By Sital Somaiya, Founder and Solicitor. Last reviewed 15 October 2026.
Key points
- If your spouse applies for divorce on their own, you are the respondent and the court will send you the papers.
- You should complete the acknowledgement of service within 14 days of receiving them.
- You cannot stop a no-fault divorce because you disagree with it. You can only dispute it on narrow legal grounds.
- Ignoring the papers does not stop the divorce, but it can slow it down and leaves you less involved.
Receiving divorce papers is often a shock, even when you knew it was coming. The good news is that responding is straightforward, and doing so does not mean you agree to anything about money or children. This guide explains what the acknowledgement is, what it asks and how to protect yourself.
In this guide
- What the acknowledgement of service is
- The deadline
- What the form asks
- Can you dispute the divorce?
- What happens if you do nothing
- Protect your position while the divorce goes ahead
- What comes next
- Frequently asked questions
- Talk to us
What the acknowledgement of service is
When your spouse makes a sole application, the court needs to know you have received it. The acknowledgement of service is your response. It confirms you have the papers and tells the court whether you intend to dispute the divorce. It is usually completed online using the access code in the court’s email or letter, or on paper using form D10.
The deadline
You should respond within 14 days of receiving the papers. If you miss it, the divorce does not stop, but the court may need extra evidence that you received them, which delays things for everyone. If you need more time to take advice, respond to confirm receipt and get advice straight away.
What the form asks
| Question | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Have you received the application? | Confirming receipt is not the same as agreeing to anything else |
| Do you intend to dispute the divorce? | You can only dispute on the narrow grounds below |
| Do you agree the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction? | Relevant if either of you lives abroad or has strong ties elsewhere |
| Your contact details | Where future documents will be sent. You can ask for them to be kept confidential if you have safety concerns. |
Can you dispute the divorce?
Under no-fault divorce, your spouse’s statement that the marriage has broken down irretrievably is conclusive. You cannot dispute it because you think the marriage can be saved, or because you do not want a divorce. You can only dispute on grounds such as:
- Jurisdiction: the courts of England and Wales do not have power to deal with the divorce
- Validity: the marriage was not legally valid
- The marriage has already ended, for example through an earlier divorce
If you tick that you intend to dispute, you must then file a formal answer setting out your case within the time limit given in the court’s papers. If you do not, the divorce can proceed. Disputing without proper grounds is very unlikely to succeed, so take advice first.
What happens if you do nothing
| If the court cannot confirm you received the papers | What your spouse can do |
|---|---|
| There is evidence you received them, such as a text reply | Apply for deemed service, asking the court to treat the papers as served |
| The usual methods have not worked | Apply for alternative service, for example by social media or through a relative |
| You are avoiding service | Ask a court bailiff or process server to deliver them in person |
| You cannot be found at all after proper attempts | Apply to dispense with service, in rare cases |
In every case the divorce goes ahead. Responding keeps you informed, avoids delay and avoids any argument about whether you were served.
Protect your position while the divorce goes ahead
The acknowledgement deals only with the divorce itself. Money, property and children are separate, and there are things you may need to do now:
- If the home is in your spouse’s sole name, you have statutory home rights to live there while you are married. You can protect them by registering a notice at HM Land Registry, which helps stop a sale or remortgage without your knowledge. See our matrimonial home rights guide.
- Financial claims stay open for both of you until they are dealt with by a court order. You do not have to wait for your spouse to start; you can apply for a financial order yourself.
- Gather your financial information early: bank statements, pension values, payslips and mortgage details. You will need them for disclosure. See our guide to Form E.
- Arrangements for children are separate. If you cannot agree, you will usually need to attend a MIAM before applying to court.
- Leaving the home does not end your rights to it, but it can affect practical arrangements, especially for children. Take advice before moving out.
What comes next
After you acknowledge, the 20-week reflection period continues from the date the court issued the application. Your spouse can then apply for the conditional order, and later the final order. If they do not apply for the final order, you can apply yourself three months after they first could. Our divorce timeline explains each stage.
An example
Lisa received an email from the court saying her husband had applied for divorce. She did not want the divorce but understood she could not stop it. She acknowledged within a week, confirming she would not dispute it. Because the house in Romford was in her husband’s sole name, her solicitor registered her home rights at HM Land Registry the same week, and wrote to start financial disclosure.
This is an illustrative example, not a real case.
Frequently asked questions
Does responding mean I agree with everything in the application?
No. The acknowledgement confirms you received the papers and tells the court whether you intend to dispute the divorce on legal grounds. It does not commit you to anything about money, property or children.
Can I stop the divorce if I do not want it?
No. Under no-fault divorce, your spouse’s statement that the marriage has broken down is conclusive. You can only dispute it on narrow legal grounds such as jurisdiction or validity.
What if I miss the 14-day deadline?
Respond as soon as you can. The divorce will not stop, but your spouse may need to apply to the court about service, which causes delay.
Do I need a solicitor to complete the acknowledgement?
Not usually for the form itself. Advice is valuable on protecting the home, your financial claims and arrangements for children, which the acknowledgement does not deal with.
My spouse made allegations in the application. Should I respond to them?
Under no-fault divorce no reasons are needed, so allegations should not be in the application. If something concerns you, take advice rather than responding through the acknowledgement.
Sources
- Respond to a divorce application, GOV.UK
- Family Law Act 1996, section 30, legislation.gov.uk
- Family Procedure Rules, Part 7, Ministry of Justice
Talk to us
Signature Law advises respondents as well as applicants, in Romford, Essex and East London. See where you are in the process with our divorce route planner, or speak to our divorce solicitors.
Request a callback, or call 01708 398 851.
