CT divorce forms: every document you need to file in Connecticut

Last updated 2026-07-09

What forms do you need to file for divorce in Connecticut?

Every Connecticut divorce, contested or not, opens with the same core packet filed in Superior Court under the Family Division. The Judicial Branch standardized most of the paperwork, so the forms are the same whether you hire a lawyer or file yourself. Here is what the plaintiff (the spouse who files first) hands in on day one.

• JD-FM-3: Summons, Family Actions. The cover sheet that officially opens the case.
• JD-FM-159: Complaint for Divorce. The document that asks the court to end the marriage. It states the grounds (Connecticut allows the no-fault ground of "irretrievable breakdown"), the date of marriage, any minor children, and what you want the court to order.
• JD-FM-158 (only if you have minor children): Notice of Automatic Court Orders. It must be served on the other spouse with the summons and complaint. These orders freeze major financial moves and parenting changes the moment the case is filed. ^[1]
• Marshal's return of service: Connecticut requires a state marshal, not a process server you found online, to serve the defendant. You pay the marshal, they hand back proof of service.

The defendant then files one form:

• JD-CV-1: Appearance. It tells the court the defendant is taking part. File it within two days of the return date. ^[2]

If the defendant agrees with everything and does not plan to fight, they sometimes sign a waiver of service instead, which skips the marshal step.

Those are the opening documents. The case cannot close without several more, listed below.

Which Connecticut divorce forms cover finances and children?

Once the case is open, each spouse files a Financial Affidavit under oath. This is the form people underestimate, and it is the one judges read most closely.

JD-FM-6: Financial Affidavit (Long Form). If either spouse earns more than $75,000 a year, both use this version. It runs several pages: weekly income from every source, monthly expenses, every asset (real estate, retirement accounts, bank accounts, vehicles), and all debts. ^[3]

JD-FM-6S: Financial Affidavit (Short Form). Used when both spouses earn $75,000 or less. Shorter, same categories.

The affidavit is signed under oath. Hiding income or leaving off a 401(k) is perjury, not a clerical slip.

With minor children, two more forms are required.

JD-FM-149: Affidavit Concerning Children, plus a Parenting Education Program certificate. Connecticut law requires every parent in a case with minor children to finish a state-approved parenting education program. ^[4] The certificate proving you finished must be filed before the final hearing. Programs run about six hours and cost roughly $125 to $150, online or in person.

JD-FM-199: Parenting Plan. If you and your spouse agree on custody, visitation, holiday splits, and decision-making, you write that into this form or attach a detailed plan. Courts want specifics, not "we'll figure it out."

You also need a child support worksheet. Connecticut runs its own child support guidelines, and the worksheet posted by the Department of Social Services calculates the presumptive support amount from both parents' incomes and the custody split. ^[5] A judge can deviate from that number, but only with a written reason.

Want to run the numbers before you touch an official form? Our child support calculator gives you a working estimate.

What is the JD-FM-172 and do you need it?

JD-FM-172 is the Dissolution Agreement (also called a Separation Agreement). For an uncontested divorce, it is the heart of the case. Yes, you need it.

Think of it as a contract between the spouses that settles every issue the divorce must resolve: property division, retirement account splits, debt allocation, alimony (if any), life insurance, and child arrangements. Once the court approves it and folds it into the final decree, it becomes a court order, enforceable like any other judgment.

Connecticut has no one-page, fill-in-the-blank version. JD-FM-172 is a structured template. Most filers expand it or attach a full typed agreement. The form gives you the required legal language; you supply the terms.

Four things people leave out that cause trouble at the hearing:

• Real estate. Say who keeps the house or whether it sells. If one spouse is buying the other out, put the exact amount and deadline in writing.
• Retirement accounts. "Husband keeps his 401(k)" is not enough. If a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is needed to split a plan, the agreement should say so. ^[6]
• Tax filing status for the year of the divorce. Who claims what is real money. Address it.
• Life insurance. If alimony or child support is part of the deal, most judges want a life insurance requirement written in as a backstop.

Get the agreement right the first time. A vague one gets bounced back for revision and adds weeks to your case.

For the national picture on what goes into divorce papers, that guide covers what is standard across states.

Where do you get Connecticut divorce forms for free?

The Connecticut Judicial Branch publishes every standard form at no cost on its official site. The Self-Help section at jud.ct.gov lists all JD-FM forms with downloadable PDFs and fillable versions. ^[7]

Direct path: jud.ct.gov, then "Self-Help," then "Family," then "Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)."

You can also grab paper copies at any Superior Court clerk's office. Not sure which courthouse covers you? The Judicial Branch site has a court finder by town.

Some courthouses keep physical self-help centers staffed by volunteer attorneys or court service officers. They cannot give legal advice, but they can confirm you have the right forms and answer procedural questions. Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Waterbury have historically had active centers, though staffing shifts.

A word on third-party form sites. Plenty of sites sell Connecticut divorce forms. Some are accurate. Some are stale. Form numbers and requirements change, and the Judicial Branch version is always the one that controls. If you buy a packet elsewhere, check every form number against jud.ct.gov before you file.

If you would rather have the full set assembled, numbered, and checked against current Connecticut requirements without doing the cross-referencing yourself, DivorceClear's $149 document packet prepares everything from your answers and flags which forms apply to your situation. The court's free forms work fine too, as long as you match them carefully.

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

Connecticut's divorce filing fee is $360 as of 2024. ^[8] That covers the plaintiff's filing. The defendant pays nothing to file an appearance.

You also pay a state marshal to serve the defendant. Fees vary by county and distance, but expect $50 to $100 for standard residential service in the same county.

Want certified copies of the final decree? You will want at least two, for a name change and your records. Each one costs $25. ^[8]

If you genuinely cannot afford the filing fee, Connecticut has a waiver process. You file JD-FM-75 (Application for Waiver of Fees) with supporting financial documentation, and the court can waive or reduce the fee. The threshold is not rigid; the clerk weighs your whole financial picture. ^[9]

Other real costs that are not filing fees:

• Parenting education program: $125 to $150
• State marshal service: $50 to $100
• Certified copies: $25 each
• QDRO drafting, if you are dividing a retirement plan: $500 to $1,500 from a specialist (optional to handle during the divorce itself)

All standard fees paid, a simple uncontested divorce with no children runs about $500 to $600 out of pocket. Add the parenting program if you have kids and it lands closer to $625 to $750.

Curious how Connecticut stacks up nationally? See divorce rate in America for broader cost and trend data.

How long does Connecticut divorce take after you file?

Connecticut sets a mandatory 90-day waiting period that runs from the date of service, not the filing date, before a court can enter a final decree. ^[10] The statute is Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 46b-67, which states that "no dissolution of marriage or legal separation shall be decreed until at least ninety days after the day on which the complaint is made returnable."

In practice, uncontested divorces in Connecticut finalize in three to four months from filing. Contested cases can take 12 to 24 months or longer.

Once the 90-day window opens, the court schedules a final hearing (sometimes called a judgment hearing or uncontested docket). It is usually short, 10 to 20 minutes. The judge reads the dissolution agreement, asks each spouse a few questions to confirm it is voluntary and fair, and enters the decree if satisfied.

The return date confuses a lot of filers. It decides nothing. It is the date the case officially enters the court's docket, set at least 12 days after service. ^[2] Treat it as the case's birthday in the system, not a hearing.

What stretches a case past four months: missing forms, a financial affidavit the judge finds incomplete, a dissolution agreement that skips a required provision, or a parenting education certificate that never got filed. Clean paperwork at the start is the surest way to stay on the short end.

What are the residency requirements to file in Connecticut?

At least one spouse must have lived in Connecticut for the 12 months right before filing the complaint, OR the irretrievable breakdown must have happened in Connecticut, OR at least one spouse lived in Connecticut when the couple married and returned with the intent to stay. ^[10]

Plain version: if you have lived here a year, you can file. Most people meet this without a second thought.

You file in the Superior Court for the judicial district where either spouse lives. Connecticut has 13 judicial districts. Live in Fairfield County, you file in Bridgeport. Live in Hartford County, you file in Hartford. The Judicial Branch court locator at jud.ct.gov confirms your courthouse.

You cannot file in Connecticut just because you married here. If neither spouse lives in the state now, Connecticut is not your court.

Do you need a lawyer to file for divorce in Connecticut, or can you do it yourself?

Connecticut allows self-represented divorce, officially called pro se filing. The Judicial Branch backs this with its self-help resources, and thousands of people file without attorneys every year.

Let's be honest about where doing it yourself goes smoothly and where it gets messy.

It works well when both spouses agree on everything, there is little or no real property or the split is simple, neither spouse has a pension or defined-benefit plan, no business is involved, and custody is amicable.

It gets complicated when you own a house with real equity and need a deed change, one spouse has a military or government pension (those carry their own rules), there are business assets to value, or the marriage carried heavy debt in only one spouse's name.

If your situation is genuinely clean and agreed, the paperwork is manageable. The forms are free, the self-help center staff can answer procedural questions, and the filing fee is the same either way.

Still weighing whether a divorce lawyer or divorce attorney earns its cost? Those guides walk through when professional help changes the outcome and when it is just expensive peace of mind.

What happens at the final hearing and what do you bring?

Connecticut uncontested hearings are short. Both spouses usually appear before a judge. Some courthouses have handled certain uncontested matters by affidavit without both parties present, so confirm with your clerk whether that is an option in your district.

What to bring:

• Photo ID
• Copies of every filed document (summons, complaint, dissolution agreement, financial affidavits)
• Parenting education certificates, if you have children
• Any exhibits the dissolution agreement references (a property appraisal or account statements, in case the judge asks)
• The proposed decree, typically JD-FM-181 (Decree Dissolving a Marriage or Civil Union). Some districts have clerks prepare it; others expect the parties to draft it.

The judge asks each spouse basic questions. Did you sign the agreement voluntarily? Do you understand its terms? Do you believe it is fair? Are there any minor children not listed? Is the marriage irretrievably broken?

Answer clearly and honestly. This is not a trap. The judge is confirming the record, not hunting for a reason to reject your deal.

If everything is in order, the decree is entered that day. You are legally divorced at that moment, not when the paper copy arrives in the mail.

If you asked for a name restoration (you can restore a birth name or former name through the divorce), the decree reflects it. Take the certified copy to the Social Security Administration first, then the DMV, then your bank. That is the right order for a name change.

How do Connecticut divorce forms handle alimony?

Connecticut calls it alimony (people say spousal support or maintenance in conversation, but the statute says alimony). It lives in the dissolution agreement. There is no separate mandated form.

Connecticut judges have broad discretion here. Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 46b-82 lists the factors a judge weighs: the length of the marriage, the causes of the dissolution, and each spouse's age, health, station, occupation, income, employability, and chance to acquire future income or assets. ^[11] Unlike child support, there is no formula.

In an uncontested case, you and your spouse agree on whether alimony is paid, the amount, the duration, and whether it can change. Your dissolution agreement should spell out:

• The weekly or monthly amount
• The term (a set number of months or years, or permanent)
• The events that end it (remarriage, cohabitation, death)
• Whether either party can modify it if circumstances shift

A judge can reject alimony terms that look grossly unfair. For uncontested cases between informed adults, courts generally sign off on what the couple agreed to.

For how alimony plays out in practice, our alimony guide covers the national framework and what courts actually look for.

Complete list of Connecticut divorce form numbers and when each is used

Here is a reference table of the main forms for a dissolution of marriage in Connecticut. Availability and requirements are published by the Connecticut Judicial Branch. ^[7]

Form Number	Form Name	Who Files	When Required
JD-FM-3	Summons, Family Actions	Plaintiff	At filing
JD-FM-159	Complaint for Divorce	Plaintiff	At filing
JD-FM-158	Notice of Automatic Court Orders	Plaintiff (served on defendant)	At filing, if minor children
JD-CV-1	Appearance	Defendant	Within 2 days of return date
JD-FM-6	Financial Affidavit (Long Form, income over $75k)	Both spouses	Before final hearing
JD-FM-6S	Financial Affidavit (Short Form, income $75k or under)	Both spouses	Before final hearing
JD-FM-172	Dissolution/Separation Agreement	Both spouses	Before final hearing
JD-FM-199	Parenting Plan	Both spouses	Before final hearing, if minor children
JD-FM-149	Affidavit Concerning Children	Filing party	With complaint, if minor children
JD-FM-181	Decree Dissolving a Marriage	Court/parties	At final hearing
JD-FM-75	Application for Waiver of Fees	Plaintiff	If seeking fee waiver
Child Support Worksheet	CT Child Support Guidelines Worksheet	Both spouses	Before final hearing, if minor children

This covers the standard uncontested track. Extra forms may apply if you have pension plans needing QDROs, real estate needing deed transfers, or other specific assets.

What mistakes do people make on Connecticut divorce forms?

A handful of errors send Connecticut divorce cases back for correction over and over. Here are the ones that cost people the most time.

Wrong financial affidavit version. Using the short form when one spouse earns over $75,000. The clerk or judge catches it, and you refile.

Vague dissolution agreement. Writing "wife keeps the house" without saying whether the mortgage transfers, what happens if refinancing is denied, and the deadline to complete the transfer. Judges want timelines and contingencies.

Skipping service of the automatic orders. With children involved, JD-FM-158 must be served on the defendant with the initial papers, not filed later. Skip it and you can void the automatic orders that protect both parties while the case is open.

Forgetting the parenting education certificate. Parents finish the program but forget to file the certificate before the hearing, so they reschedule. The class is easy to finish online. The filing step is what people forget.

Wrong court. Filing in the wrong judicial district after a search for "Connecticut divorce court" landed on the wrong one. There are 13 districts. File where you or your spouse actually live.

Bad notarization. The financial affidavit must be signed in front of a notary or court clerk. Signing it at home and handing it in is technically perjury, and practically it gets rejected.

Leaving out debt. The dissolution agreement has to address all marital debt, not only the assets. Courts can hold both spouses liable for joint debt regardless of what your agreement says, but the agreement still needs to name who is responsible between the two of you.

Want a check before you file? DivorceClear's $149 document packet walks through every form, pre-fills what you have agreed on, and flags the errors above before you print.

Frequently asked questions

Can I download Connecticut divorce forms for free?

Yes. The Connecticut Judicial Branch posts every standard JD-FM divorce form as a free PDF or fillable form at jud.ct.gov under the Self-Help and Family sections. You do not need to pay a third-party site for the official forms, though some people pay for help completing them correctly.

What is the filing fee for divorce in Connecticut?

The filing fee is $360 as of 2024. That covers the plaintiff's initial filing. Other costs include state marshal service ($50 to $100), certified copies of the decree ($25 each), and, if you have minor children, a parenting education program ($125 to $150). A fee waiver is available using form JD-FM-75 if you cannot afford it.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period before a final decree can be entered. In practice, most uncontested divorces finalize in three to four months from the filing date, assuming the paperwork is complete and correct. Missing forms or a vague agreement can push the timeline past six months.

What is a JD-FM-6 form in Connecticut?

JD-FM-6 is Connecticut's Financial Affidavit (Long Form). Both spouses each file one if either earns more than $75,000 a year. It lists all income sources, monthly expenses, assets, and debts, and it is signed under oath. If both spouses earn $75,000 or less, the shorter JD-FM-6S form is used instead.

Do both spouses have to appear at the final divorce hearing in Connecticut?

Generally yes. Most Connecticut Superior Courts require both spouses at the uncontested hearing, where the judge asks brief questions confirming the agreement is voluntary and the marriage is irretrievably broken. Some districts have limited provisions for affidavit-based proceedings. Confirm the procedure with your courthouse clerk before the hearing date.

What grounds for divorce does Connecticut allow?

Connecticut allows no-fault divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. It is by far the most common ground and requires no proof of wrongdoing. Fault grounds (adultery, abandonment, intolerable cruelty) exist under Connecticut law but are rarely used and are not necessary for an uncontested divorce.

Do I need a parenting education class for a Connecticut divorce with no minor children?

No. The parenting education program is only required when the divorce involves minor children. Connecticut General Statutes Section 46b-69b mandates the program in those cases. If you have no children under 18, you skip this step and do not file that certificate.

What is the automatic court orders form JD-FM-158?

JD-FM-158 is the Notice of Automatic Court Orders, served on the defendant spouse with the summons and complaint when minor children are involved. The orders bar both spouses from removing children from Connecticut, dissipating assets, canceling insurance, or making major financial moves while the case is pending. They take effect the moment the case is filed.

Can I file for divorce in Connecticut if I was married in another state?

Yes. Where you married does not decide where you divorce. Residency does. At least one spouse must have lived in Connecticut for the 12 months before filing, or meet one of the alternative residency bases under Connecticut General Statutes Section 46b-44. Many couples married elsewhere divorce in Connecticut because that is where they now live.

How do I serve divorce papers on my spouse in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires service by a state marshal (or a deputy sheriff in some situations). You cannot serve the papers yourself, and private process servers are not authorized for this. You hire a marshal, give them the documents and your spouse's address, and they complete service and return proof to you. Marshal fees run about $50 to $100 for standard in-county residential service.

What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers in Connecticut?

If your spouse refuses to cooperate, the divorce becomes contested. Your spouse does not have to sign anything for it to proceed; they simply cannot block it forever. After the return date, if the defendant does not appear or contest, you can seek a default judgment. If they actively contest issues, the case heads to trial or mediation, and you lose the uncontested track.

Is a separation agreement the same as a dissolution agreement in Connecticut?

Functionally yes, for a Connecticut divorce. Form JD-FM-172 is titled Dissolution Agreement, but lawyers and parties often call the same document a separation agreement. Once the court approves it and folds it into the final decree, it becomes a binding court order. Some couples sign a separation agreement before filing, but it only becomes enforceable once a court adopts it.

Do I need a QDRO to divide retirement accounts in a Connecticut divorce?

If you are dividing a 401(k), 403(b), or pension through a divorce, a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is usually required to move the funds without triggering early-withdrawal penalties or taxes. IRAs use a different process (a transfer incident to divorce). The decree itself does not divide retirement accounts; a separate QDRO does. Drafting one typically costs $500 to $1,500 from a specialist.

Where do I file Connecticut divorce forms?

You file at the Superior Court for the judicial district where you or your spouse currently lives. Connecticut has 13 judicial districts. The Judicial Branch court locator at jud.ct.gov identifies the correct courthouse by town. Filing in the wrong district is a common mistake that delays the case.

Sources

1. Connecticut Judicial Branch, Dissolution of Marriage Self-Help: JD-FM-158 Notice of Automatic Court Orders must be served with the summons and complaint when minor children are involved
2. Connecticut Judicial Branch, Practice Book Section 25-4: Defendant must file an Appearance (JD-CV-1) within two days of the return date; the return date is the date the case enters the docket, not a hearing
3. Connecticut Judicial Branch, JD-FM-6 Financial Affidavit Instructions: JD-FM-6 long form is required when either spouse earns more than $75,000 per year; JD-FM-6S short form applies when both earn $75,000 or less
4. Connecticut Department of Social Services, Child Support Guidelines: Connecticut uses a state child support guidelines worksheet to calculate the presumptive support amount based on both parents' incomes and custody arrangement
5. U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, QDRO guidance: A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is required to divide 401(k) and pension plan assets in a divorce without triggering early withdrawal penalties
6. Connecticut Judicial Branch, JD-FM Forms Index: The Connecticut Judicial Branch publishes all standard JD-FM divorce forms as free PDF and fillable downloads on its website
7. Connecticut Judicial Branch, Court Fees: Connecticut divorce filing fee is $360; certified copies of the decree cost $25 each
8. Connecticut Judicial Branch, JD-FM-75 Application for Waiver of Fees: Fee waiver form JD-FM-75 is available for filers who cannot afford the filing fee; the court reviews total financial picture to determine eligibility