Today’s article covers the forms you and your spouse must submit to the court if you have a full and final agreement and want to obtain an uncontested divorce in Connecticut. Most of these forms are available on the Connecticut Judicial Branch website.
The first decision you’ll make is who will be the plaintiff and who will be the defendant. In an uncontested divorce, it generally doesn’t matter which spouse is which—both roles function the same for practical purposes. However, the plaintiff will complete more of the initial paperwork.
This form lists basic information, such as the parties’ names and addresses, and officially starts the case.
The plaintiff also completes the complaint, which includes identifying information and informs the court of the grounds for divorce.
These orders apply immediately once the complaint is signed and remain in effect while the divorce is pending. In an uncontested matter, your case will likely be finalized quickly, but this form is still required.
The defendant uses this form to provide the court with their contact information and to formally participate in the case.
In a typical (contested) divorce, the plaintiff must have a state marshal serve the defendant. But if both spouses agree to proceed uncontested, the defendant can sign and notarize this form to waive formal service.
You only need this form if either spouse or the children have ever received state or municipal assistance. If no one has, you don’t need to submit it.
Both spouses must complete and notarize a financial affidavit listing income, expenses, assets, and debts. Accuracy matters, so spend time ensuring this form is complete and correct.
This form can be tricky to complete because child support is calculated using a detailed formula. An attorney or a Family Relations officer at the courthouse can usually run the calculation for you using official software.
This notarized form advises the paying parent that child support can be enforced by wage garnishment if payments are not made.
This notarized form is required if you have children under age 23. It lists where the children have lived, confirms birthdates, and discloses any prior custody orders from Connecticut or another state.
You may use the Judicial Branch’s fill-in agreement or prepare your own custom agreement. Either way, this is one of the most important documents in your case, so many people consult an attorney or Family Relations worker for help drafting or reviewing it.
If you want your divorce approved without having to appear before a judge, you must submit three additional forms:
This form asks the court to finalize your divorce based solely on the paperwork.
13 & 14. Affidavits in Support of Request for Entry of Judgment — Form JD-FM-281
Both spouses must complete their own notarized affidavit. These forms confirm that:
Once you have all your forms, bring them to the clerk’s office at the courthouse with jurisdiction over your case. The clerk will:
There is a $360 filing fee, which you may request to have waived by completing a fee-waiver application provided by the clerk.
If your forms are complete and your agreement is clear and fair, a judge will typically approve your divorce on the papers within a few days.
However, a judge may schedule an uncontested divorce hearing if:
If that happens, both spouses will appear in court for a brief hearing, answer the judge’s questions, and—assuming everything is in order—leave with a finalized divorce.
Those are the essential forms you need for an uncontested divorce in Connecticut. If you have any questions or would like assistance with preparing the forms or navigating the process, our office is here to help. And if you’re seeking representation in a Connecticut divorce or family law matter, we invite you to contact us.
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