North Dakota Divorce and Dissolution Resources
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A North Dakota divorce is filed in the District Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
North Dakota's core family statutes live in the North Dakota Century Code Title 14 - Domestic Relations. In North Dakota, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official North Dakota divorce resources
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North Dakota family law forms (official index) (North Dakota judicial branch): The official statewide collection of North Dakota family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/forms
North Dakota court self-help resources (North Dakota courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own North Dakota family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help
North Dakota Odyssey File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): North Dakota's statewide Odyssey File & Serve portal is live and you can register yourself. E-filing is required for lawyers but optional for people without a lawyer, so you may also file on paper in person or by mail. https://northdakota.tylertech.cloud/
North Dakota official filing information (North Dakota judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in North Dakota and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.ndcourts.gov/
North Dakota financial affidavit and disclosure forms (ndcourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most North Dakota family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/forms
North Dakota mediation and dispute resolution (North Dakota judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a North Dakota family case without a trial. https://www.ndcourts.gov/mediation
Verified official North Dakota 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 for Divorce (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Divorce/Simple%20Divorce%20with%20Children/Form-2-Complaint.pdf
Divorce Without Children: Instructions and Forms Packet (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Divorce/Simple%20Divorce/Stip%20DNC%20All%20Instructions%20for%20Packet%20%20Forms.pdf
Custody & Visitation Settlement Agreement (Settlement Agreements), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Establishing%20Custody%20and%20Visitation/Form-3-Settlement-Agreement.pdf
Official link data for North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
In the District Court that serves the county where you live. In North Dakota, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in North Dakota?
Divorce filing fee: ~$80. 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 North Dakota divorce?
No. North Dakota 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.