Filing for divorce in New Hampshire without an attorney costs $252 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 1 year in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a equitable distribution state. An uncontested divorce typically takes 2-4 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with New Hampshire-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $252 (The filing fee is $252 statewide. Additional fees apply for motion hearings and other filings.) |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year in New Hampshire |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (fair, not equal) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Irreconcilable differences (no-fault), Impotency, Adultery, Extreme cruelty, Conviction of crime with 1+ year imprisonment, Habitual drunkenness for 2+ years, Treatment causing injury, Absence for 2+ years, Living apart under decree for 2+ years |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 2-4 months |
| Contested Timeline | 6 months to 2+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in New Hampshire, you must meet the following residency requirement: 1 year in New Hampshire.
Either both parties are domiciled in New Hampshire when filing, OR the plaintiff has been domiciled in New Hampshire for 1 year before filing.
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet New Hampshire's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in New Hampshire without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
Either both parties are domiciled in New Hampshire when filing, OR the plaintiff has been domiciled in New Hampshire for 1 year before filing.
Download the official New Hampshire divorce forms: Petition for Divorce, Domestic Case Information Sheet, Financial Affidavit. All forms are available from the New Hampshire courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (NHJB-2027-F) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the New Hampshire court and pay the filing fee of $252. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to New Hampshire rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by New Hampshire law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
New Hampshire has no mandatory waiting period. Once the case is ready for hearing and all requirements are met, the divorce can be finalized.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in New Hampshire, this typically takes 2-4 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in New Hampshire. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates divorce
Court administration
Financial disclosure
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in New Hampshire is $252. The filing fee is $252 statewide. Additional fees apply for motion hearings and other filings.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $252 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $350-$1,200 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, New Hampshire offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in New Hampshire, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. New Hampshire courts are strict about service requirements.
New Hampshire is a equitable distribution state.
New Hampshire divides all property equitably (including separate property). The court considers length of marriage, age, health, occupation, sources of income, skills, liabilities, and contribution to acquisition of property.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how New Hampshire law applies to your specific property.
New Hampshire uses the Income shares model per RSA 458-C.
New Hampshire uses income shares guidelines. Both parents' gross incomes determine the presumptive support, adjusted for custody arrangement, childcare, and health insurance costs.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your New Hampshire divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $252 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
None - New Hampshire has no mandatory waiting period. Once the case is ready for hearing and all requirements are met, the divorce can be finalized.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
No mandatory waiting period
All property divisible (not just marital)
Both fault and no-fault grounds
Standardized NHJB forms statewide
Marital Master Hearings for uncontested cases
Common questions about filing for divorce in New Hampshire without an attorney.
Get 24/7 guidance specific to New Hampshire's forms, procedures, and requirements.
New Hampshire-specific forms
Guidance through every required form
Financial disclosure wizard
Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step
Child support calculator
Using New Hampshire's exact guidelines
AI document drafting
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Evidence notebook
Organize and categorize case documents
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Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.
All New Hampshire divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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