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Divorce in New Jersey: forms, cost, and how to file

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

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New Jersey divorce at a glance

Residency requirement
12 months
No-fault ground
Irreconcilable differences for 6+ months (no separation needed) — the standard no-fault ground; 18-month separation is the alternate no-fault ground. Residency: 12 months in NJ by either spouse (except adultery ground).
Filing fee
$300 Complaint for Divorce; +$25 Parents' Education Program fee when minor children ($325). Fee waiver: certification/application to waive fees (indigency).
Child support
NJ Child Support Guidelines, Court Rule 5:6A Appendix IX: Appendix IX-C Sole-Parenting Worksheet / IX-D Shared-Parenting Worksheet — income shares model.
E-filing (self-represented)
JEDS (Judiciary Electronic Document Submission) — statewide, available 24/7 to self-represented litigants for divorce filings (attorneys use eCourts). Optional; paper filing with county Family…
County differences
Low-moderate. Statewide kits/forms; filing happens at the county Family Division and some vicinages have local scheduling/cover practices, but pleadings are uniform.
Official statewide forms
YES. Official statewide self-help divorce kits (CN-numbered packets) on njcourts.gov covering Complaint for Divorce by ground (irreconcilable differences, separation, desertion, extreme cruelty), Summons, Certification…

Official source: New Jersey court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.

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Answer a few simple questions and LawCat prepares your complete New Jersey uncontested-divorce packet, with step-by-step filing instructions. No fee for your documents.

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Forms in your New Jersey divorce packet

LawCat prepares each of these New Jersey forms for you, filled in from your answers:

Case Information Statement (CIS)Financial disclosure

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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New Jersey divorce FAQ

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your New Jersey 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 New Jersey to file for divorce?

12 months

How much does it cost to file for divorce in New Jersey?

$300 Complaint for Divorce; +$25 Parents' Education Program fee when minor children ($325). Fee waiver: certification/application to waive fees (indigency). 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 New Jersey’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.