## Why Documents Matter Form E isn't just a questionnaire — it's a sworn financial statement. The courts expect you to prove every figure with supporting evidence. Miss a document, and you'll receive a "Schedule of Deficiencies" requesting what's missing. Claim assets without proof, and your credibility takes a hit. The good news? **Once you know exactly what you need, gathering documents becomes straightforward.** This checklist tells you what to get, where to find it, and how long it takes. > **⚠️ Start with CETVs now.** Pension Cash Equivalent Transfer Values take 10-20 business days. Request them today — don't wait until you're filling out the form. --- ## The Complete Form E Document Checklist Form E requires evidence across six main categories. Here's everything you need, organized by section. ### 1. Property Documents If you own property — whether the family home, a buy-to-let, or overseas real estate — you need valuations and mortgage statements. | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | **Matrimonial home valuation** | Own or part-own a property | Estate agent (free) or RICS surveyor (£300-600) | | **Mortgage statement (12 months)** | Have a mortgage | Lender's online portal or request by phone | | **Other property valuations** | Own additional properties | Estate agents for each property | | **Other property mortgage statements** | Mortgages on other properties | Each lender | **Pro tip:** Estate agent valuations are accepted by the court — you don't need an expensive surveyor unless there's a dispute about value. Get 2-3 estate agents to provide written appraisals for free. --- ### 2. Bank & Savings Documents This is where people make the most mistakes. You need **12 full months** of statements for every account — current accounts, savings accounts, ISAs, and even dormant accounts with small balances. | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | **12 months bank statements** | All current accounts | Online banking download or branch request | | **12 months savings statements** | All savings accounts | Online banking or provider | | **ISA statements** | Own any ISAs | ISA provider | | **Premium Bonds valuation** | Own Premium Bonds | NS&I website (instant) | **Common mistake to avoid:** "12 months of statements" means 12 months' coverage, not 12 separate documents. If your bank sends quarterly statements, you need 4 statements covering the full year. Check the dates carefully. > **Tip:** Download statements as PDFs from online banking. Courts accept digital copies — you don't need originals. --- ### 3. Investment Documents Any investments outside of pensions — stocks, shares, bonds, funds, cryptocurrency — need supporting evidence. | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | **Investment portfolio statements** | Hold shares, bonds, or funds | Broker platform (Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell, etc.) | | **Dividend counterfoils** | Receive dividend income | Annual portfolio statement or broker | | **Life insurance surrender values** | Own life insurance policies | Contact insurer for a surrender value quote | **Note on cryptocurrency:** Yes, you must disclose crypto holdings. Screenshot your wallet balances or export transaction history from your exchange. --- ### 4. Pension Documents (Start Here) Pensions are often the second-largest asset after the family home — and the most misunderstood. **You cannot use the "fund value" on your annual statement.** Courts require a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV). | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | Timeline | |----------|---------------|-----------------|----------| | **CETV statement** | Have any workplace or personal pension | Contact provider by phone or email | **10-20 business days** | | **State Pension forecast** | Everyone | [gov.uk/check-state-pension](https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension) | Instant online | | **PPF statement** | Defined benefit pension in PPF | Pension Protection Fund | 10-20 days | **Why CETVs take so long:** Pension providers perform actuarial calculations to determine the transfer value. It's free to request for divorce purposes, but they're not fast. > **Action required:** Call or email each pension provider today and request a CETV "for divorce proceedings." Use the scheme name and your National Insurance number. --- ### 5. Business Documents If you're a business owner, company director, partner in a partnership, or hold significant shares in a private company, additional documentation is required. | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | **Last 2 years' business accounts** | Own/run a business | Your accountant | | **Business valuation** | Business has significant value or is disputed | Forensic accountant | | **Management accounts** | Standard accounts are out of date | Internal or from accountant | For sole traders, your self-assessment records and bank statements cover most of this. For limited companies, you'll need formal accounts. --- ### 6. Employment & Income Documents Whether employed or self-employed, you need to evidence your income. **If employed:** | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | **P60 (last tax year)** | Employed during last tax year | Employer's HR/payroll | | **Last 3 payslips** | Currently employed | Employer or payroll portal | | **P11D** | Receive benefits in kind (company car, medical insurance) | Employer — only if issued | **If self-employed:** | Document | When Required | Where to Get It | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | **SA302 tax calculation** | Filed self-assessment | HMRC online account | | **Accountant's letter/certificate** | Use an accountant | Request from your accountant | --- ## Document Gathering Timeline Here's a realistic week-by-week plan: | Week | Actions | |------|---------| | **Week 1** | Request CETVs from all pension providers. Start downloading bank statements. | | **Week 2** | Arrange property valuations. Chase pension providers if no acknowledgment. | | **Week 3** | Gather employment documents (P60, payslips). Request business accounts from accountant. | | **Week 4** | Final review. Check you have 12 full months of bank statements. Chase any missing items. | **Why start with pensions?** Because they take the longest. Everything else can be gathered in days — CETVs take weeks. --- ## What If Documents Are Missing? Life isn't always neat. Here's how to handle gaps: - **Document delayed but coming** → Use Form E's "To follow" checkbox. But don't abuse this — courts expect documents before the First Directions Appointment. - **Document doesn't exist** (e.g., no P11D because you don't get benefits in kind) → Mark as "Not applicable." - **Can't access an account** (e.g., spouse controls it) → Note this in Form E and the court may order disclosure. - **Lost documents** → Most banks and providers can reissue statements. Allow extra time. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do I need original documents or are copies acceptable?** Copies are fine. The court accepts printed PDFs, photocopies, and digital submissions. You don't need to hand over original documents. **How recent do bank statements need to be?** Statements should cover the 12 months leading up to completing Form E. If your form is dated January 2026, statements should cover January 2025 - January 2026. **Can I use screenshots from online banking?** Yes, but PDFs are better. Official statements downloaded from your banking app or website are always preferred over screenshots. **What if a document doesn't exist for me?** Mark it as "Not applicable" in the documents schedule. For example, if you're employed and don't receive a P11D, that document simply doesn't apply. **My spouse won't give me access to joint accounts. What do I do?** Note this in Form E. You can request the court make an order for disclosure. Also try accessing statements directly from the bank — you're entitled to statements for accounts in your name. --- ## Make Document Gathering Easier Tracking 17+ documents across multiple providers is overwhelming — especially when you're also dealing with the emotional weight of divorce. **Divvio generates a personalised document checklist based on your answers.** As you complete each section, we tell you exactly what evidence you'll need. No guessing, no missed documents. [Start your Form E with Divvio →](/eligibility) --- ## Quick Reference: All 17 Document Types Here's the complete list for easy reference: 1. Application to vary existing court order (if applicable) 2. Matrimonial home valuation 3. Matrimonial home mortgage statements (12 months) 4. Other property valuations 5. Other property mortgage statements 6. Bank/savings account statements (12 months, all accounts) 7. Investment statements 8. Life insurance surrender values 9. Business accounts (last 2 years) 10. Business valuation evidence 11. Pension CETV or PPF statements 12. P60 (last tax year) 13. Last 3 payslips 14. P11D (if issued) 15. Tax assessment (SA302) or accountant's letter 16. Management accounts (if standard accounts outdated) 17. Any other relevant documents --- ## Ready to Start? Now you know exactly what documents Form E requires. The next step is actually gathering them — and the most important action you can take today is **requesting your pension CETVs**. Once you have your documents ready, completing Form E becomes straightforward. Divvio's guided questionnaire walks you through every section, automatically calculates your totals, and generates a court-ready PDF. [Check your eligibility and start your Form E →](/eligibility) --- *Last updated: January 2026. This guide covers Form E requirements for England & Wales.*