District of Columbia Divorce Checklist

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Prepared: 5/20/2026

Data updated: 3/1/2026

Estimated Timeline

30-60 days for uncontested divorces with mutual agreement and Joint Waiver of Appeal; 6-18 months for contested divorces requiring discovery, mediation, and trial in the District of Columbia

Documents to Gather

Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificates for Minor Children
DC Driver's License or Government-Issued ID
Proof of Residency (Lease, Deed, or Utility Bills)
Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement (If Applicable)(if applicable)
Existing Court Orders (Protection Orders, Custody Orders)(if applicable)

Financial Documents

Last 3 Years of Federal and DC Tax Returns
Last 6 Months of Pay Stubs
Bank Statements (All Accounts, Last 12 Months)
Retirement and Investment Account Statements
Real Estate Documents
Debt Documentation
Business Ownership Records (If Applicable)(if applicable)
Insurance Policies
Financial Statement (Form FD-731)

Key Steps

1. Before Filing

Verify Residency Requirements
Determine Grounds for Divorce
Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
Consider Safety Planning if Domestic Violence Is Involved

2. Filing Process

Complete the Complaint for Absolute Divorce
File the Complaint with the Family Court Central Intake Center
File a Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing (If Applicable)

3. After Filing

Serve Your Spouse with the Divorce Papers
File the Affidavit of Service
Await or File the Answer to the Complaint
Attend the Status Conference and Exchange Financial Disclosures
Participate in the PAC Program (If Custody Is Contested)
Attend the Divorce Hearing
Obtain the Final Divorce Decree and Consider Waiving the Appeal Period

Key Deadlines

Serve spouse with complaint and summons60 days after filing the complaint

File Affidavit of Service with the courtWithin 60 days after filing the complaint

Respondent must file Answer to Complaint21 days after service

Request default judgment if no Answer filedAfter 21-day answer period expires

Complete PAC parent education seminarBefore first mediation session (court-ordered date)

Divorce decree becomes final (appeal period)30 days after order is entered on docket

Quick Reference

To file for divorce in the District of Columbia, you must establish that at least one spouse has been a bona fide DC resident for 6 consecutive months under D.C. Code § 16-902. Since January 2024, the sole ground for divorce under D.C. Code § 16-904 is that one or both parties no longer wish to remain married — no separation period is required. File a Complaint for Absolute Divorce with the Family Court Central Intake Center at DC Superior Court, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room JM-540, paying the $80.00 filing fee (fee waivers available via Form 106A). Serve your spouse within 60 days and file the Affidavit of Service. Your spouse has 21 days to file an Answer. In uncontested cases, both parties may file a Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing to expedite the process to 30-60 days. Contested cases involving custody may require participation in the PAC program. All divorces require a hearing, now conducted via WebEx video. The divorce becomes final 30 days after the decree is entered, unless both parties file a Joint Waiver of Appeal for immediate finalization.