How to File an Uncontested Divorce in California: Exact Steps, Forms, and Fees
08-Apr-2026
How to File an Uncontested Divorce in California: Exact Steps, Forms, and Fees
Residency required6 months
Waiting period6 months after filing
Filing courtSuperior Court
Property rulecommunity property (50/50)
Filing fee range$435–$450
Total est. cost$500–$625
An uncontested divorce in California is faster, cheaper, and far less stressful than a contested one. If both spouses agree on all the terms, this guide covers the exact forms, fees, and filing steps required by California’s Superior Court.
Does Your Case Qualify as Uncontested in California?
The word “uncontested” has a specific legal meaning — it doesn’t mean you’re on good terms with your spouse, just that you agree on all the major issues. Here’s the full eligibility checklist:
✓Both spouses agree on all terms — property, debt, and any support arrangements
✓If you have children: both spouses agree on custody arrangements, parenting schedule, and child support amount
✓At least one spouse meets California’s residency requirement (6 months)
✓Neither spouse wants to contest the divorce or request contested hearings
✓Both spouses are willing to sign the required documents
Good news for most couples: approximately 90% of US divorces are resolved without going to trial, according to bar association research. If you and your spouse can reach agreement on the issues above, you qualify for the uncontested process in California.
The Exact Forms Required for an Uncontested Divorce in California
Unlike some states with a single statewide form set, California divorce forms can vary by county. The forms listed below are the standard documents required — your document service provides the correct versions for your specific county.
Document
California Form Name
Purpose
Initial petition
Petition (FL-100) + SUMMONS (FL-110)
Filed by petitioner (or jointly) at Superior Court
Respondent response
Response (FL-120)
Signed by respondent to avoid formal service; waives right to contest
Final decree
Judgment (FL-180) + Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190)
Signed by judge — this is the document that legally ends the marriage
Signed by both spouses — covers all property, debt, support, and parenting terms
Important: California has 58 counties — forms are statewide but local cover sheets may be required. The 6-month clock starts on the date the Petition is served on the respondent.
California Uncontested Divorce Fees — Complete Breakdown
Court filing fees are set by the state and county — they are the same whether you hire an attorney or file yourself. Here’s every fee you should expect:
Fee Item
Cost
Notes
Court filing fee
$435–$450
Paid to the Superior Court when you file
Document preparation
$199
OnlineDivorce.com — generates your California-specific forms
Process server (if needed)
$0–$75
Often $0 if spouse signs voluntary waiver/acceptance
Certified copies of decree
$5–$25 each
Order 3–4 at time of filing for name changes and account updates
Total estimated
$500–$625
vs. $17,000+ average with an attorney
Fee waiver available: If your income falls below California’s poverty guideline thresholds, you may qualify for a court filing fee waiver. Ask the clerk’s office for the Application for Civil Indigent Status (or equivalent form) when you go to file. The $199 document service fee is separate from court fees and is not waivable through the court.
California Property Division: What “Uncontested” Means for Your Assets
California follows community property (50/50) for marital property. Here’s what that means in practice:
Community property states divide marital assets and debts acquired during the marriage 50/50 as a default. In your uncontested divorce, you can agree to a different split in your Settlement Agreement — but both spouses must agree. Any deviation from 50/50 should be clearly documented.
Assets acquired before the marriage, gifts, and inheritances are generally considered separate property in California and are not subject to division — regardless of whether it’s an equitable distribution or community property state.
Step-by-Step: Filing Your California Uncontested Divorce
1 Confirm your eligibilityBoth spouses must agree on all terms, and at least one must meet California’s residency requirement (6 months). If any major issue — property division, custody, support — is disputed, you’ll need to resolve it before proceeding with the uncontested process.
2 Prepare your Settlement AgreementDraft and sign a Marital Settlement Agreement covering all property, debts, spousal support, and child-related terms. This must be complete before you file your petition.
3 File the Petition (FL-100) + SUMMONS (FL-110) at the Superior CourtThe petitioning spouse files the completed petition in the appropriate Superior Court. Pay the California filing fee ($435–$450). The clerk assigns a case number and stamps your copies.
4 Serve your spouse (or get a waiver)Your spouse must be formally notified. For uncontested cases, the simplest method is having your spouse sign an Acceptance of Service or Waiver — this eliminates the need for a process server. If they won’t sign, a process server or sheriff completes service for approximately $0–$75.
5 Wait out the 6 months periodCalifornia requires a 6 months waiting period from the date of service before the judge can sign the final decree. Use this time to ensure all financial disclosures and required affidavits are complete.
6 Submit all required documents to the courtIn addition to the petition and settlement agreement, California typically requires financial affidavits or disclosure statements. Your document service provides a complete filing checklist. Some counties require these to be submitted at filing; others accept them before the final hearing.
7 Obtain the judge’s signature on the decreeFor uncontested cases in California, no hearing is typically required. The judge reviews your Settlement Agreement and signs the Judgment (FL-180) + Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190). This is the document that legally dissolves the marriage.
8 Collect certified copies of your decreeObtain at least 3–4 certified copies from the clerk’s office at the time of signing. You’ll need them to update your name on IDs, close joint accounts, update beneficiary designations, and refinance any joint mortgage.
Ready to File Your California Uncontested Divorce?
Get your court-ready California divorce forms in 2 business days for $199 — then follow the steps above to file yourself.
Check My Eligibility → $199 document prep · $39.99/mo after 30 days, cancel anytime · Court fees ($435–$450) paid to Superior Court separately · (321) 283-6452
What Happens to Property, Debt, and Support in California
Real Property (Your Home)
Your Settlement Agreement must specify what happens to any jointly owned real estate. The three standard options are: (1) sell the home and split the proceeds, (2) one spouse buys out the other’s equity share and refinances the mortgage into their name only, or (3) defer the sale for a defined period (often until children are grown). All three must be agreed upon and documented.
Critical: Your divorce decree cannot remove a spouse from mortgage liability — only a refinance can do that. If the staying spouse is not removed from the mortgage through a refinance, both spouses remain legally responsible for the debt regardless of what the divorce decree says.
Retirement Accounts
Dividing a 401(k), 403(b), or pension requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) — a separate legal document beyond the divorce decree. The QDRO is submitted to the retirement plan administrator after the divorce is finalized. A QDRO specialist typically charges $500–$2,500. IRAs are divided through a simpler “transfer incident to divorce” instruction to the custodian, also documented in your Settlement Agreement.
Spousal Support
In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse agree on the amount, duration, and conditions of any spousal support. Your Settlement Agreement should specify: the monthly amount, how long it will be paid, under what conditions it terminates (remarriage, cohabitation, etc.), and whether it is modifiable or fixed. Include “no spousal support” explicitly if neither party will pay support.
Children: Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support
If you have minor children, your Settlement Agreement must include a detailed Parenting Plan specifying: legal custody (who makes major decisions), physical custody (where children primarily live), parenting time schedules (regular, holiday, and vacation), and child support amounts calculated per California’s child support guidelines. California judges review parenting plans for the best interests of the children before approval — clear, detailed, and child-focused agreements are approved routinely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an uncontested divorce take in California? ▼
From starting the document preparation questionnaire to receiving your signed decree, most uncontested California divorces take 6–14 weeks. The timeline is driven by: 2 days for document delivery, the 6 months mandatory waiting period, your courthouse filing queue, and how quickly both spouses sign all required documents.
What if my spouse is in another state or country? ▼
Distance doesn’t prevent an uncontested divorce. Many states allow acceptance of service by mail or email — your spouse signs the acceptance documents remotely and returns them. As long as the paperwork is signed, the physical location of either spouse during the process doesn’t matter in most cases.
Can we agree to waive spousal support? ▼
Yes. In an uncontested California divorce, both spouses can agree that neither will pay spousal support. Include explicit language to this effect in your Settlement Agreement: ‘Both parties waive any claim for spousal support.’ This waiver is typically permanent once included in the final decree.
What if we own property in multiple states? ▼
The California Superior Court has jurisdiction over your divorce. However, real property located in another state must be handled according to that state’s laws for the title transfer. Your Settlement Agreement should address all properties — but you may need a Quitclaim Deed or other transfer document recorded in the other state’s county where the property is located.
Do we need a lawyer to review our Settlement Agreement? ▼
You’re not required to have an attorney review your Settlement Agreement in {name}. However, many people use ‘limited scope representation’ — paying an attorney for a one-time review ($200–$500) without hiring them for full representation. This can catch ambiguous language or missing provisions that might cause problems later.
What’s the difference between this and the ‘How to File for Divorce in California Without a Lawyer’ guide? ▼
Both guides cover the same core process — the difference is focus. This guide emphasizes the specific forms, fee breakdown, and property division rules unique to uncontested cases. The pro se guide covers a broader range of situations including what to do if your spouse is uncooperative or won’t sign. If your case is straightforwardly uncontested, start here.
Affiliate Disclosure: Noble Notary may earn a commission when you purchase through links in this article at no additional cost to you. OnlineDivorce.com charges $199 regardless of referral source.
Legal Disclaimer: Noble Notary is a licensed document preparation company, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. For complex or contested situations, consult a licensed California family law attorney. Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers · 1736 Spottswoode Ct., Port Orange, FL 32128 · (321) 283-6452
Leave a Reply