North Dakota divorce at a glance
Official source: North Dakota court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in North Dakota: step by step
North Dakota is no-fault with no waiting period, and agreed (stipulated) divorces are usually granted on the papers. Here is the path.
- Confirm you can file in North Dakota
The plaintiff must have lived in North Dakota for 6 months. North Dakota is no-fault (irreconcilable differences), with no waiting period.Source: NDCC 14-05-03 - Generate your forms
Prepare the Summons and Complaint (or a Stipulation/Marital Settlement Agreement for an agreed case).Source: ND self-help packets - File with the District Court
File with the District Court and pay about $160, or use the fee-waiver forms.Source: ND fee-waiver forms - Serve your spouse (or stipulate)
Serve your spouse, or file a signed Stipulation so the case can proceed by agreement.Source: N.D.R.Civ.P. 4 - Set child support (if children)
If you have children, North Dakota uses a percentage of the paying parent’s net income; use the official ND child-support calculator.Source: N.D.A.C. 75-02-04.1 - Get your judgment on the papers
Stipulated divorces are usually granted without a hearing; the court enters the Judgment of Divorce.Source: Judgment of Divorce
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in North Dakota?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In North Dakota you have the right to file your own divorce, and the court publishes the official forms for you to use. The large majority of uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree the marriage is over and can agree on the terms, are handled pro se every day.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat prepares your North Dakota pro-se divorce documents for free and walks you through every filing step — so doing it yourself never means doing it alone.
How child support is calculated in North Dakota
A percentage of the paying parent’s net income (roughly 14–27% for one to five children), from the official ND guidelines. (N.D.A.C. 75-02-04.1)
Because North Dakota uses an income-shares approach, the exact number comes from an official table based on both parents’ combined income. Use your court’s official child-support calculator for a precise figure.
How long does a North Dakota divorce take?
No post-filing waiting period; stipulated (agreed) divorces are usually granted on the papers without a hearing. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons North Dakota divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Low. Statewide self-help packets and a unified district court; no county-specific forms.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
North Dakota document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to North Dakota. In the meantime, the official North Dakota court forms are linked below.
Official North Dakota forms → See how it worksWhy 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.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
North Dakota divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your North Dakota 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 North Dakota to file for divorce?
Plaintiff 6 months in ND
How much does it cost to file for divorce in North Dakota?
$160 (raised from $80 effective July 1, 2025, NDCC 27-05.2-03). Fee waiver forms at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver. 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.