Vermont Divorce Checklist
divorce.law/resources/divorce-checklist/vermont/
Prepared: 5/20/2026
Data updated: 3/1/2026
Estimated Timeline
6–12 months for uncontested divorce with children (includes 6-month minimum before final hearing plus 90-day nisi period), 4–6 months for uncontested divorce without children (no mandatory waiting period before final hearing, plus 90-day nisi period which may be waived), 12–24 months for contested divorce in Vermont
Documents to Gather
- Certified copy of marriage certificate
- Birth certificates for all minor children
- Valid Vermont photo identification
- Social Security numbers for both spouses and children
- Proof of Vermont residency for six months
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if any)(if applicable)
- Existing court orders (protective orders, custody orders)(if applicable)
Financial Documents
- Last 2 years of federal and state income tax returns
- Last 4 pay stubs from each employer
- Bank account statements (last 3–6 months)
- Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension, 403b)
- Real estate deeds, mortgage statements, and property tax records
- Vehicle titles, registration, and loan statements
- Credit card and loan statements (last 3 months)
- Health, life, auto, and homeowners insurance policies
- Business ownership documents (if applicable)(if applicable)
- Investment and brokerage account statements
Key Steps
1. Before Filing
- Verify Residency Requirements
- Determine Grounds for Divorce
- Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
- Assess Whether You Qualify for Fee Waivers
- Create a Safety Plan if Domestic Violence Is Involved
2. Filing Process
- Complete the Required Court Forms
- File the Complaint with the Family Division of Superior Court
- Serve Your Spouse with the Divorce Papers
3. After Filing
- Wait for Your Spouse to File an Answer
- File Financial Affidavits and Exchange Financial Information
- Attend the Case Manager Conference
- Complete the COPE Parenting Course (If Minor Children)
- Participate in Mediation or Negotiate a Settlement
- Attend the Final Hearing or Request a Waiver
- Wait Through the 90-Day Nisi Period
Key Deadlines
Quick Reference
To file for divorce in Vermont, you must first establish that either you or your spouse has lived in the state for at least six consecutive months under 15 V.S.A. § 592. File Form 400-00836 (Summons and Complaint for Divorce) with the Family Division of the Superior Court in your county, along with Form 800 (Information Sheet), Form 400-00849 (Statement of Confidential Information), and Form VDH-VR-DIV (Health Department Record). The filing fee is $295 for contested cases or $90 for uncontested stipulated divorces. Serve your spouse within 60 days — the simplest method is voluntary Acceptance of Service using Form 400-00844. Your spouse then has 21 days to file an Answer (Form 400-00837). Both parties must file Financial Affidavits (Forms 813A and 813B) before the case manager conference, which occurs 4–8 weeks after filing. If you have minor children, both parents must complete the COPE parenting course ($79) and the court will not hold a final hearing until at least 6 months after filing. After the judge enters the divorce decree, a mandatory 90-day nisi waiting period applies before the divorce becomes final, though both parties may agree to waive this period. An uncontested divorce without children typically takes 4–6 months; contested cases may take 12–24 months.