Divorce Papers in New Jersey

Prepare Before Filing NJ Divorce Papers

Before you start filling out divorce forms in New Jersey, gather the necessary information and understand the filing process to avoid delays. This checklist will help you get organized.

• Meet New Jersey's residency requirement: you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six consecutive months before filing.
• Gather key documents: marriage certificate, financial records (income, expenses, assets, debts), and any existing agreements (prenuptial, separation).
• Determine the correct county: file in the county where either you or your spouse resides. If you don't know, call the Family Division in the Superior Court for guidance.
• Check for required forms: visit njcourts.gov to download the current divorce packet (for example, Complaint for Divorce, Case Information Statement, Affidavit of Verification).
• Plan for filing fees: check the current fee schedule on the court's website; if you cannot afford it, apply for a fee waiver (Application for Waiver of Filing Fee) with proof of income.
• Obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate from the vital records office in the state where you married—not just a photocopy—as the court requires it.