What Forms Do I Need to File for Divorce in California?

The California divorce process is famous for its paperwork. There are over two dozen potential forms you might need to fill out before your divorce is finalized.

However, you do not need to file all of them at once. The process is broken down into three distinct phases: starting the divorce, disclosing your finances, and finalizing the judgment.

Here is the exact list of forms you need to file for a standard California divorce, broken down by phase.

Phase 1: Starting the Divorce (The Initial Filing)

To open your case with the court, the "Petitioner" (the spouse filing for divorce) must submit the initial filing packet. This packet tells the court who you are, what you want, and proves that your spouse has been notified.

The Mandatory Starting Forms

• FL-100 (Petition — Marriage/Domestic Partnership): The foundational document. It tells the court basic facts about your marriage, your date of separation, and what you are asking for. Here is how to fill out the FL-100.
• FL-110 (Summons): Officially notifies your spouse that a lawsuit has been filed. Contains the Standard Family Law Restraining Orders on page two, which instantly freeze both spouses' assets. Here is how to fill out the FL-110 Summons.
• FL-115 (Proof of Service of Summons): You cannot serve your own divorce papers. Once an adult over 18 hands the FL-100 and FL-110 to your spouse, that person signs the FL-115 under penalty of perjury. Here is how to fill out the FL-115 and how to serve divorce papers in California.

The Conditional Starting Forms

• FL-105 (UCCJEA Declaration): Required only if you have minor children with your spouse. It tells the court where the children have lived for the past five years.
• FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees): Only if you cannot afford the $435 filing fee. If you receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh, you automatically qualify.

Phase 2: Financial Disclosures

California law requires both spouses to completely disclose all their assets, debts, income, and expenses to each other. You have 60 days from the date you filed your Petition to serve these documents.

The Mandatory Disclosure Forms

• FL-140 (Declaration of Disclosure): A cover sheet acting as a checklist for the documents you are handing over.
• FL-142 (Schedule of Assets and Debts): A comprehensive four-page list of everything you own and owe. Here is how to fill out the FL-142. Some simple cases can use when to use the FL-160 instead.
• FL-150 (Income and Expense Declaration): Details your monthly income and expenses, used to calculate child and spousal support. Here is how to fill out the FL-150.
• FL-141 (Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure): The only form in this phase that actually gets filed with the court. You do not file your FL-142 or FL-150 — you serve them and then file the FL-141 to prove you did.

Phase 3: Finalizing the Judgment

How you finalize depends on whether your spouse responded and whether you reached an agreement. If you and your spouse agree on everything, you will draft a what a Marital Settlement Agreement is and attach it to your final judgment packet, which includes:

• FL-130 (Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers): Tells the court you both agree to the terms and waive trial.
• FL-170 (Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution): Your sworn statement asking the judge to approve your agreement without a court appearance.
• FL-180 (Judgment): The actual court order. Once the judge signs it, your divorce is finalized.
• FL-190 (Notice of Entry of Judgment): The court clerk mails this to both spouses with the official end date.

Curious what comes next once you file? what happens after you file the Petition walks you through every step.

Tired of decoding court forms? Start your California divorce packet and we'll generate the correct forms for your county automatically.