Consent orders (recording an agreement) at the family court in Staffordshire
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-02
How this application works
A consent order turns an agreed financial settlement on divorce or dissolution into a binding court order — without either party attending court. You file a short draft order setting out what you have agreed (property, pensions, savings, maintenance) plus form D81, the statement of information, giving a snapshot of both parties' finances. A judge checks the agreement is fair to both sides and to any children; if so the order is sealed and becomes enforceable. Without a consent order, financial claims stay open indefinitely after divorce — many people seal one even after an amicable split.
- Form: Consent order + D81 — gov.uk
- Fee: £62 (consent order) — Help with Fees (EX160) if on a low income
- Where to file: Stoke-on-Trent Combined Court, Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 3BP
- Our full guide to Stoke-on-Trent Combined Court
What happens after you file
1. Agree the terms in writing (mediation MOU, solicitor negotiation, or directly). 2. Draft the order (a solicitor is strongly recommended — the wording is what binds). 3. File draft order + D81 + £62 fee; the court approves or queries it. 4. Once sealed, the order is final and enforceable.
Getting help in Staffordshire
- Support services in Staffordshire
- Finding a solicitor near Staffordshire
- Finding a mediator near Staffordshire
Related guides
General information only — not legal advice. Fees per SI 2026/642 (in force 13 July 2026); confirm the current fee on the gov.uk form page before filing. Source: gov.uk, HMCTS.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.