When people learn that they can get their divorce papers online, they tend to have many questions about the process and how it all works.
Below are the most common questions I have received since starting this website. If you have a question that isn't answered here, feel free to send it to me and I will answer your question on this page.
Let's begin!
How does online divorce work?
Generally, divorce services will simplify the process of creating your divorce paperwork by breaking down the process into three steps. These steps are typically:
- Confirm your divorce qualifies
- Answer a questionnaire about your divorce (non legal questions). This is the most time consuming step as you will need to provide all relevant information
- Download, print and sign the divorce paperwork
Once you've printed and signed your divorce documents, you will then need to file the papers with your state court. Each divorce service will include specific filing instructions for the state you live in.
Is this available where I live?
The divorce services reviewed on this website are available in the United States. There are some caveats. The following location specific limitations come to mind:
- 3StepDivorce is available in all 50 states. It is not available in Washington, D.C.
- CompleteCase is available in all 50 states (including Washington, D.C.) as well as Canada
Does it matter where we got married?
No. It does not matter where you got married when filing for divorce. The only thing that matters is where you reside now. When you file divorce papers, you will file them in the state in which you live. Some states may have different specific residency requirements.
How much does it cost?
Prices will vary depending on the divorce website you choose to generate your paperwork. As a quick comparison, here are the prices for the best online divorce services:
- 3StepDivorce charges a one time fee of $299 for their fast online divorce service
- CompleteCase charges a flat-rate fee of $299 for their uncontested divorce paperwork
- Rocket Lawyer charges $39.99 per legal form (or $40 a month for unlimited access to all legal forms on their website)
Prices for these services have been relatively stable for the past couple of years. If any of these websites charge their pricing, I will be sure to update it here.
Can I get divorce papers online if we have children?
Yes, absolutely. If you have children, this does not mean you cannot get your divorce forms online. Each of the divorce services reviewed on this website will create all the necessary documents if you have children from your current marriage.
How long will it take for me to get my divorce paperwork?
Online divorce services offer a self-paced and self-guided process for creating your divorce papers. This means that you will answer the questions (required to generate your papers) at your own convenience. Upon answering all the required questions, you can then instantly generate your divorce papers.
Given the process is self-paced, you could have your paperwork ready very quickly (10-15 minutes) or you could take your time and complete the questions over a period of time (such as a couple of days or a week).
Do I need any special software? Will it work on my computer?
You do not need any special software to the divorce services reviewed on this website. All of the questions you need to answer will be done securely through your web browser on the divorce service's website.
When it comes time to download your divorce forms to print out, you will need to make sure you have a copy of Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer. Adobe Acrobat is available for Windows and Macs as well as mobile devices. You can download it by clicking here.
Do I receive physical hard-copies of my divorce paperwork?
This will vary depending on the divorce service. By default, you will receive your papers electronically as Adobe PDF documents (as explained above). However, some services do offer postal mail delivery options. For a quick reference, here are the companies that send hard copies via postal mail:
- 3StepDivorce will send copies via USPS Priority Mail for free
- CompleteCase will send you copies via USPS 2-Day business mail for a small fee
Do I need my spouse with me to fill in the information needed to get my divorce papers online?
No, you do not. Online divorce sites are traditionally designed such that one spouse fills in the information, prints the documents and then hands everything over to the other spouse to review and sign (to finalize and make legal).
That said, it is not uncommon for both spouses to fill out the information together. In an uncontested divorce where both parties agree on everything, it may be helpful for both spouses to participate in gathering/supplying the information requested by the divorce website. You can cover more ground quickly if you work in tandem.
Does my spouse need to sign the documents?
Yes, after you have completed the documents, your spouse will ultimately need to sign the documents to make them legal. If your spouse does not sign the documents, you cannot file the papers with your state court.
Will my divorce documents be reviewed by a lawyer?
This will depend on the divorce site you use. Generally speaking, most divorce sites do not offer legal advice, nor do they offer access to lawyers to answer legal oriented questions.
However, as covered in my Wevorce review and Rocket Lawyer review, both services offer integrated support for you to communicate directly with licensed lawyers who are qualified to answer your specific legal questions.
I am in the military. Can I use a divorce site?
Yes, if you are in the military, you can use an online divorce service to end your marriage. My advice would be to use CompleteCase as they specialize in military divorce paperwork. The paperwork required to file a military divorce is slightly more complicated, so you’d be well advised to use a company that is experienced with creating these documents.
How can I pay for my online divorce forms?
The easiest way to pay for your divorce forms is to use a credit card. All major credit cards are accepted by all of the divorce services I have reviewed on this website. This includes Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
A couple divorce services offer alternative methods of payments:
- 3StepDivorce is the only divorce service I reviewed that allows you to pay using your PayPal account
- CompleteCase allows you to send a check via postal mail if you unable to pay online with a credit or debit card
Are court filing fees included with my purchase?
No, this is not included by any of the services found on this website. You are responsible for paying all expenses related to filing your divorce paperwork with the state court. Generally, it will cost $125-$200 to file with your local court.
How do I contact customer support?
Each of the services listed on this website offer toll free telephone numbers for customer service. E-mail based support is also offered. It's important to remember that toll free telephone support is not available 24/7.