To start a divorce in California, you need a specific set of court forms, led by the FL-100 Petition and the FL-110 Summons. From there, the exact paperwork depends on your situation: whether you have children, property, or debts, and whether your spouse responds. Every California court uses the same basic set of statewide forms, though some counties add their own local forms on top.
If you’ve looked at the list of California divorce forms and felt your stomach drop, you’re not imagining it. There are a lot of them, they have cryptic names like FL-142 and FL-165, and using the wrong version or missing one is the number one reason filings get rejected.
This guide lays out every divorce paper you’re likely to need, grouped by the stage of your case, in plain English. By the end you’ll know what each form does and where the process usually goes sideways. Quick note: California Divorce Pros is a registered Legal Document Assistant service, not a law firm, so we’ll explain what these forms are, not give you legal advice on your specific case.
Key Takeaways
– Every California divorce starts with two forms: the FL-100 Petition and the FL-110 Summons.
– “Divorce forms” and “divorce papers” mean the same thing; they’re the official Judicial Council forms every California court uses.
– Which forms you need depends on children, property, debts, and whether your spouse responds.
– The forms fall into four stages: starting, financial disclosures, children (if any), and finishing.
– The most common reason filings get rejected is wrong or missing forms, which is exactly what a document preparer prevents.
“Forms” vs “Papers”: They’re the Same Thing
First, let’s clear up a small confusion. People search for “California divorce forms” and “California divorce papers” as if they’re different things. They aren’t. Both refer to the same set of official documents, called Judicial Council forms, that California courts require to process a divorce.
You can download every statewide form for free from the California Courts self-help website. The forms are free. What’s hard, and what trips most people up, is knowing which ones apply to your situation, filling them out correctly, and filing them in the right order.
Want the forms handled for you instead of hunting them down one by one? Here’s how our process works. Or you can start your divorce online right now.
Stage 1: Forms to Start Your Divorce
These are the documents that open your case. Every California divorce begins here.
| Form | Number | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Petition (Marriage/Domestic Partnership) | FL-100 | Officially requests the divorce and states what you’re asking for |
| Summons (Family Law) | FL-110 | Notifies your spouse the case has started and sets legal ground rules |
| Declaration Under UCCJEA | FL-105 | Required only if you have minor children; gives the court custody jurisdiction info |
| Proof of Service of Summons | FL-115 | Proves your spouse was properly served with the papers |
The FL-100 Petition is the heart of your case. It’s where you request the divorce and lay out what you want regarding property, support, and children. The FL-110 Summons goes out with it and carries automatic restraining orders that apply to both spouses the moment the case starts.
If you have minor children, you’ll also file the FL-105 so the court knows it has authority to make custody decisions. And once your spouse is served, the FL-115 proves it happened correctly, which is what actually starts your six-month clock.
Stage 2: Financial Disclosure Forms
California requires both spouses to fully disclose their finances, even in the friendliest uncontested divorce. This is not optional, and incomplete disclosures are a leading cause of delays.
| Form | Number | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration of Disclosure | FL-140 | The cover document for your financial disclosures |
| Schedule of Assets and Debts | FL-142 | Lists everything you own and owe |
| Income and Expense Declaration | FL-150 | Details your income and monthly expenses |
| Declaration Regarding Service of Disclosure | FL-141 | Confirms you exchanged disclosures with your spouse |
Think of this stage as putting all your financial cards on the table. The FL-142 and FL-150 are the substance, your assets, debts, income, and expenses, and the FL-140 and FL-141 are the paperwork proving you prepared and exchanged them properly.
When David and his wife did their own uncontested divorce, they breezed through the starting forms and then stalled here for two months. They’d skipped the FL-141, so the court had no proof they’d exchanged disclosures, and the case simply sat. It wasn’t a hard fix. It was just a form they didn’t know they needed.
Getting tired of decoding form numbers? See our flat-rate plans; we prepare the complete set for you.
Stage 3: Forms If You Have Children
If you and your spouse share minor children, your divorce includes additional paperwork covering custody and support.
| Form | Number | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Child Custody and Visitation Attachment | FL-311 | Spells out the custody and parenting-time arrangement |
| Child Support Information and Order Attachment | FL-342 | Sets out the child support terms |
| Declaration Under UCCJEA | FL-105 | Establishes the court’s authority over custody (also filed at start) |
These forms turn your agreements about the kids into documents the court can approve and enforce. Because custody and support involve legal decisions, this is an area where, if you and your spouse don’t fully agree, it’s worth talking to an attorney. A document preparer can prepare these forms based on what you’ve decided, but we can’t advise you on what you should decide.
Stage 4: Forms to Finish Your Divorce
After the waiting period and disclosures, these forms bring your case to a close. Which ones you use depends on whether your spouse participated.
| Form | Number | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Request to Enter Default | FL-165 | Used when your spouse doesn’t respond |
| Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution | FL-170 | Confirms the case is ready for judgment |
| Judgment | FL-180 | The document the judge signs to end the marriage |
| Notice of Entry of Judgment | FL-190 | Officially notifies both parties the divorce is final |
The FL-180 Judgment is the finish line. It’s the document that, once signed by a judge, legally ends your marriage. The forms around it, the FL-165, FL-170, and FL-190, package your case so the court can review and approve it.
One more to know: if your spouse does formally respond to your Petition, they file the FL-120 Response. That doesn’t necessarily mean your divorce is contested, it just means both of you are participating in the paperwork.
Don’t Forget: County Local Forms
Here’s a detail the statewide lists often skip. On top of the Judicial Council forms above, many counties require their own local forms, and they vary. Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and other counties each have their own additions and formatting rules.
This is where a lot of do-it-yourself filers get caught. They complete every statewide form perfectly, then get rejected because they missed a county-specific document or used the wrong local cover sheet. Knowing your specific court’s requirements is half the battle.
Consider Maria, who filed in Los Angeles County. Her statewide forms were flawless, but her packet came back because she was missing a required local form her neighbor in a different county had never needed. Two weeks lost, over a single county-specific page.
Why So Many Divorces Get Rejected Over Paperwork
Notice a pattern in these stories? The divorce law didn’t slow anyone down. The paperwork did.
California courts reject filings for a handful of predictable reasons: using an outdated form version, missing a required form, incomplete financial disclosures, and county-specific errors. Each rejection sends you to the back of the line, often costing weeks. The forms themselves are free, but the mistakes are expensive in time and stress.
That’s the entire reason document preparation services exist. At California Divorce Pros, we prepare the complete set of California divorce forms your case requires, based on the details you give us, and file them correctly for your specific county. You don’t have to become an expert in FL numbers. That’s our job.
Ready to stop guessing which forms you need? Book a free consultation and we’ll walk you through your options, no pressure.
The California Divorce Forms Library
Each key California divorce form has its own guide explaining what it does, when you need it, and how we prepare it:
- FL-100 — Petition (starts the case)
- FL-110 — Summons
- Proof of Service
- FL-141 — Declaration Regarding Service of Disclosure
- FL-142 — Schedule of Assets and Debts
- FL-150 — Income and Expense Declaration
- FL-160 — Property Declaration
- FL-165 — Request to Enter Default
- FL-170 — Declaration for Default or Uncontested
- FL-180 — Judgment
- FL-190 — Notice of Entry of Judgment
Frequently Asked Questions
What forms do I need to file for divorce in California?
Every California divorce starts with the FL-100 Petition and FL-110 Summons. If you have minor children, you also file the FL-105. After service, you’ll need financial disclosure forms (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150, FL-141) and, at the end, judgment forms (FL-170, FL-180, FL-190). The exact set depends on your situation and county.
Are California divorce forms and divorce papers the same thing?
Yes. Both terms refer to the official Judicial Council forms that California courts use for divorce. “Papers” is just the everyday word for the same documents.
Can I get California divorce forms for free?
Yes. All statewide Judicial Council divorce forms are available for free on the California Courts self-help website. The forms cost nothing; the challenge is completing and filing them correctly, and county courts also charge a separate filing fee.
Why do California courts reject divorce forms?
The most common reasons are outdated form versions, missing forms, incomplete financial disclosures, and missing county-specific local forms. Each rejection delays your case.
Do I need a lawyer to complete California divorce forms?
No. For an uncontested divorce, many Californians complete their forms without an attorney. A registered Legal Document Assistant can prepare and file the forms for you at a fraction of attorney cost. For legal questions about your specific situation, you’d consult an attorney.
The Bottom Line
The list of California divorce forms looks intimidating, but it follows a logic: forms to start your case, forms to disclose your finances, forms for your children if you have them, and forms to finish. Get the right ones, filled out correctly and filed for your county, and your divorce moves forward smoothly. Miss one, and you’re back at the start.
You don’t have to memorize FL numbers or gamble on getting it right. If you and your spouse agree and you just want the paperwork done correctly, that’s exactly what we do.
Book your free consultation today → and let us handle the forms, so you can focus on moving forward.
California Divorce Pros is a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant service. We are not attorneys, do not provide legal advice or representation, and cannot recommend legal forms or strategy. Document preparation is provided at the direction of the client under California Business & Professions Code §§ 6400 to 6415. For legal advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
Free download · The California Divorce Prep Kit
Not ready to file? Start on solid ground.
Nancy’s free 14-page kit helps you sort out the paperwork, the conversations, and the big decisions before anything is filed. Work through it at your own pace, then decide on next steps with confidence.
What’s inside
- Your Paperwork Roundup Checklists for income, accounts, property, debts, and children’s records
- Conversations to Have Questions for yourself, your spouse, and anyone you hire
- Choices to Map Out Custody, support, the house, and retirement, with room for notes
- Your Go-To Reference Key court forms, official links, and budget and asset worksheets
Where should we send your kit?
We’ll email the PDF right away. We never sell or share your information (privacy policy). General information only, not legal advice. California Divorce Pros is a registered LDA, not a law firm.
Part of our complete guide. This article is one chapter of Divorce in California: The Complete Guide — a step-by-step overview of filing, forms, costs, and what to expect.
