Tennessee Divorce Checklist
divorce.law/resources/divorce-checklist/tennessee/
Prepared: 5/20/2026
Data updated: 3/1/2026
Estimated Timeline
60-90 days for uncontested divorces in Tennessee (60 days without minor children, 90 days with minor children per T.C.A. § 36-4-101(b)). Contested divorces typically take 6-18 months depending on complexity, discovery needs, and court backlog. Cases requiring trial may exceed 12 months.
Documents to Gather
- Certified Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificates for Minor Children
- Valid Tennessee Driver's License or State ID
- Social Security Cards
- Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement(if applicable)
- Order of Protection(if applicable)
- Immigration Documents(if applicable)
Financial Documents
- Last 3 Years of Federal and State Tax Returns
- Last 3 Months of Pay Stubs
- Bank Statements (Last 12 Months)
- Retirement Account Statements
- Investment and Brokerage Account Statements
- Real Estate Documents
- Vehicle Titles and Loan Statements
- Credit Card and Debt Statements
- Business Financial Records(if applicable)
- Insurance Policies
- Monthly Household Expense Records
Key Steps
1. Before Filing
- Verify Tennessee Residency Requirements
- Determine Your Grounds for Divorce
- Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
- Create a Safety Plan if Domestic Violence Is Involved
- Draft the Marital Dissolution Agreement for Uncontested Divorce
2. Filing Process
- Complete the Complaint for Divorce
- Prepare the Statutory Injunction for Divorcing Spouses
- File the Complaint and Pay the Filing Fee
- Obtain the Summons from the Clerk
3. After Filing
- Serve Your Spouse with the Divorce Papers
- Wait for Your Spouse's Response
- Complete the Mandatory Parent Education Seminar
- Participate in Discovery and Financial Disclosure
- Attend Mandatory Mediation for Contested Issues
- Submit the Permanent Parenting Plan
- Attend the Final Hearing and Obtain the Divorce Decree
Key Deadlines
Quick Reference
To file for divorce in Tennessee, you must first meet the six-month residency requirement under T.C.A. § 36-4-104 and file a Complaint for Divorce (Form 1) with the Circuit or Chancery Court in your county. The filing fee is $125 without children or $200 with children under T.C.A. § 8-21-401, with fee waivers available via the Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency. Tennessee requires a mandatory Statutory Injunction (Form 7) attached to every divorce filing under T.C.A. § 36-4-106(d), prohibiting both spouses from dissipating assets, canceling insurance, or relocating children. Your spouse has 30 days to respond after service. The mandatory waiting period is 60 days without minor children or 90 days with children under T.C.A. § 36-4-101(b) — this cannot be waived. Uncontested divorces require a signed Marital Dissolution Agreement (Form 5). If children are involved, both parents must complete a 4-hour parent education seminar under T.C.A. § 36-6-408 and file a Permanent Parenting Plan. Contested divorces require mandatory mediation under T.C.A. § 36-4-131. At the final hearing, bring the proposed Final Decree (Form 6) and Certificate of Divorce (VS-215) for the judge's approval.