California divorce involves a lot of paperwork. Between the petition, response, financial disclosures, custody forms, and judgment package, you’re looking at 15–25+ individual forms depending on your situation.
This guide breaks down every form you might need, organized by stage of the process.
Stage 1: Starting the Divorce
These forms initiate the divorce and formally notify your spouse:
| Form | Name | Who Files | Purpose |
| FL-100 | Petition | Petitioner | The main divorce filing — states grounds, requests, and basic facts |
| FL-110 | Summons | Petitioner | Official court notice to the Respondent with automatic temporary restraining orders |
| FL-105/GC-120 | Declaration Under UCCJEA | Petitioner | Required when minor children are involved — declares where children have lived |
| FL-115 | Proof of Service of Summons | Server | Documents how, when, and where the Respondent was served |
Stage 2: Responding
| Form | Name | Who Files | Purpose |
| FL-120 | Response | Respondent | The spouse’s response to the petition — agrees or disagrees with requests |
| FL-130 | Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers | Both | Used when both parties agree to waive certain requirements |
Stage 3: Financial Disclosures
These are mandatory — even in uncontested divorces. The court will not finalize your divorce without proof that disclosures were exchanged.
| Form | Name | Who Files | Purpose |
| FL-140 | Declaration of Disclosure | Both | Cover sheet for the disclosure package |
| FL-142 | Schedule of Assets and Debts | Both | Comprehensive list of all community and separate property |
| FL-150 | Income and Expense Declaration | Both | Detailed income, expenses, and financial obligations |
| FL-155 | Financial Statement (Simplified) | Either | Simplified alternative to FL-150 for simpler cases |
| FL-141 | Declaration Re: Service of Declaration of Disclosure | Both | Confirms disclosures were served on the other party |
Stage 4: Child-Related Forms
Required when minor children are involved:
| Form | Name | Purpose |
| FL-311 | Child Custody and Visitation Order Attachment | Details custody and visitation schedule |
| FL-341(A) | Supervised Visitation Order | When supervised visitation is ordered |
| FL-341(B) | Child Abduction Prevention Order | When abduction risk exists |
| FL-341(C) | Children’s Holiday Schedule | Specific holiday custody arrangement |
| FL-341(D) | Additional Provisions | Additional custody terms |
| FL-341(E) | Joint Legal Custody Attachment | Details of joint legal custody |
| FL-342 | Child Support Information and Order | Child support amount and terms |
| FL-343 | Spousal/Partner Support Order | Spousal support terms |
Stage 5: Judgment Package
These finalize the divorce:
| Form | Name | Who Files | Purpose |
| FL-170 | Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution | Petitioner | Summary of agreements for the judge (default cases) |
| FL-180 | Judgment | Petitioner | The actual divorce judgment |
| FL-190 | Notice of Entry of Judgment | Court | Notifies both parties that the judgment has been entered |
Additional Judgment Attachments
- Marital Settlement Agreement — Your written agreement covering all terms (learn more)
- Property declaration — If dividing specific property
- QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) — If dividing retirement accounts
Special Situation Forms
| Form | Name | When Needed |
| FL-300 | Request for Order | Requesting temporary orders (support, custody, etc.) |
| FL-320 | Responsive Declaration | Responding to a Request for Order |
| FW-001 | Request to Waive Court Fees | If you can’t afford filing fees |
| FL-980 | Application for Service by Publication | If spouse can’t be located |
| FL-410 | Restraining Order After Hearing | If domestic violence protection is needed |
Common Form Mistakes
- Using outdated forms — The Judicial Council updates forms regularly. Always download current versions from courts.ca.gov.
- Leaving fields blank — If a field doesn’t apply, write “N/A” — don’t leave it empty.
- Inconsistent information — Names, dates, and addresses must match across all forms.
- Missing signatures — Every form that requires a signature must be signed by the correct party.
- Wrong case number — Once you receive your case number, it must appear on every subsequent form.
- Forgetting FL-141 — This confirmation that disclosures were served is frequently forgotten and causes judgment rejections.
This Is Why People Use Document Preparation Services
The sheer volume of forms is why most people either hire an attorney ($5,000+) or use a professional document preparation service like Superior Court Docs. We prepare every form you need — correctly, completely, and ready to file — starting at $599.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get California divorce forms?
Download current Judicial Council forms from the California Courts website or from your county court’s website. Always verify you have the most current version — courts reject outdated forms.
How many copies do I need?
Generally, you need the original plus 2 copies — one for you and one for the other party. Some courts require additional copies. Contact us for your specific courthouse requirements.
Can I file California divorce forms online?
Some Los Angeles County courts accept e-filing for certain family law forms. However, not all forms can be e-filed, and the e-filing systems can be confusing. Many people find in-person filing at the clerk’s window more reliable.
Related: The Complete Guide to Divorce in California | How to File for Divorce in LA Without a Lawyer
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