How to Submit a Divorce or Dissolution Application Using MyHMCTS

Key Takeaways

Solicitor Guidance

This guide explains how solicitors and legal representatives can submit and manage divorce and civil partnership dissolution applications using MyHMCTS, the online case management system operated by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

It covers the full process under the “new law” divorce regime, from account setup and case creation through to submission, payment, service options, and post-submission case management.

Before You Start

Before you can issue or manage a divorce or dissolution application on MyHMCTS, both you and your organisation must complete the required onboarding steps.

1. Registering Your Organisation

Your firm must be registered with MyHMCTS. If your organisation already has an account, you will need to contact the firm’s MyHMCTS administrator to request user access.

2. Setting Up Your User Account

Each solicitor or staff member must have their own individual MyHMCTS user account linked to the organisation. Once created, you can sign in using your registered email address and password.

Using the Correct Portal

It is essential that you use the solicitor portal, not the citizen portal:

• Organisation management:
  https://manage-org.platform.hmcts.net
• Case management:
  https://manage-case.platform.hmcts.net

If you are unable to locate your organisation during registration or encounter access issues, contact MyHMCTSsupport@justice.gov.uk so the HMCTS team can review your account and organisation setup.

Important Information on D11 Applications

If you intend to make a D11 general application (for example, for alternative service, deemed service, or dispensed service), you must not upload the D11 during the initial divorce or dissolution application.

Instead, you should:

1. Submit the divorce or dissolution application first; and
2. Make the D11 application afterwards using the general application function within MyHMCTS.

Sole and Joint Applications

Divorce and civil partnership dissolution applications can be made as either:

• a sole application, or
• a joint application.

This guide focuses on sole applications. Separate guidance applies to joint applications.

This article also explains how to:

• submit notices of change or acting
• stop representing a client
• respond to requests for information from the court

The Case List

When you sign into MyHMCTS, you will be taken to the case list screen.

From here, you can:

• view all applications issued by your firm
• search for existing cases
• create new divorce or dissolution applications

All divorce and dissolution applications are issued by the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC).

When creating a new case, you must ensure you select the correct case type:

• New Law Case (this applies to all divorce and dissolution cases issued under the post-1 April 2022 regime)

What You Will Need to Complete the Application

During the application process, you will be required to:

• complete a digital version of Form D8
• upload a copy of the marriage or civil partnership certificate
• upload any supporting documents (for example, certified translations or deed polls)
• enter payment details (Payment by Account or Help with Fees)
• submit the application digitally

Searching for a Case

You can search for existing cases using:

• the filter options on the left-hand side of the case list; or
• the search bar in the top-right corner of the screen.

You may search by:

• the 16-digit divorce case number
• party names
• your internal solicitor reference

When entering a case reference number, it must be in the correct format:

• a 16-digit number, with or without a hyphen
• no spaces at the end of the reference

Under the new divorce law, this 16-digit reference number is used from issue through to final order.

Creating a New Case

To start a new application, select “Create case” and choose the following options:

• Jurisdiction: Family Divorce
• Case type: New Law Case
• Event: Apply – Divorce or Dissolution

Select Start, then confirm whether the application is for a divorce or dissolution and choose Sole Application.

Solicitor and Organisation Details

As the applicant’s solicitor, you will be asked to confirm:

• your firm’s name and registered address
• your solicitor reference (recommended for easier case tracking)
• an email address for correspondence

If you agree to future communications by email, all correspondence will be sent electronically rather than by post.

You must search for and select your organisation from the MyHMCTS list. Only organisations registered with MyHMCTS will appear, and only one address per firm can be selected.

If you do not select an organisation at this stage, you will receive an error message when attempting to submit the application.

Search Tips

• Avoid including “solicitors”, “Ltd”, or “chambers”
• Use a distinctive word from your firm’s name
• Try partial names if the full firm name does not appear
• Use postcode searches without spaces (for example, DE12MO)
• Ensure the postcode matches the one registered with MyHMCTS

Selecting your organisation allows the case to be shared internally with colleagues at Parachute Law.

Statement of Irretrievable Breakdown

You must confirm whether the marriage or civil partnership has broken down irretrievably.

You can only proceed with the application if you select Yes.

Applicant Details

You will be asked to provide the applicant’s personal details. While some questions are optional, Parachute Law recommends completing as much information as possible to avoid delays.

You will need to provide:

• the applicant’s full legal name (including any middle names)
• confirmation of whether their name differs from the marriage certificate
• contact details (email address is mandatory)
• the applicant’s home address (UK or overseas)

If the applicant’s name differs from the marriage certificate, you must explain why and provide evidence where required.

You may also request that the applicant’s contact details be kept confidential. If selected, a confidential application tab is created and no C8 form is required.

Respondent Details

You must provide the respondent’s:

• full legal name
• name as it appears on the marriage certificate
• home address (required even if they are legally represented)

If the respondent is represented by a solicitor, you should provide the solicitor’s full details. If the firm is registered with MyHMCTS, all notifications will be sent electronically. If not, documents will be issued in paper form.

If the respondent’s address is unknown, applications for alternative or dispensed service can be made after submission using the general application process.

Marriage Certificate and Jurisdiction

You will be required to enter details from the marriage or civil partnership certificate, including:

• the date of marriage (applications cannot be made within one year of marriage)
• the parties’ names as shown on the certificate
• the place of marriage

You must also confirm the parties’ legal connections to the UK, selecting all applicable options.

Other Proceedings and Financial Orders

You may confirm whether there are any existing or previous court proceedings relating to the divorce or dissolution.

You will also be asked whether the applicant intends to apply for a financial order, either for themselves or for any children.

Any application for costs must be made separately using a D11 application.

Uploading Supporting Documents

You should upload a clear image of the marriage or civil partnership certificate, ensuring all four corners are visible.

Additional documents may include:

• certified translations
• deed polls or change of name documents
• any other supporting evidence referred to in the application

Documents can be uploaded in multiple files, with a maximum file size of 500MB. Clear file naming is recommended.

While it is possible to submit an application without uploading the certificate in limited circumstances, this often results in delays.

Saving and Reviewing the Application

Before submission, you may:

• save the application as a draft
• generate a draft PDF for client review
• amend any responses using the “Change” option

The draft application appears in the Documents tab and is titled draft-divorce-application.

Submitting the Application

To submit the case, select Sign and Submit from the “Next steps” menu.

You must complete the statement of truth carefully, as there is no wet signature. You can also:

• indicate whether the case is urgent
• choose between court service and solicitor service

If the respondent lives overseas, solicitor service is mandatory.

In genuinely high-profile matters, you may request “lock and key” status with appropriate supporting evidence.

Payment

The court fee is £612, payable via:

• Payment by Account (PBA); or
• an online Help with Fees reference

If payment via PBA fails (for example, due to insufficient funds), the application cannot proceed.

Once payment is successful, the case moves to Submitted status.

After Submission

Once submitted, the case can be tracked via the History tab. You will have access to all case details, including:

• applicant and respondent information
• service method
• documents
• payment status

Further applications, including D11 general applications, can be submitted through MyHMCTS as required.

Notices of Change and Acting

You may submit a notice of change if:

• you are taking over representation; or
• you did not previously have access to the case

A notice of acting may be submitted where a party was previously unrepresented.

Certain cases—such as judicial separation proceedings and divorces issued before 1 April 2022—must still be handled by email or paper.

Getting Help with MyHMCTS

For assistance with case administration, contact the CTSC via webchat, telephone, or the online contact form.

For account access issues:

• contact your organisation’s MyHMCTS administrator; or
• email MyHMCTSsupport@justice.gov.uk

Parachute Law recommends using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, keeping browsers up to date, and bookmarking MyHMCTS only after signing in successfully.

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