Filing divorce papers in Vermont requires completing 8-12 court forms depending on whether you have minor children, paying $90 (stipulated) to $295 (contested) in filing fees, and meeting the state's 6-month residency requirement before filing. Vermont's family courts process approximately 2,100 divorce cases annually, with 70% proceeding as uncontested stipulated divorces that resolve in 4-6 months. Under 15 V.S.A. § 592, at least one spouse must have lived in Vermont for 6 months before filing and 1 year before the court can issue a final decree.
Key Facts: Vermont Divorce Papers at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee (Stipulated) | $90 (Vermont residents filing with complete agreement) |
| Filing Fee (Contested) | $295 (filing without a complete stipulation) |
| Filing Fee (Non-Resident Stipulated) | $180 (both parties non-residents) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months to file; 1 year before final decree |
| Waiting Period | 90-day nisi period (may be waived) |
| Grounds for Divorce | No-fault (6 months living separate and apart) |
| Property Division | Equitable distribution (not 50/50) |
| Forms Required | 8-10 forms (no children) or 10-12 forms (with children) |
| COPE Class | $79 (required if minor children involved) |
What Divorce Papers Do You Need in Vermont?
Vermont divorce papers consist of 8-12 official court forms that establish your divorce case, document your financial situation, and request specific relief from the court. The exact forms required depend on whether you have minor children and whether you are filing a stipulated (uncontested) or contested divorce. Vermont's family courts use a standardized 400-series form numbering system, with all forms available as fillable PDFs from the Vermont Judiciary website at vermontjudiciary.org.
Core Forms for All Vermont Divorces
Every Vermont divorce requires these foundational documents regardless of whether you have children:
The Summons and Complaint for Divorce (Form 400-00836) is the primary document that initiates your divorce case. This petition for divorce identifies both spouses, states the grounds for divorce under 15 V.S.A. § 551, and requests that the court dissolve your marriage. Vermont offers two versions: Summons and Complaint for Divorce Without Children and Summons and Complaint for Divorce With Children, which also addresses custody and child support.
The Notice of Appearance for Self-Represented Litigant (Form 400-00831) notifies the court that you are representing yourself without an attorney. This form ensures the court sends all notices and documents directly to you.
The Statement of Confidential Information (Form 400-00849) collects sensitive information including Social Security numbers for both spouses and minor children. This document is kept confidential and not included in the public court file.
The Financial Affidavit (Forms 400-00813A and 400-00813B) provides the court with a complete picture of your financial situation. Form 400-00813A covers income, expenses, and debts while Form 400-00813B documents property and assets. Vermont courts require updated financial affidavits within 60 days of the final hearing.
The Vehicle Addendum (Form 400-00200) must be completed for every vehicle owned by either spouse. This form ensures proper title transfer after the divorce is finalized.
Additional Forms for Stipulated (Uncontested) Divorces
Stipulated divorces in Vermont cost only $90 in filing fees compared to $295 for contested cases, representing a savings of $205. To qualify for the reduced fee, both spouses must file a complete agreement on all issues including property division, spousal support, and if applicable, child custody and support.
The Final Stipulation Property, Debt and Spousal Support (Form 400-00878) documents the complete agreement between spouses on how to divide assets, allocate debts, and handle spousal maintenance. This form includes a section where couples can request to waive or shorten the 90-day nisi waiting period.
The Stipulation and Motion to Waive Final Hearing (Form 400-00841) allows couples who have reached a complete agreement to request that the court approve their divorce without requiring an in-person hearing. Courts grant approximately 85% of these waiver requests for straightforward cases.
Forms Required When Children Are Involved
Divorces involving minor children require additional documentation to ensure proper arrangements for custody, support, and parenting time.
The Agreement on Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Form 400-00825) establishes custody arrangements, parent-child contact schedules, and provisions relating to children including healthcare decisions, education, and extracurricular activities. Vermont law uses the term parental rights and responsibilities rather than custody to emphasize both parents' ongoing roles.
Under 15 V.S.A. § 665, Vermont courts consider the best interests of the child when reviewing custody arrangements, including factors such as each parent's relationship with the child, the child's adjustment to home and community, and each parent's ability to foster a positive relationship with the other parent.
Both parents must also complete the COPE (Coping with Separation and Divorce) class, a 4-hour parenting education program offered through UVM Extension for $79. Reduced fees of $15-$30 are available based on financial need. Courts will not schedule a final hearing until both parents have completed this requirement.
Vermont Divorce Residency Requirements
Vermont imposes a two-tiered residency requirement that affects when you can file divorce papers and when the court can issue a final decree. Under 15 V.S.A. § 592, either spouse must have lived in Vermont for at least 6 months before filing the divorce complaint. However, the final divorce decree cannot be issued until at least one spouse has resided in Vermont for a full year preceding the final hearing.
This dual requirement means that a spouse who moves to Vermont in January 2026 can file for divorce in July 2026 after meeting the 6-month threshold, but the court cannot finalize the divorce until January 2027 when the 1-year requirement is satisfied.
Temporary absences from Vermont for employment, military service, illness, or other legitimate reasons do not interrupt the residency calculation as long as the person maintains their Vermont residence.
Exception for Non-Residents
Vermont offers a unique exception for non-residents who were married in Vermont. Under 15 V.S.A. § 592, non-residents may file for divorce in Vermont if they were married in the state, file a joint stipulation resolving all issues, have no minor children, and neither party's home state recognizes the Vermont marriage for divorce purposes. This exception primarily benefits same-sex couples who married in Vermont before their home states recognized same-sex marriage.
How to File Divorce Papers in Vermont: Step-by-Step Process
Filing divorce papers in Vermont follows a structured 7-step process that takes 4-6 months for uncontested cases and 12-18 months for contested divorces. Understanding each step helps ensure your paperwork is complete and your case proceeds without unnecessary delays.
Step 1: Gather Required Information
Before completing any forms, collect the following information: both spouses' full legal names and addresses, date and location of marriage, marriage certificate, Social Security numbers for both spouses and all children, complete list of assets and debts with approximate values, employment and income information for both spouses, and health insurance details.
Step 2: Complete the Divorce Forms
Vermont offers two methods for completing divorce papers. The traditional method involves downloading fillable PDF forms from the Vermont Judiciary website and completing them using Adobe Acrobat Reader. The newer VTCourtForms tool provides a guided interview that generates completed forms based on your answers. This free tool is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Nepali.
For divorces without children, you will complete approximately 8-10 forms. For divorces with minor children, expect to complete 10-12 forms including the parenting plan and child-related financial disclosures.
Step 3: File with the Family Court
File your completed divorce papers with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you or your spouse resides. Vermont has 14 family courts, one in each county. You can file in person, by mail, or by email.
Pay the appropriate filing fee: $90 for stipulated divorces filed by Vermont residents with a complete agreement, $180 for stipulated divorces filed by non-residents, or $295 for contested divorces filed without a complete stipulation.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Vermont offers fee waivers for individuals with household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. In 2026, this means approximately $30,120 for a single person or $62,400 for a family of four.
Step 4: Serve Your Spouse
After filing, your spouse must receive official notice of the divorce case. In divorces without minor children, you are responsible for arranging service. Your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service form, or you can hire the county sheriff or a private process server for $75-$100.
In divorces involving minor children, the court arranges service through the sheriff's office. This automatic service ensures proper delivery but may add several weeks to your timeline.
Step 5: Wait for Response
Your spouse has 21 days to respond to the divorce complaint if served in Vermont, or 30 days if served outside the state. If your spouse fails to respond, you may request a default judgment.
Step 6: Complete the COPE Class (If Applicable)
Parents of minor children must complete the 4-hour COPE program before the court will schedule a final hearing. Register online at uvm.edu/extension/cope or call 1-800-639-2130. The standard fee is $79, with reduced rates of $15-$30 available based on financial hardship.
Step 7: Attend Final Hearing and Receive Decree
For stipulated divorces where both parties agree on all issues, the court may waive the final hearing requirement. Otherwise, both parties must attend a brief hearing where the judge reviews the agreement and issues the divorce decree.
After the judge grants the divorce, a 90-day nisi period begins before the divorce becomes final. Couples can request waiver of this waiting period on the Final Stipulation form, and courts typically grant such requests for uncontested divorces.
Vermont Divorce Grounds: No-Fault vs. Fault-Based
Vermont recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce under 15 V.S.A. § 551. Approximately 95% of Vermont divorces proceed under no-fault grounds because they simplify the process and reduce legal costs.
The no-fault ground requires proving that the couple has lived separate and apart for 6 consecutive months and that resumption of marital relations is not reasonably probable. Vermont courts interpret living separate and apart flexibly. Spouses living under the same roof can establish separation by sleeping in separate bedrooms, maintaining separate finances, not sharing meals as a married couple, and generally conducting independent lives.
Fault-based grounds remain available for divorces based on adultery, imprisonment for 3 or more years, intolerable severity (cruelty), willful desertion for 7 or more years, refusal to provide suitable support, or permanent mental incapacity. Proving fault requires additional evidence and typically increases legal costs.
Property Division in Vermont Divorce
Vermont follows equitable distribution principles under 15 V.S.A. § 751, meaning courts divide marital property fairly based on specific circumstances rather than automatically splitting assets 50/50. Vermont's all-property doctrine gives courts jurisdiction over all property owned by either or both parties, however and whenever acquired, including assets brought into the marriage, inherited property, and gifts.
Courts consider 11 statutory factors when dividing property: length of the marriage, age and health of the parties, each spouse's occupation and income, vocational skills and employability, contributions to the other spouse's education or earning power, value of all property and liabilities, whether the settlement is in lieu of maintenance, the desirability of awarding the family home to the custodial parent, each party's opportunity for future acquisition of assets, and any relevant conduct during the marriage.
Separate property that was kept truly separate throughout the marriage may be excluded from division if neither the property nor its income was used for the common benefit of the parties.
Vermont Divorce Timeline: What to Expect
Vermont divorce timelines vary significantly based on whether the case is contested or uncontested and whether minor children are involved.
Uncontested divorces without children typically resolve in 4-6 months. This includes 2-4 weeks for filing and service, 21-30 days for the response period, 4-8 weeks for court scheduling, and the 90-day nisi period (which may be waived).
Uncontested divorces with children take 6-12 months due to the mandatory COPE class requirement and more detailed court review of parenting arrangements.
Contested divorces average 12-18 months and can exceed 2 years for complex cases involving substantial assets, business valuations, or custody disputes.
The 1-year residency requirement for final decree can extend any timeline if neither spouse has lived in Vermont for a full year at the time of filing.
Vermont Divorce Costs: Complete Breakdown
The total cost of divorce papers in Vermont ranges from $90 for a completely DIY uncontested divorce to $10,000 or more for contested cases requiring attorney representation.
| Cost Category | DIY Uncontested | Attorney-Assisted | Contested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $90 | $90-$295 | $295 |
| Service Costs | $0-$100 | $0-$100 | $75-$150 |
| COPE Class | $79 (if children) | $79 (if children) | $79 (if children) |
| Attorney Fees | $0 | $1,500-$3,000 | $5,000-$15,000+ |
| Mediation | $0 | $500-$2,000 | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Total Range | $90-$270 | $2,200-$5,500 | $6,500-$20,000+ |
As of March 2026. Verify current fees with your local clerk.
A 2.39% convenience fee applies to credit card payments for court filing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Divorce Papers
Where can I get Vermont divorce forms?
Vermont divorce forms are available free from the Vermont Judiciary website at vermontjudiciary.org/family/divorce or through the VTCourtForms guided interview tool at vtlawhelp.org/vtcourtforms. All forms are fillable PDFs that require Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can also obtain printed forms at any of Vermont's 14 family court clerk's offices during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How much does it cost to file divorce papers in Vermont?
Filing divorce papers in Vermont costs $90 for stipulated (uncontested) divorces filed by Vermont residents with a complete agreement, $180 for non-resident stipulated divorces, or $295 for contested divorces without a stipulation. Fee waivers are available for individuals with household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, approximately $30,120 for a single person in 2026.
Can I file for divorce in Vermont without a lawyer?
Yes, Vermont courts are self-represented-litigant friendly and provide extensive resources for filing divorce papers without an attorney. The VTCourtForms tool generates completed forms based on your answers, and the Access and Resource Center provides free assistance at 802-879-1185 or selfhelp@vtcourts.gov. Approximately 60% of stipulated divorces in Vermont are filed without attorney representation.
How long does it take to get a divorce in Vermont?
Uncontested divorces in Vermont take 4-6 months without children or 6-12 months with children. Contested divorces average 12-18 months. All divorces include a 90-day nisi waiting period after the judge grants the divorce, though this can be waived in stipulated cases. The 1-year residency requirement before final decree may extend timelines for recent Vermont residents.
What is the 90-day nisi period in Vermont?
The 90-day nisi period is a mandatory waiting period after the judge grants the divorce but before it becomes final. Nisi means unless in Latin, meaning the divorce will become final unless either party objects. Couples filing stipulated divorces can request to waive this period on Form 400-00878. Courts typically grant waiver requests for uncontested cases.
Do both spouses have to take the COPE class?
Yes, both parents must complete the 4-hour COPE (Coping with Separation and Divorce) class if minor children are involved. The course costs $79 through UVM Extension, with reduced fees of $15-$30 available based on financial need. Courts will not schedule a final hearing until both parents provide proof of completion.
Can I get divorced in Vermont if my spouse lives in another state?
Yes, you can file for divorce in Vermont as long as you meet the 6-month residency requirement and have lived in Vermont for 1 year before the final decree. Your spouse will need to be served with divorce papers in their state of residence, which extends the response period from 21 to 30 days. Vermont courts have jurisdiction over the divorce itself but may have limited jurisdiction over property located outside the state.
What happens if my spouse doesn't respond to divorce papers?
If your spouse fails to respond within 21 days (30 days if served outside Vermont), you may request a default judgment. You must file a Motion for Entry of Default and provide proof that your spouse was properly served. The court will then proceed without your spouse's participation, though the judge will still review proposed property division and custody arrangements for fairness.
Can I change my name during the divorce?
Yes, you can request a name change as part of your divorce by including the request in your complaint or stipulation. Vermont courts routinely grant name change requests to either spouse who wants to resume a former name. Include your desired legal name in the final divorce decree to facilitate updating your Social Security card, driver's license, and other identification documents.
How do I serve divorce papers to my spouse in Vermont?
In divorces without minor children, you must arrange service yourself. Your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service form (400-00844), eliminating the need for formal service. Otherwise, hire the county sheriff or a private process server for $75-$100. In divorces with minor children, the court automatically arranges sheriff service after you file your complaint.
Vermont Family Court Locations
Vermont has 14 family courts, one in each county. File your divorce papers with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you or your spouse resides.
| County | Courthouse Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chittenden | 32 Cherry St, Suite 200, Burlington, VT 05401 | 802-651-1950 |
| Washington | 65 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 | 802-828-2091 |
| Rutland | 9 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701 | 802-786-5880 |
| Addison | 7 Mahady Court, Middlebury, VT 05753 | 802-388-7741 |
| Windham | 30 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301 | 802-257-2800 |
All courts are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed the first Friday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon for staff training. For a complete list of all 14 court locations, visit vermontjudiciary.org/court-locations.
Getting Help with Vermont Divorce Papers
Vermont offers several resources for individuals navigating the divorce process without an attorney.
The Access and Resource Center provides free information and assistance with court forms at 802-879-1185 or selfhelp@vtcourts.gov. Staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot provide legal advice.
VTLawHelp.org offers a comprehensive Divorce Roadmap with step-by-step instructions, form explanations, and links to all required documents.
Legal Services Vermont provides free legal assistance to income-eligible Vermonters. Contact 800-889-2047 to check eligibility.
Vermont Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service connects individuals with attorneys offering reduced-rate initial consultations. Call 802-223-2020 or visit vtbar.org.
Author Information
This guide was prepared by Jason Warfield for Divorce.law. The information provided is current as of May 2026 but laws and procedures may change. For specific legal advice regarding your situation, consult with a Vermont family law attorney.