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Divorce in District of Columbia: forms, cost, and how to file

A plain-English overview of getting an uncontested divorce in District of Columbia — the residency rule, the no-fault ground, the filing fee, and the official forms — from LawCat, a free service built by attorneys.

Official District of Columbia court forms →

District of Columbia divorce at a glance

Residency requirement
6 months by either spouse.
No-fault ground
Since Jan 26, 2024 (D.C. Law 25-115 amending D.C. Code 16-904): NO separation period — either spouse simply asserts the parties no longer wish to remain married. No post-filing statutory waiting period; uncontested mutual-consent cases get a magistrate…
Filing fee
$80 Complaint for Absolute Divorce. Fee waiver: Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs (in forma pauperis).
Child support
Income shares model (D.C. Code 16-916.01, $240,000/yr combined income cap). Official OAG online Child Support Guideline Calculator at csgc.oag.dc.gov produces the worksheet.
E-filing (self-represented)
eFileDC (Tyler) — mandatory for attorneys; OPTIONAL for self-represented parties in the Family Division (may instead mail or file at the Central Intake Center). PDF-only submissions.
County differences
None — single unified jurisdiction, one clerk, one form set.
Official statewide forms
Yes (single jurisdiction). DC Superior Court Family Court forms: Complaint for Absolute Divorce (dccourts.gov PDF), Consent Answer (filed simultaneously for uncontested mutual-consent track), plus vital statistics and…

Official source: District of Columbia court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.

Coming soon

District of Columbia document generation is on the way

LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to District of Columbia. In the meantime, the official District of Columbia court forms are linked below.

Official District of Columbia forms → See how it works

Why LawCat is free

Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.

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District of Columbia divorce FAQ

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in District of Columbia?

No. District of Columbia allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your District of Columbia divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.

How long do I have to live in District of Columbia to file for divorce?

6 months by either spouse.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in District of Columbia?

$80 Complaint for Absolute Divorce. Fee waiver: Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs (in forma pauperis). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.

This page is general information about District of Columbia’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.