Essential Divorce Paperwork for California

Missing a single signature or wrong form number can send you back to the clerk—costing time, money, and momentum. Use this comprehensive paperwork roadmap to file right the first time.

Divorce forms neatly stacked with a pen and California courthouse emblem

California family-law clerks reject thousands of filings each year for minor errors—forgotten page numbers, missing captions, outdated form revisions. This guide collects every form you may need from the first Petition to the final Judgment packet, explains when to file, who serves what, and lists the most common rejection pitfalls. Work through the interactive checklist below as you prepare documents and watch the completion badge tick upward.

1. Paperwork Overview & Filing Tracks

California divorces follow two document tracks: Petitioner (the spouse who starts the case) files first-round forms and completes personal service. Respondent (the spouse served) files a response packet within 30 days or risks default. After that, both spouses travel the same disclosure and judgment path. Statewide Judicial Council forms keep requirements uniform, but every county adds local cover sheets, department codes, and e-filing nuances. Double-check your county’s website before printing.

  • State Forms: FL-series and FW-series accepted in all 58 counties.
  • Local Supplements: Case Cover Sheet, Notice of Related Case, or e-filing barcode pages.
  • Service of Process: Personal delivery for the Summons; mail with Notice & Acknowledgment or third-party courier for later documents.

Pro Tip: Print a second copy of every form on pale-yellow paper; it helps you instantly locate “file-stamped originals” in your binder on hearing day.

2. Petition Forms (Starting the Case)

The Petitioner prepares the opening salvo. File-stamp three copies—one for the court, one to serve, one for your records.

  • FL-100 – Petition for Dissolution: Lists marriage dates, children, property demands. Filing fee ≈ $435. Common rejection: missing “date of separation.”
  • FL-110 – Summons: Automatic restraining orders on property, insurance, and child removal.
  • FL-105 / FL-311: UCCJEA attachment and parenting-time request if minor children are involved.
  • FW-001 & FW-003: Fee-waiver application and order if you meet income guidelines.
  • Local Family-Law Cover Sheet: Required in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and others—check county rules.

Pro Tip: Use the most recent form revision (bottom left corner shows “Rev. 07/2025”). Clerks reject outdated versions—even if content is identical.

3. Response Forms (Meeting the 30-Day Deadline)

Served spouses have 30 calendar days to respond. File on day 29 if needed; day 31 may trigger a default judgment.

  • FL-120 – Response & Request for Dissolution: Mirrors FL-100; check only boxes you dispute.
  • FL-105 / FL-311: Repeat child information & parenting-time request.
  • Proof of Service: FL-335 (personal) or FL-345 (mail) attached behind each form.

Unsure how to complete FL-120? See our Responding to Divorce Guide for a box-by-box walkthrough.

Pro Tip: Clip a blank envelope with first-class postage to your filing—some clerks mail your file-stamped copy instead of handing it back.

4. Financial Disclosure Packets

Both spouses must exchange a Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure within 60 days of filing their first pleading. Failing to serve disclosures can bar you from presenting documents later and opens the door to monetary sanctions.

Preliminary vs. Final Disclosures
Form Preliminary Final Who Receives
FL-140 Cover Sheet ✓ ✓ Opposing party only
FL-142 Schedule of Assets & Debts
or FL-160 Property Declaration		 ✓ ✓ Opposing party only
FL-150 Income & Expense Declaration ✓ ✓ Opposing party & court (if support requested)
Tax Returns (2 years) ✓ Optional if unchanged Opposing party

For a deeper dive into valuation strategies and privacy redactions, explore our Financial Disclosure Guide.

Pro Tip: Black-out Social Security numbers and child names before serving—Family Code §2024 protects private data when possible.

5. Judgment Packet & Finalization

Whether you settle or proceed to trial, the clerk cannot enter a final Judgment until a complete packet is on file. Typical components include:

  • FL-180 – Judgment Form: Captures marriage dates, restoration of former name, and judgment type.
  • Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA): Attached when parties stipulate; spell out custody, support, and property terms.
  • FL-341 series: Custody & visitation attachments.
  • FL-342 / FL-343: Child or spousal support orders.
  • Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190) with two stamped envelopes—one to each spouse.

Pro Tip: Ask the filing window for a “judgment pre-scan” so clerks catch missing signatures before you leave.

6. Optional & County-Specific Documents

California’s 58 counties tweak paperwork flow. Below are four high-volume courts and a headline requirement for each:

County Unique Requirement Learn More
Los Angeles Family-Law Case Cover Sheet (local Form FAM-020) LA Court Details
Orange E-filing barcode page stapled on top of every packet Orange Court
San Diego Mandatory online “Checklists” slip attached to judgment San Diego Court
Sacramento Self-addressed stamped envelope for minute orders Sacramento Court

Pro Tip: Even if your county allows e-filing, keep one paper set ready—computer or payment portal outages can stall deadlines.

Interactive Divorce Paperwork Checklist

Tick each form as you complete it—your progress badge updates in real time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Clerks will reject filings that don’t match current Judicial Council numbers. You must correct, refile, and re-serve any form that changes substantive information—especially FL-100 or FL-120. For minor caption fixes, many counties allow a “Notice of Errata” instead of a full amendment. See our process overview for amendment timelines.

Retrieve the rejection slip—it lists every error. Correct all pages, initial next to each change, and re-submit with a fresh filing fee if your payment was refunded. Some clerks allow “drop boxes” for resubmission, but urgent items—like a deadline-critical Response—should be filed in person to get same-day stamping and avoid the California divorce paperwork checklist delay loop.

Only the amended Petition and Summons require personal service again. The court often issues a new hearing date and resets Response deadlines. Minor schedule tweaks—like adding FL-311 visitation details—may be mailed with FL-335 proof. When in doubt, re-serve by personal delivery; improper service is the #1 reason defaults get set aside.

No. Twenty-nine counties mandate e-filing, fifteen allow optional portals, and the rest still require paper. Even in e-file counties, Summons and Proofs of Service typically need wet-ink originals. Check your county’s family-law page or use our county court directory for portal links and fees.

Yes—FL-142/160 and tax returns are served on the other party but not filed with the court. FL-141 proof tells the judge you exchanged them. Only FL-150 income declaration is filed if support is at issue; you may request redaction for sensitive data under Cal. Rule of Court 5.260.

Related Guides

This material is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always confirm procedures with your county clerk or a qualified attorney.