New Hampshire Divorce Checklist

divorce.law/resources/divorce-checklist/new-hampshire/

Prepared: 5/20/2026

Data updated: 3/1/2026

Estimated Timeline

2–3 months for uncontested divorces (no mandatory waiting period), 8–14 months for contested divorces involving custody disputes or complex asset division in New Hampshire

Documents to Gather

Certified copy of marriage certificate
Birth certificates for minor children
Social Security numbers for both spouses and children
Photo identification (driver's license or state ID)
Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if applicable)(if applicable)
Prior court orders (if applicable)(if applicable)
Military service documentation (if applicable)(if applicable)

Financial Documents

Last 3 years of federal and state tax returns (personal and business)
4 most recent pay stubs from each employer
12 months of bank account statements (all accounts)
12 months of retirement and investment account statements
12 months of credit/loan/mortgage applications
Employee benefits documentation
Health and dental insurance documentation
Real estate appraisals or comparative market analyses(if applicable)
Business financial statements (if self-employed)
Debt documentation (credit cards, loans, medical bills)

Key Steps

1. Before Filing

Verify Residency Requirements
Gather Personal and Marriage Documentation
Compile Financial Records for Mandatory Disclosure
Assess Safety Concerns and Domestic Violence Resources
Determine Grounds for Divorce

2. Filing Process

Complete the Petition for Divorce and Supporting Forms
Prepare the Financial Affidavit
Complete Child-Related Forms (If Applicable)
File the Petition with the Circuit Court, Family Division

3. After Filing

Serve Your Spouse with the Divorce Papers
Respondent Files Appearance and Answer
Exchange Mandatory Initial Disclosures Under Rule 1.25-A
Attend the Child Impact Program (If Minor Children Involved)
Attend the First Appearance (Cases with Minor Children)
Participate in Court-Ordered Mediation
Negotiate Property Settlement and Support Terms
Prepare and File Final Decree and Closing Documents
Attend the Final Hearing and Obtain Your Decree

Key Deadlines

Respondent must file Appearance15 days after receipt of Notice to Respondent

Respondent must file Answer to Petition30 days after service of the petition

Mandatory disclosure exchange (Rule 1.25-A)45 days from filing (joint) or 45 days from service (individual)

Child Impact Program completionWithin 45 days of service on respondent

First Appearance session (cases with children)Within 30 days after service is completed

Sheriff service must be completedWithin 25 days of receiving orders of notice

Certified mail service must be sentWithin 7 days of receiving orders of notice

Vital Statistics Form filingBefore the Final Hearing

Quick Reference

To file for divorce in New Hampshire, you must meet one of three residency requirements under RSA 458:5: both spouses reside in the state, the petitioner resides in the state and serves the respondent in New Hampshire, or the petitioner has been domiciled in New Hampshire for at least 1 year. File the Petition for Divorce (Form NHJB-2057-F) or Joint Petition (Form NHJB-2058-F) at the Circuit Court, Family Division, in your county. The filing fee is $280 without minor children or $282 with minor children. Fee waivers are available via Form NHJB-2759-SUP. After filing, serve your spouse — the respondent has 15 days to file an Appearance and 30 days to file an Answer. Both parties must exchange financial documents within 45 days under Rule 1.25-A. If minor children are involved, both parents must complete the $85 Child Impact Program within 45 days under RSA 458-D and attend a First Appearance session within 30 days. Mediation is ordered in most cases under Family Division Rule 2.13. New Hampshire has no mandatory waiting period — uncontested divorces finalize in 2–3 months. Contested cases take 8–14 months.