Order	The legal document setting out your agreed financial terms — recitals, operative clauses, property transfer provisions, pension sharing annex (if applicable), and clean break dismissal clauses. Must follow the format expected by the Family Court. See: How to Get a Consent Order
☐	Form D81 (version 04.25)	Statement of Information for a Consent Order. Both parties' financial details on one form. Every field completed — use "Nil" or "£0" where applicable, never leave blank. Section 10 must explain why the proposed settlement is fair. Note: if one party has safety concerns about sharing their address, separate Form D81 submissions can be arranged — contact the court for guidance. See: Form D81 Field-by-Field Guide
☐	Form A (by consent)	Notice of Intention to Proceed with a Financial Application. When submitted by consent, the court fee is £62 (compared to £321 for contested financial remedy applications).
☐	Pension Sharing Annex (if applicable)	Required if pensions are being shared. Must specify the pension provider, the percentage to be shared, and the implementation period. Errors here are one of the top reasons consent orders are rejected.
☐	Copy of the Conditional Order	Include a copy with your submission to confirm the divorce has reached the Conditional Order stage.

Phase 4: Review and Sign

✓	Item	Details
☐	Both parties have reviewed the Draft Consent Order	Both the applicant and respondent should read the order carefully before signing. Check that names, addresses, property details, pension figures, and financial terms are accurate and consistent with the Form D81.
☐	Draft Consent Order signed by both parties	Both signatures are required. Without both, the application cannot proceed.
☐	Form D81 Statement of Truth signed by both parties	Both parties must sign confirming the financial information is accurate and complete. This is a legal declaration — false information is contempt of court.
☐	Cross-check D81 figures against the Consent Order	Property values, pension CETVs, lump sums, and debt figures must match exactly between the two documents. Inconsistencies trigger queries.

Phase 5: Submit

✓	Item	Details
☐	Choose submission route	Solicitors: must submit via MyHMCTS Financial Remedy portal (digital). Litigants in person: submit by post to HMCTS Financial Remedy, PO Box 12746, Harlow, CM20 9QZ — or check if your court accepts digital filing. Digital is faster (saves 2–4 weeks).
☐	Court fee paid: £62	Standard HMCTS fee as of 13 July 2026. If on a low income or receiving benefits, check eligibility for Help with Fees (Form EX160) at gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees.
☐	Submission pack complete	Final check — your pack should contain: (1) Signed Draft Consent Order, (2) Signed Form D81, (3) Form A (by consent), (4) Pension Sharing Annex if applicable, (5) Copy of Conditional Order, (6) £62 court fee.

Phase 6: After Submission

✓	Item	Details
☐	Keep copies of everything	Retain copies of all submitted documents. If the court queries your application, you'll need to refer back to exactly what was submitted.
☐	Wait for court response (8–12 weeks typical)	A District Judge reviews on paper — no hearing needed. If approved, you'll receive the sealed order. If the judge has queries, you'll receive a Letter of Requisition. See: How Long Does a Consent Order Take?
☐	Respond to any court queries promptly	If you receive a Letter of Requisition, respond quickly and thoroughly. No additional court fee is required for resubmission. Each round-trip adds 4–8 weeks.
☐	Receive sealed order — store it safely	The sealed consent order is the legally binding document. Keep the original safe — you'll need it if you ever need to enforce the terms.
☐	Do NOT apply for Final Order before consent order is sealed	Finalising the divorce before the financial order is in place can have serious consequences — including losing pension survivor benefits and the right to make certain financial claims if you remarry.

Phase 7: After the Order Is Sealed

✓	Item	Details
☐	Implement the terms of the order	Property transfers, lump sum payments, and other actions specified in the order must be completed as stated and within the deadlines set.
☐	Notify pension providers (if pension sharing)	Send a copy of the sealed order to the relevant pension provider(s). Pension sharing takes effect 28 days after the Final Order is granted, and the provider has up to 4 months to implement.
☐	Remortgage if required	If the order requires one party to remortgage into their sole name, this should be completed within the deadline specified in the order.
☐	Close joint accounts and apply for Notice of Disassociation	Close all joint bank accounts, credit cards, and overdrafts. Then apply to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion for a Notice of Disassociation to remove the financial link from your credit file. Having a copy of your sealed consent order to hand can support your application — it confirms that all financial ties have been formally severed by the court.
☐	Apply for the Final Order	Once the consent order is sealed, you can safely apply for the Final Order (formerly Decree Absolute) to complete the divorce.

Quick Reference: What Goes in Your Submission Pack

Document	Required?	Notes
Draft Consent Order (signed by both parties)	Yes	The core document — your agreed financial terms in legal format
Form D81 (signed by both parties)	Yes	Financial disclosure — version 04.25. Every field completed.
Form A (by consent)	Yes	Notice of Intention. No separate fee.
Pension Sharing Annex	If applicable	Required only if pensions are being shared
Copy of Conditional Order	Yes	Proves divorce has reached the right stage
Court fee (£62)	Yes	As of 13 July 2026. Help with Fees may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most common reason consent orders get sent back?

Incomplete Form D81 — specifically, blank fields, missing pension CETVs, and an empty Section 10 (justification). The second most common reason is inconsistency between the Form D81 figures and the Draft Consent Order. Cross-checking both documents before submission prevents most returns.

Can I submit before the Conditional Order is granted?

No. The court cannot process your consent order application until the Conditional Order has been granted. However, you can (and should) prepare everything during the 20-week reflection period so you're ready to submit immediately after the Conditional Order.

Do I need a solicitor to submit a consent order?

No. You can prepare and submit the application yourself (as a litigant in person), use an automated platform, or use an online solicitor service. The court doesn't require solicitor involvement for consent orders. What matters is that the documents are correct, complete, and fair. See: How Much Does a Consent Order Cost?

What if my ex won't sign?

A consent order requires both parties' signatures. If your ex refuses, your options are mediation (to try to reach agreement) or contested financial remedy proceedings (Form A, £321 court fee, significantly more expensive and time-consuming). See: Consent Order vs Financial Order

How long does the whole process take?

From submission to sealed order: typically 8–12 weeks. From start to finish (including preparation): 3–6 months. The biggest variable is how quickly you gather CETVs and agree terms. See: How Long Does a Consent Order Take?

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This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. ConsentReady is an automated legal document generation platform, not a regulated law firm. Court fees and Form D81 version referenced are correct as of August 2026. For advice specific to your situation, consider consulting a family solicitor.