Start free
Divorce › Vermont

Divorce in Vermont: forms, cost, and how to file

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

Official Vermont court forms →

Vermont divorce at a glance

Residency requirement
6 months to file; 1 year before final hearing/decree.
No-fault ground
Living separate and apart for 6 consecutive months with resumption of marital relations not reasonably probable (can be under same roof). 3-month nisi period after decree before final (waivable/shortenable by agreement). Residency: 6 months to file; 1 year…
Filing fee
$90 for stipulated (fully agreed) divorce with at least one VT-resident spouse; $180 stipulated non-resident; $295 without complete stipulation. Fee waiver application available (Application to…
Child support
Income shares model (15 V.S.A. 654 guidelines). Official Vermont child support guideline calculator (VT Office of Child Support / DCF); calculation worksheet output filed with Form 813-series child support order…
E-filing (self-represented)
Odyssey File & Serve statewide in all Superior Courts; OPTIONAL for self-represented litigants (paper and email filing procedures also exist).
County differences
Low — unified statewide Family Division and one form set; county units differ only in scheduling practice.
Official statewide forms
Yes. Statewide 400-series family division forms (e.g., 400-00836 Complaint for Divorce, stipulation forms, Final Decree; Notice of Appearance of Self-Represented Party 400-00831). Uncontested/stipulated divorce path…

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

Coming soon

Vermont document generation is on the way

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

Official Vermont 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.

Compare divorce filing fees in every state →

Vermont divorce FAQ

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Vermont?

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

6 months to file; 1 year before final hearing/decree.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Vermont?

$90 for stipulated (fully agreed) divorce with at least one VT-resident spouse; $180 stipulated non-resident; $295 without complete stipulation. Fee waiver application available (Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs). 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 Vermont’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.