Alaska Divorce Checklist
divorce.law/resources/divorce-checklist/alaska/
Prepared: 5/20/2026
Data updated: 3/1/2026
Estimated Timeline
30-45 days for uncontested dissolution, 3-6 months for uncontested divorce, 6-18 months for contested divorce in Alaska. The mandatory 30-day waiting period begins on the filing date. Uncontested dissolutions where both spouses agree on all issues can finalize shortly after the 30-day minimum. Contested cases involving custody disputes, complex property division, or trial typically take 12-18 months.
Documents to Gather
- Certified Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificates for Minor Children(if applicable)
- Government-Issued Photo ID
- VS-401 Certificate of Divorce, Dissolution of Marriage, or Annulment
- Proof of Alaska Residency/Domicile
- Pre-existing Court Orders(if applicable)
Financial Documents
- Last 3 Years of Federal and State Tax Returns
- Recent Pay Stubs (Last 6 Months)
- DR-962 Income and Expense Statement (formerly DR-250)
- DR-255 Property and Debt Statement
- Bank and Investment Account Statements
- Retirement Account Statements (401k, IRA, Pension)
- Real Property Deeds and Mortgage Statements
- Vehicle Titles and Loan Statements
- Insurance Policies
- Business Ownership Documents(if applicable)
Key Steps
1. Before Filing
- Verify Residency Requirements
- Determine Whether to File for Dissolution or Divorce
- Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
- Complete Parent Education Course (If Minor Children Are Involved)
- Create a Safety Plan If Domestic Violence Is a Concern
2. Filing Process
- Select and Complete the Correct Filing Packet
- Prepare Financial Disclosure Documents
- File Your Petition or Complaint With the Superior Court
3. After Filing
- Serve Your Spouse With the Filed Documents
- Wait for Your Spouse's Response
- Complete Mandatory Financial Disclosure Under Civil Rule 26.1
- Request or Attend Mediation
- Request Interim Orders If Needed
- Negotiate a Settlement or Prepare for Trial
- Attend the Final Hearing and Obtain the Decree
Key Deadlines
Quick Reference
To file for divorce in Alaska, you must be domiciled in the state with intent to remain permanently—there is no minimum residency period under AS 25.24.010. File either a joint Petition for Dissolution (if both spouses agree on all issues, using Packet DR-1) or a Complaint for Divorce (if contested, using Packet SHC-PAC1A for cases with children) with the Superior Court. The filing fee is $250.00, with fee waivers available through Form TF-920. The ground most filers use is incompatibility of temperament under AS 25.24.050. After filing a divorce complaint, you must serve your spouse within 120 days; the respondent then has 20 days to file an Answer. Both parties must complete Civil Rule 26.1 financial disclosures within 30 days of the Answer. If minor children are involved, both parents must complete an approved parent education course and file a Parenting Plan (Form DR-475) along with a child support calculation under Civil Rule 90.3. Alaska imposes a mandatory 30-day waiting period from the filing date before the court will sign the final decree. Uncontested dissolutions can finalize in 30 to 45 days, while contested divorces typically take 6 to 18 months.