New Jersey is a no-fault divorce state—you can file based on irreconcilable differences that have lasted at least six months, with no separation period required. The state's Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system lets you e-file 24/7 from any device, and qualifying uncontested cases can finalize "on the papers" without a court appearance under Directive #01-25.
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Residency Requirements
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10, at least one spouse must meet the following:
- State residency: Bona fide New Jersey resident for at least 12 months before filing
- Exception: The one-year requirement does not apply when adultery is the sole ground
- Venue: File in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part for the county where you lived when the cause of action arose
No-Fault Grounds
The most common ground is irreconcilable differences under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2(i). You must certify that the differences have existed for at least six months and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. No separation is required—you can file while still living together.
Alternatively, you may file on 18-month separation (living in separate households with no prospect of reconciliation) under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2(d).
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DIY Divorce Pathways
Uncontested with Marital Settlement Agreement
The fastest DIY option when both spouses agree on all terms. You draft a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) covering property, support, and custody, then file the complaint with the MSA attached. If your case qualifies under Directive #01-25, you can finalize "on the papers" by submitting Certification CN 12620—no courtroom appearance needed.
Default Judgment
If your spouse does not file an answer within 35 days of service, you may request entry of default. You must file a non-military service certification under Rule 5:7-9 before the court grants a default judgment.
Contested Divorce
When spouses disagree on one or more issues, the case moves through discovery, mandatory mediation for custody disputes, and the Early Settlement Panel (ESP) for financial issues. Many contested cases settle before trial through these court-mandated programs.
Required New Jersey Forms
Key forms for New Jersey divorce include:
- Complaint for Divorce: Initiates the case; must include a Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion
- CN 10486 (CLIS): Confidential Litigant Information Sheet—required in all dissolution filings
- CN 10482 (CIS): Case Information Statement—required when financial issues exist (support, alimony, equitable distribution)
- CN 12620: Certification for Divorce on the Papers under Directive #01-25
- Certification of Insurance Coverage: Lists all insurance policies; required with the first pleading (Rule 5:4-2(f))
Access forms through the New Jersey Courts self-help portal.
JEDS E-Filing System
New Jersey's Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system makes DIY divorce more accessible:
- JEDS Portal – Register, upload documents, and pay fees online
- Available 24/7; documents filed by 11:59 PM receive that day's filing date
- Maximum file size: 35 MB per document (PDF format)
- Self-represented litigants and attorneys can both use JEDS
Filing Fees
New Jersey filing fees are set under Rule 1:43:
- Complaint: $300 (Family Part dissolution)
- Answer/counterclaim: $175 (first responsive pleading)
- Motion fee: $50 per motion
- Parent education: $25 per parent (when custody or parenting time is at issue)
If you cannot afford fees, contact your county's Family Division about fee waiver options.
Service of Process
After filing, you must serve the complaint and summons on your spouse within 60 days. Service can be done by the county Sheriff or a private process server. Your spouse then has 35 days to file an answer (Rule 4:6-1).
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Our planning tool itemizes every New Jersey DIY divorce expense—$300 filing fee, $175 answer fee, $50 motion fees, service of process, and optional mediation—so you can budget before you file. Get your itemized cost breakdown free →
Expected Timeline
New Jersey divorce timelines depend on case type:
- Uncontested (on the papers): 6–10 weeks
- Uncontested with hearing: 2–4 months
- Contested: 12–18+ months depending on discovery, ESP, and trial
New Jersey has no mandatory waiting period beyond the six-month irreconcilable differences requirement, so uncontested cases move as fast as the court calendar allows.
Official New Jersey Resources
- New Jersey Courts – Divorce Self-Help
- JEDS E-Filing Portal
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34 – Divorce Statutes
- Post-Judgment Modifications
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general information about New Jersey divorce procedures and is not legal advice. Filing requirements, fees, and timelines may vary by county. Always verify current procedures with your county's Family Division clerk before filing.
