California Divorce Forms: Complete Guide to Every Form You Need (2026)

Filing for divorce in California means navigating a system of Judicial Council forms — each with its own purpose, timing requirement, and consequences for getting it wrong. The sheer number of forms can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with the emotional weight of ending a marriage.

This guide covers every form you are likely to encounter in a California divorce, explains when and why each one is required, and gives you a clear filing timeline so you know what to expect.

Phase 1: Starting the Divorce — The Petition

These are the first forms you file to initiate your divorce case.

FL-100: Petition — Marriage/Domestic Partnership

The FL-100 is the form that officially starts your divorce case. When you file it with the court clerk and pay the filing fee, your case is born and assigned a case number.

What it covers:

• Names and addresses of both spouses
• Date of marriage and date of separation
• Grounds for divorce (California is no-fault — you check “irreconcilable differences”)
• Whether there are minor children of the marriage
• Requests regarding property division, support, custody, and attorney fees

Filing fee: Approximately $435–$450 depending on your county.

Who files it: The Petitioner (the spouse who initiates the divorce).

FL-110: Summons (Family Law)

The FL-110 is the Summons that accompanies your Petition. It informs your spouse that a divorce case has been filed and explains the automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROs) that take effect immediately.

ATROs prohibit both parties from:

• Removing minor children from California without written consent or court order
• Transferring, hiding, or disposing of community property (except for normal living expenses)
• Canceling or changing beneficiaries on insurance policies
• Creating new non-estate-plan debt (except for attorney fees and normal living expenses)

The Summons and Petition must be served together on the Respondent.

FL-115: Proof of Service of Summons

After serving the FL-100 and FL-110 on your spouse, the person who performed service completes the FL-115 to prove to the court that proper service occurred.

Important: You cannot serve your own spouse. A third party over age 18 must perform service — either through personal delivery, substituted service, or service by publication (in rare cases).

Phase 2: Responding to the Petition

FL-120: Response — Marriage/Domestic Partnership

The FL-120 is filed by the Respondent (the spouse who was served). It covers the same topics as the FL-100 but represents the Respondent’s position on each issue.

Filing fee: Approximately $435–$450 (same as the Petition).

Deadline: The Respondent has 30 days from service to file the Response. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment, meaning the court may grant everything the Petitioner requested.

FL-120 vs. Not Responding (Default)

If the Respondent does not file an FL-120 within 30 days:

• The Petitioner can request a default judgment (Form FL-165)
• The court may grant the Petitioner’s requests without the Respondent’s input
• The Respondent loses the right to participate in the proceedings unless they file a motion to set aside the default

Even in amicable divorces, it is generally advisable for the Respondent to file an FL-120 to preserve their rights and participate in the process.

Phase 3: Financial Disclosure — The Most Critical Phase

Financial disclosure is where most self-represented litigants get tripped up. California requires both parties to exchange detailed financial information, regardless of whether the divorce is contested.

FL-150: Income and Expense Declaration

The FL-150 is the centerpiece of financial disclosure. It reports your income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets, debts, and attorney fees. The court uses this information to calculate child support and spousal support.

For a comprehensive overview of the FL-150 — including its history, filing triggers, and common misconceptions — see our complete FL-150 guide. For detailed instructions on completing each section, see our FL-150 form filling guide.

Required attachments:

• Two most recent pay stubs
• Most recent federal and state tax returns

Service deadline: At least 16 court days before any hearing involving support.

FL-155: Simplified Financial Statement

The FL-155 is a shorter alternative to the FL-150, available only when your gross annual income is under $184,000 and there are no complex financial issues. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on FL-150 vs FL-155 simplified financial statement.

FL-142: Schedule of Assets and Debts (or FL-160)

While the FL-150 includes a brief asset/debt summary, the FL-142 (or the simplified FL-160) is a comprehensive inventory of all community and separate property. This form is required as part of your preliminary and final declarations of disclosure.

What to list:

• Real property (homes, land, rental properties)
• Bank and credit union accounts
• Retirement and pension accounts (401(k), IRA, pension)
• Stocks, bonds, mutual funds
• Business interests
• Vehicles, boats, RVs
• Personal property of significant value
• All debts (mortgages, loans, credit cards, taxes owed)

FL-141: Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure

The FL-141 is your sworn statement confirming that you completed your financial disclosure obligations. Both parties must file an FL-141 before the court will finalize the divorce.

There are two rounds of disclosure:

1. Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure — served early in the case (FL-150 + FL-142 + tax returns)
2. Final Declaration of Disclosure — served before judgment (updated FL-150 + FL-142)

The parties can agree in writing to waive the Final Declaration of Disclosure (but never the Preliminary).

Phase 4: Temporary Orders (If Needed)

If you need the court to make decisions before the divorce is finalized — about custody, visitation, support, or property protection — you will use these forms.

FL-300: Request for Order (RFO)

The FL-300 is used to ask the court for temporary orders while the divorce is pending. Common requests include:

• Temporary child custody and visitation schedule
• Temporary child support
• Temporary spousal support
• Exclusive use of the family home
• Restraining orders beyond the ATROs
• Attorney fee contribution orders

The FL-300 must be filed with a supporting declaration and an FL-150, then served on the other party at least 16 court days before the hearing.

FL-311: Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment

If your RFO includes custody or visitation requests, attach the FL-311 to provide specific details about your proposed parenting plan.

FL-320: Responsive Declaration to Request for Order

If you are the party responding to an RFO, you file the FL-320 with your own supporting arguments and an updated FL-150.

Phase 5: Children — Custody and Support Forms

FL-105: Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)

Required in every case involving minor children. This form establishes California’s jurisdiction over custody matters by disclosing where the children have lived for the past 5 years.

FL-341: Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Order Attachment

Attached to the final judgment to spell out the custody and visitation schedule.

FL-342: Child Support Information and Order Attachment

Attached to the final judgment to document the child support order, including the amount, payment schedule, and how medical insurance is handled.

FL-195: Income Withholding for Support

This form directs the paying spouse’s employer to withhold child support directly from their paycheck. California law requires automatic income withholding in most support orders.

Phase 6: Finalizing the Divorce — Judgment

FL-180: Judgment

The FL-180 is the form that officially ends your marriage. It is the final document the court signs. The judgment incorporates all agreements and orders regarding property division, support, custody, and visitation.

Remember: California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period. Your judgment cannot be entered until at least 6 months and 1 day after the Respondent was served with the Summons and Petition.

FL-190: Notice of Entry of Judgment

After the judge signs the FL-180, the clerk files it and mails the FL-190 to both parties, notifying them that the judgment has been entered and the divorce is final.

FL-170: Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution

If both parties agree on all terms (or the Respondent defaulted by not responding), the FL-170 package is used to submit the case for judgment without a trial.

Fee Waivers

FW-001: Request to Waive Court Fees

If you cannot afford the filing fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. You are automatically eligible if you:

• Receive public benefits (CalWORKs, SSI, Medi-Cal, food stamps, county relief)
• Earn below 125% of the federal poverty level
• Cannot pay basic living expenses and court fees

The fee waiver covers filing fees, service of process costs, and other court fees.

Complete Filing Timeline

Here is the typical sequence for an uncontested divorce (both parties agree on all terms):

Step	Form(s)	Timeline
1. File Petition	FL-100 + FL-110	Day 1
2. Serve Respondent	FL-115 (proof of service)	Within 60 days of filing
3. Respondent files Response	FL-120	Within 30 days of service
4. Preliminary Disclosure	FL-150 + FL-142 + FL-141	Within 60 days of filing Petition
5. Negotiate Agreement	Marital Settlement Agreement	Months 2-5
6. Final Disclosure	Updated FL-150 + FL-142 + FL-141	Before submitting judgment
7. Submit Judgment	FL-180 + FL-170 + attachments	After 6-month waiting period
8. Court enters Judgment	FL-190 mailed to both parties	2-6 weeks after submission

Total timeline: 6-8 months for uncontested cases. Contested divorces with trials can take 1-3 years.

If you are considering handling your divorce without an attorney, our step-by-step DIY divorce process guide covers the entire journey from filing to finalization.

Where to Get Help

Free Resources

• California Courts Self-Help Center: courts.ca.gov/selfhelp — free form downloads, instructions, and guides
• County Self-Help Centers: Most California courthouses have in-person self-help centers staffed by attorneys who can assist with form completion
• Legal Aid Organizations: Free legal assistance for qualifying low-income individuals

Online Tools

• DivorceFormHelper — guided FL-150 completion with auto-calculations, error checking, and instant PDF generation ($29)
• California Courts Online Self-Help — free instructions for each form

When to Hire an Attorney

While many California divorces can be handled pro se (without an attorney), consider hiring one if:

• There are significant assets or debts to divide
• One or both spouses own a business
• Custody is disputed
• There is a history of domestic violence
• One spouse has significantly more financial knowledge or power than the other

Our income and expense declaration guide provides detailed help for the form that matters most for support calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What forms do I need to file for divorce in California?

At minimum, you need the FL-100 (Petition), FL-110 (Summons), FL-150 (Income and Expense Declaration), FL-141 (Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure), FL-180 (Judgment), and proof of service forms. Additional forms may be required depending on whether you have children, property disputes, or need temporary court orders.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in California?

The initial filing fee for a California divorce petition (FL-100) is approximately $435 to $450 depending on the county. The responding party pays a similar fee to file their response (FL-120). Fee waivers are available through Form FW-001 for those who qualify based on income or public benefits.

What is the FL-100 form?

The FL-100 (Petition — Marriage/Domestic Partnership) is the form that officially starts your California divorce case. It identifies both spouses, states the grounds for divorce (California is a no-fault state, so you check “irreconcilable differences”), and indicates whether you are requesting orders regarding property, support, child custody, or attorney fees.

Do I need a lawyer to file divorce forms in California?

No. California allows self-represented (pro per) litigants to file all divorce forms without an attorney. Many counties offer self-help centers that provide free assistance with form completion and filing procedures. However, cases involving significant assets, business ownership, custody disputes, or domestic violence may benefit from legal representation.

How long does a California divorce take?

California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period from the date the respondent is served with the petition. The earliest your divorce can be finalized is 6 months and 1 day after service. Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all terms) typically finalize in 6-8 months. Contested divorces can take 1-3 years or more depending on the complexity of the issues.

What is the difference between FL-100 and FL-120?

The FL-100 is the Petition filed by the person initiating the divorce (the Petitioner). The FL-120 is the Response filed by the other spouse (the Respondent). Both forms cover the same topics — grounds for divorce, property, support, and custody requests — but they represent each party’s respective position.

Where can I download California divorce forms?

All California Judicial Council family law forms are available for free download at courts.ca.gov. You can also access them through your county court’s self-help center website. Online tools like DivorceFormHelper provide guided form completion for specific forms like the FL-150.