We consider the semileptonic and nonleptonic D-s decay modes to final states with eta and eta ('). We use QCD sum rules to determine the D-s --> eta form factor f(+)(n), and a generalized factorization ansatz to compute nonleptonic decays. We propose a parameterization of possible OZI suppressed contributions producing the eta' in the final state, compatible vith current data;, such a scheme can be further constrained improving the precision of the measurement of the D, decay rates, as expected by the ongoing experiments. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.