The Uncontested Divorce Checklist: Everything You Need Before You File
08-Apr-2026
The Uncontested Divorce Checklist: Everything You Need Before You File
Most delays in uncontested divorces come not from the courts but from couples who start the process before they’ve gathered what they need. This checklist gets you fully prepared before you file a single form.
Phase 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
☐Both spouses have reached full agreement on all terms — no ‘we’ll figure it out later’ items
☐At least one spouse meets your state’s residency requirement
☐You understand your state’s mandatory waiting period and have planned accordingly
☐No pending domestic violence orders or emergency custody proceedings
Phase 2: Financial Information You’ll Need
☐Both spouses’ full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and current addresses
☐Date and location of marriage (as on your marriage certificate)
☐Date of physical separation
☐Real estate: property address, legal description from deed, current mortgage balance, approximate market value, and which spouse keeps the property or whether it will be sold
☐Vehicles: year, make, model, VIN, and loan balance for each vehicle
☐Bank accounts: institution name, account type, and approximate balance for all accounts — note which are joint and which are individual
☐Retirement accounts: institution, account type, account number, and approximate balance — note date of marriage for pre-marital balance separation
☐All debts: creditor name, account number, current balance, and whose name — for every credit card, car loan, mortgage, student loan, and personal loan
Phase 3: Children (If Applicable)
☐Each child’s full legal name, date of birth, current address, and school
☐Agreed physical custody arrangement and parenting time schedule — regular, holiday, and vacation
☐Agreed legal custody arrangement — who makes major decisions
☐Child support amount — verify it meets your state’s minimum guideline requirements
☐Health insurance coverage — which parent provides, how uninsured costs are split
Phase 4: Spousal Support
☐Whether either spouse is paying support — amount and duration if so
☐If no support: explicit waiver language for both parties
☐Terms for modification or termination (remarriage, cohabitation, income changes)
Phase 5: Documents to Gather Before Filing
☐Marriage certificate — may need a certified copy
☐Last 3 years of joint tax returns
☐Last 3 months of pay stubs for both spouses (needed for financial affidavit)
☐Most recent statements for all accounts
☐Deeds for any real property
☐Vehicle titles for all vehicles
☐Most recent retirement account statements
Phase 6: What Happens at the Courthouse
☐Identify the correct courthouse for your county
☐Confirm the court’s filing hours and whether appointments are required
☐Bring your completed documents plus 2–3 extra copies of everything
☐Bring payment for the filing fee (check court website for accepted payment methods)
☐Ask for 3–4 certified copies of your final decree when it’s signed
Pro tip: Call your courthouse clerk’s office before going in. Ask: ‘I’m filing an uncontested divorce — do I need an appointment?’ and ‘Are there any local forms required in addition to the standard state forms?’ Five minutes on the phone can save a wasted trip.
Ready to Start?
Once you have this checklist complete, the online questionnaire takes 30–60 minutes and delivers your court-ready documents in 2 business days.
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. Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers · 1736 Spottswoode Ct., Port Orange, FL 32128 · (321) 283-6452
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