New Jersey Divorce Checklist
divorce.law/resources/divorce-checklist/new-jersey/
Prepared: 5/20/2026
Data updated: 3/1/2026
Estimated Timeline
6-12 weeks for a simple uncontested divorce with no children, 3-6 months for an uncontested divorce with children, and 8-12 months for a contested divorce in New Jersey. There is no mandatory waiting period — the divorce is final when the judge signs the Final Judgment of Divorce.
Documents to Gather
- Certified copy of marriage certificate
- Birth certificates for all minor children
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if applicable)(if applicable)
- Prior court orders (custody, support, restraining orders)(if applicable)
- Social Security cards for both spouses and minor children
- New Jersey driver's license or state-issued photo ID
- Proof of residency (utility bills, lease, mortgage statement)
- Immigration documents (if applicable)(if applicable)
Financial Documents
- Last 3 years of federal and state income tax returns
- W-2s and 1099s for the last 3 years
- Last 8 weeks of pay stubs
- 12 months of bank statements for all accounts
- Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
- Investment and brokerage account statements
- Real estate deeds and mortgage statements
- Vehicle titles and loan statements
- Business financial statements and tax returns (if self-employed)(if applicable)
- Credit card statements for the past 12 months
- Life insurance policy documents
- Health insurance enrollment documents
- Student loan and personal loan statements
Key Steps
1. Before Filing
- Verify Residency Requirements
- Determine Grounds for Divorce
- Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
- Create a Safety Plan If Domestic Violence Is Involved
2. Filing Process
- Prepare and File the Complaint for Divorce
- File the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet
- File the Certification of Insurance Coverage
- File the CDR Certification
3. After Filing
- Serve Your Spouse with Divorce Papers
- Wait for Spouse's Response
- File the Case Information Statement
- Complete the Parent Education Program
- Participate in Discovery
- Attend the Early Settlement Panel
- Complete Post-ESP Economic Mediation
- Attend Trial or Submit Uncontested Divorce Papers
Key Deadlines
Quick Reference
To file for divorce in New Jersey, you must first establish that at least one spouse has resided in the state for 12 consecutive months under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, then file a Complaint for Divorce with the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part in your county along with a Summons, Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (Form CN 10486), Certification of Insurance Coverage, and CDR Certification. The filing fee is $300.00, with fee waivers available via Form CN 11208. Your spouse must be served within 60 days and has 35 days to respond after personal service. Both parties must file a Case Information Statement (Form CN 10482) disclosing all income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Parents of minor children must complete the Parent Education Program within 90 days of filing per N.J.S.A. 2A:34-12.5. Contested cases proceed through the Early Settlement Panel and mandatory post-ESP economic mediation before trial. An uncontested divorce can be finalized in 6-12 weeks; contested cases typically resolve within 12 months. New Jersey has no mandatory waiting period — the divorce is final immediately upon entry of the Final Judgment.