California Divorce and Dissolution Resources
FamilyCourtHelp is an independent educational platform. It is not a court, law firm, government agency, or government partner. We organize and link to publicly available resources published by courts and government agencies. Official requirements may change. Always confirm current requirements with the applicable court or clerk.
A California divorce is filed in the Superior Court, usually in the Family Law Division, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
California's core family statutes live in the California Family Code. In California, online filing is only partly open to a parent without a lawyer, so check what applies to your court before you count on it. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official California divorce resources
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California family law forms (official index) (California judicial branch): The official statewide collection of California family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=FL
California court self-help resources (California courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own California family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm
California official filing information (California judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in California and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/court-basics/file
California financial affidavit and disclosure forms (courts.ca.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most California family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm?filter=FL
California mediation and dispute resolution (California judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a California family case without a trial. https://www.courts.ca.gov/mediationresources.htm
Verified official California divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Petition, Marriage / Domestic Partnership (FL-100), form FL-100 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl100.pdf
Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105), form FL-105 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl105.pdf
Summons (Family Law) (FL-110), form FL-110 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl110.pdf
Proof of Service of Summons (FL-115), form FL-115 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl115.pdf
Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt (FL-117), form FL-117 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl117.pdf
Response, Marriage / Domestic Partnership (FL-120), form FL-120 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl120.pdf
Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers (FL-130), form FL-130 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl130.pdf
Declaration Regarding Service of Disclosure (FL-141), form FL-141 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl141.pdf
Request to Enter Default (FL-165), form FL-165 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl165.pdf
Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution (FL-170), form FL-170 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl170.pdf
Judgment (FL-180), form FL-180 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl180.pdf
Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190), form FL-190 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/fl190.pdf
Official link data for California was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in California?
In the Superior Court, usually in the Family Law Division that serves the county where you live. In California, online filing is only partly open to a parent without a lawyer, so check what applies to your court before you count on it.
How much does it cost to file a family case in California?
Dissolution filing fee: ~$435-$450. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a California divorce?
No. California publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.