Divorce Resources in District of Columbia: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide
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Crisis Resources
If you are in danger, call 911. For confidential support:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788
State/Provincial Hotline: 202-833-2233
Domestic Violence Resources
Statewide coalition coordinating domestic violence services, policy advocacy, and survivor resources across the District of Columbia. Provides shelter finder and referrals to member organizations.
DC's only 24-hour crisis intervention agency for domestic violence victims. Operates Domestic Violence Intake Centers at DC Superior Court and provides face-to-face advocacy, safety planning, and emergency shelter referrals.
Provides legal services and advocacy for victims of domestic violence in the District of Columbia.
Protective Orders
Victims of domestic violence in DC may file for a Civil Protection Order (CPO) at the DC Superior Court Domestic Violence Division under D.C. Code § 16-1003. There is no filing fee for a CPO. A petitioner must state the relationship to the respondent (family member, household member, or intimate partner), describe specific incidents of intrafamily offenses, and establish that the incidents occurred in DC or that the petitioner resides, works, or attends school in DC. Upon filing, the court may issue a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) under D.C. Code § 16-1004(b)(1) if the petitioner's safety is immediately endangered — this initial TPO lasts up to 14 days. A full hearing is then scheduled where the petitioner must show good cause under D.C. Code § 16-1005(c) that the respondent committed or threatened a criminal offense. A final CPO can last up to two years and may include no-contact orders, stay-away provisions (typically 100 yards), exclusive possession of the home, and required participation in counseling. DC SAFE's Domestic Violence Intake Center at DC Superior Court (Room 4550, 202-879-0152) assists petitioners with filing and safety planning.
Official Links & Resources
How to File for Divorce in District of Columbia
To file for divorce in District of Columbia, you must meet the six-month residency requirement under D.C. Code § 16-902. Either you or your spouse must have been a bona fide resident of DC for at least six months immediately before filing. It does not matter where you were married. Military members stationed in DC for six continuous months satisfy the residency requirement. The sole ground for divorce is that one or both spouses no longer wish to remain married, per D.C. Code § 16-904(a). DC is a pure no-fault jurisdiction — there is no required separation period and no need to prove fault. The 2024 Grounds for Divorce Amendment Act (D.C. Law 25-115) eliminated all prior separation waiting periods.
Begin your case by completing the Complaint for Absolute Divorce, available at the DC Courts website or the Family Court Central Intake Center in Room JM-540 of the Moultrie Courthouse at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001. If you have children, attach Attachment B (Child Custody) and Attachment C (Child Support). If you seek property division, attach Attachment A (Marital Property and Debt). File your completed complaint and attachments at the Central Intake Center and pay the $80 filing fee by cash or money order. If you cannot afford the fee, submit Form 106A (Fee Waiver Application) pursuant to D.C. Code § 15-712 before filing your complaint.
After filing, you must serve your spouse with the complaint and summons within 60 days. Service may be accomplished by personal service through a private process server, by certified mail, or by electronic means with an appropriate affidavit of service filed with the court. If you cannot locate your spouse, you may request service by publication. If you cannot serve within 60 days, request an Alias Summons from the Central Intake Center before the original summons expires. Your spouse then has 20 days from service to file either a Consent Answer (uncontested) or a Contested Answer and Counterclaim under D.C. Code § 16-911.
For an uncontested divorce, after the Consent Answer is filed, both spouses sign and submit the Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing. The court schedules a brief hearing where both spouses must appear — virtual hearings via WebEx are available. After the hearing, the judge enters the Final Decree of Divorce. The decree does not become final until 30 days after entry on the docket, per the appeal period. Both spouses may waive this waiting period by filing a Joint Waiver of Appeal, making the divorce effective immediately. For contested cases, the court schedules a pretrial conference and trial under D.C. Code § 16-910 for property division and D.C. Code § 16-913 for alimony.
Required Court Forms
Primary form to initiate a divorce action in DC Superior Court Family Court. Includes sections for marriage details, grounds for divorce under D.C. Code § 16-904, requests for property division, alimony, child custody, and name change.
Filed by the respondent spouse who agrees with the divorce complaint. Includes a request for the court to set the matter for an uncontested divorce hearing.
Filed by the respondent spouse who disputes issues in the divorce complaint. Allows the respondent to file a counterclaim with their own requests for relief.
Both spouses sign this form to request a hearing date for an uncontested divorce after the Consent Answer has been filed.
Required attachment for listing marital property and debts to be divided under D.C. Code § 16-910 equitable distribution provisions.
Required attachment when child custody is at issue in the divorce. Covers physical and legal custody arrangements under D.C. Code § 16-914.
Required attachment for requesting child support. Includes income information and calculation worksheet under D.C. Code § 16-916.
Both spouses sign to waive the 30-day appeal period after the divorce decree is entered, allowing the divorce to become final immediately.
Filed by the original petitioner in response to a counterclaim filed by the respondent in a contested divorce.
Requests temporary (pendente lite) spousal support during the divorce proceedings under D.C. Code § 16-911.
Requests temporary exclusive possession of the marital home during divorce proceedings under D.C. Code § 16-911.
Initiates a legal separation action. Parties remain married but live apart with court-ordered rights and obligations under D.C. Code § 16-904(b).
Application to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) without prepayment of court costs and filing fees pursuant to D.C. Code § 15-712 and Superior Court Rule 54-II.
Filing on your own?
Divorce.law's FormOS walks you through preparing your court documents step by step — no attorney required.
How Much Does It Cost to File for Divorce in District of Columbia?
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Complaint for Absolute Divorce | $80 |
| Counterclaim | $20 |
| Motion (general) | $20 |
| Motion to Reinstate (SCR-Dom. Rel. 41) | $35 |
| Alias Summons | $10 |
| Notice of Appeal | $100 |
| Certified Copy | $5 |
Fee Waiver: Individuals who cannot afford to pay the $80 filing fee may apply for a fee waiver by filing Form 106A (Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs, Fees, or Security) pursuant to D.C. Code § 15-712 and Superior Court Domestic Relations Rule 54-II. The application must be submitted and approved before filing the complaint — the court will not refund fees paid before the waiver is granted. Applicants must demonstrate financial inability to pay, showing limited income, expenses, and debts. The form must be signed and sworn or affirmed; notarization is not required. The fee waiver application and assistance are available at the Family Court Self-Help Center (Room JM-570) and the Central Intake Center (Room JM-540) at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001. The DC Bar also provides a step-by-step video guide on completing the IFP waiver form at dcbar.org.
Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
Provides direct free representation in family law matters including protective orders, custody, divorce, and child support for low-income DC residents.
Eligibility: Low-income individuals; income-based eligibility
Provides free rapid-response, limited-scope legal services to unrepresented DC family law litigants from low-income households.
Eligibility: Low-income DC residents in family law cases; income-based eligibility
Free walk-in clinic where volunteer attorneys provide general legal information, advice, and brief services in family law matters including divorce, custody, and child support.
Eligibility: Pro se individuals with legal matters governed by DC or federal law; no income requirement for clinic services
Parenting Class Requirements
The District of Columbia does not impose a mandatory parenting education class requirement for all divorcing parents. However, the court has discretionary authority under D.C. Code § 16-911(a)(2)(D) to order either or both parents to attend parenting classes when child custody is at issue. Judges may exercise this authority on a case-by-case basis when they determine that a parenting education course would serve the best interests of the child under D.C. Code § 16-914. Voluntary attendance at a parenting class may be viewed favorably by the court as evidence of a parent's commitment to providing a stable, nurturing environment.
Mediation Requirements
The DC Superior Court Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division offers free, voluntary, and confidential family mediation services for divorcing spouses. Mediation is available for disputes involving custody, visitation, child support, property division, and spousal support. While mediation is not a statutory prerequisite to filing for divorce in DC, the court may refer contested family law cases to mediation under its general authority. Contact a Dispute Resolution Specialist at 202-879-3180 to schedule an intake interview. Sessions are held Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with evening and Saturday appointments available. Each session lasts approximately two hours, and multiple sessions may be needed. Mediators do not give legal advice or represent parties in court. Any written agreements should be reviewed by an attorney before submission to the court.
Financial Disclosure Requirements
DC Superior Court requires parties in divorce proceedings involving property division or alimony to complete a Financial Statement (Form FD-731). This form requires detailed disclosure of income, monthly expenses, assets (separately and jointly owned), liabilities, and net worth. Under D.C. Code § 16-910, the court must value and distribute all property and debt accumulated during the marriage, making complete financial disclosure essential for equitable distribution. The 2024 amendment to § 16-910 added the history of financial abuse as a factor the court must consider. For temporary alimony requests under D.C. Code § 16-911, financial documentation including tax returns for the past three years, bank statements, investment and retirement account records, real estate documents, and debt information must be provided. Intentional failure to disclose assets may result in agreements being set aside by the court.
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