Washington divorce at a glance
Official source: Washington court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Washington: step by step
Washington has no residency length requirement and a 90-day waiting period. Here is the path from petition to a Decree of Dissolution.
- Confirm you can file in Washington
You only need to be a Washington resident when you file — there is no length-of-residency requirement. Washington is no-fault ("irretrievably broken"), with no separation required.Source: RCW 26.09 - Generate the mandatory pattern forms
Use the statewide mandatory pattern forms: the Summons (FL Divorce 200), the Petition (FL Divorce 201), and the final-orders set.Source: Washington mandatory pattern forms (RCW 26.09) - File with the Superior Court
File with the Superior Court and pay about $314–$364, or file a motion to waive the fee (available in every county).Source: In forma pauperis motion - Serve your spouse
Serve your spouse, or have them sign a Joinder or acknowledgment in an agreed case.Source: RCW 4.28 - Complete the child-support worksheets (if children)
If you have children, complete the Washington State Child Support Schedule worksheets.Source: RCW 26.19 - Wait 90 days and finalize
Washington requires a 90-day wait from filing and service. After that, submit your final orders; the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.Source: RCW 26.09.030 (90-day wait)
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Washington?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington
Income-shares model using the Washington State Child Support Schedule and mandatory worksheets. (RCW 26.19)
Because Washington 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 Washington divorce take?
A 90-day waiting period from the date you file and serve before the court can finalize the divorce. 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 Washington 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. Moderate–low. The pattern forms are identical statewide, but counties add local procedure (King County case schedules, Pierce local rules).
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.
Washington document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Washington. In the meantime, the official Washington court forms are linked below.
Official Washington 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 →
Washington divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Washington?
No. Washington allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Washington 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 Washington to file for divorce?
No durational requirement (resident at filing).
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Washington?
$314-$364 by county (King/Pierce $314). Fee waiver by motion (in forma pauperis) available in all counties. 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.