California Filing Guides · Family Law

How to File for Divorce in California

The opening filing and service steps for an ordinary divorce petition. Starting a case is the beginning of the process, and the forms depend on your circumstances.

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As of October 2026 · Official court sources below.

Not legal advice. This guide explains forms and procedures; it does not tell you what to put in your case or calculate your legal deadline.

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Check the applicable process and residency rules

California Courts’ ordinary divorce instructions generally require one spouse to have lived in California for six months and the county for three months. The guide describes different rules for some domestic partners and same-sex spouses. Joint petitions and summary dissolution have their own instructions; do not assume the ordinary petition packet fits every situation.

Prepare the opening forms

The court’s ordinary divorce guide lists FL-100, the petition, and FL-110, the family law summons. For spouses with children under 18 together, it also identifies FL-105. The petition describes requested issues; the summons includes important restraining orders. Extra forms may be needed for a fee-waiver request or temporary orders. Check the court’s local forms.

File, then arrange service

The official overview separates filing the forms from serving the other spouse or partner. An allowed server delivers the filed papers; the petitioner does not serve them personally. Online filing is available only where the court permits. Legal Hub Group’s live directory shows which family-law courts and new-case options are currently supported.

The opening petition does not finish the case

A filed FL-100 starts the case and identifies the requested issues. Later court procedures and a judgment are needed to finish it. Property, support, custody, disclosures and agreements can have lasting consequences. A lawyer, family law facilitator or court self-help center can explain the legal options; this guide and Lexary do not select them.

From papers to filing

Check, review and track the court’s answer

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Questions

Common questions

Does filing FL-100 make me divorced?

No. It starts the case. The court’s judgment and the remaining required procedures are separate.

Do I use the civil summons SUM-100?

The ordinary divorce instructions identify FL-110, the family law summons.

Can I choose my own support or property answers from this guide?

This guide only explains what the forms and process cover. It does not tell you what to request or agree to in your case.

Can I e-file a divorce in every California county?

No universal availability is promised here. Check the platform’s current family-law court list and whether new cases are supported before beginning.

Related forms

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Guides & comparisons

Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.

Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.