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Guide to Uncontested Divorce in District of Columbia

December 23, 2025

Uncontested / Simple Divorce in the District of Columbia: A Plain-English Guide

Divorce in Washington, D.C. does not have to be a long, expensive court fight. If you and your spouse agree that the marriage is over and you can cooperate on the key issues, an uncontested divorce in the District of Columbia can be a much cheaper and less stressful path than a contested case.

This guide explains, in plain English, how simple divorce in the District of Columbia works for people representing themselves in the D.C. Superior Court (Family Court). You’ll learn eligibility basics, the step-by-step process, how hearings get scheduled (the #1 place DIY filers get stuck), typical timelines and costs, and where a self-help approach can fit in.

Important disclaimer: PlainDivorce.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This guide is legal information only. Court rules, forms, and fees change. Always verify current requirements with the D.C. Courts and/or a D.C. family law attorney before filing.

Table of Contents

uncontested divorce in DC

1. What Is an Uncontested or Simple Divorce in the District of Columbia?

In D.C., the court case that legally ends your marriage is typically called an Absolute Divorce. That’s why the main starting document is named the Complaint for Absolute Divorce (not a “petition”).

An uncontested divorce generally means you are not asking the judge to resolve a fight. Instead, you’re asking the judge to review your paperwork, confirm the legal requirements are met, and approve what you’ve already agreed to.

People often mean “simple divorce in Washington, D.C.” when:

  • Both spouses want the divorce;
  • You have a clear agreement on property and debt and (if applicable) support;
  • If you have children, you agree on custody/parenting time and child support;
  • The defendant cooperates by filing a Consent Answer (instead of contesting the case).

Important update about “waiting periods”: D.C. used to be known for separation-based timelines in older materials. Today, D.C. law and newer court forms reflect a faster reality. Many uncontested cases are not delayed by a mandatory separation waiting period. Your actual timeline usually depends more on service, paperwork completeness, and how quickly you get a hearing date.

Because forms and court procedures can change (and older packets can stay online for a long time), always use the most current D.C. Courts instructions and the most current version of the court forms.

2. Who Qualifies for an Uncontested Divorce in the District of Columbia?

Before you commit to a D.C. uncontested divorce approach, focus on two questions:

  • Can you legally file in D.C.? (Residency/jurisdiction)
  • Is your situation truly uncontested? (Agreement + cooperation)

2.1 Residency (jurisdiction)

Generally, at least one spouse must be a bona fide D.C. resident for the required period before filing. On current court forms, this is commonly shown by confirming that you (or your spouse) have been a D.C. resident for more than six months immediately before filing.

2.2 When a case is a good fit for uncontested / simple divorce

Your case is often a good fit for a simple, uncontested divorce in D.C. if:

  • You both agree the marriage should end;
  • You can exchange financial information honestly;
  • You have a clear deal on property/debt and (if applicable) support;
  • The defendant will cooperate by filing a Consent Answer and signing the hearing request paperwork.

A DIY approach may be a poor fit if there is domestic violence, safety concerns, hidden assets, major power imbalance, serious disagreement about children, or complex finances (business ownership, multiple properties, complicated retirement accounts, etc.). In those situations, legal advice can help prevent expensive mistakes even if the goal is still to settle.

3. Step-by-Step Overview of the Uncontested Divorce Process (D.C. Superior Court)

Most uncontested D.C. divorces move through the D.C. Superior Court (Family Court), Domestic Relations Branch in a predictable sequence. Think: prepare → file → serve → respond → request hearing → attend hearing → receive final order.

Step 1 – Confirm you qualify

  • Residency: at least one spouse meets D.C. residency requirements.
  • Uncontested path: you expect cooperation, including a Consent Answer.
  • Paperwork readiness: you can complete forms consistently and truthfully.

Step 2 – Settle children, support, and property (in writing if possible)

To keep the case “uncontested,” most couples aim to have a complete agreement on:

  • Property & debt: bank accounts, vehicles, retirement accounts, credit cards, loans, and household items.
  • Spousal support: whether it will be paid, and the amount/duration.
  • Children (if any): custody/parenting time and child support.

Many couples put these terms into a written settlement agreement and request that the court include it as part of the final order (depending on how the forms are completed and what relief is requested).

Step 3 – Prepare the court forms (use D.C. “code words”)

In most DIY cases, the plaintiff starts with the Complaint for Absolute Divorce. Depending on your situation, you may also need attachments (commonly labeled as attachments for property/debt, child custody, and child support).

You may also see administrative or cover forms used at intake. For example, D.C. Courts publishes a Cross Reference Intake Form used to identify related cases. Intake requirements can vary by situation and can change over time, so it’s important to follow the court’s current instructions or clerk guidance for filing a divorce case.

Vital records paperwork: D.C. divorce filings commonly involve a separate vital-records style form that gets routed to public health/vital records after the divorce is granted. Use the current form and instructions provided by D.C. Courts for divorce cases.

In an uncontested case, the defendant typically responds with a Consent Answer. This signals to the court that there are no contested issues requiring a trial.

Step 4 – File in the D.C. Superior Court (Family Court)

You file your paperwork with the court through the Family Court filing process. The clerk opens the case and issues a summons for service.

Step 5 – Serve the defendant (or use an approved cooperative option)

“Service” means officially delivering the papers to the other spouse in a legally recognized way. When spouses are cooperative, service can sometimes be handled using court-approved acknowledgement or acceptance paperwork instead of paying a process server. If your spouse is hard to locate or avoids service, this can become the biggest delay and you may need extra steps.

Step 6 – The “Joint Request” step (how you actually get a hearing date)

This is the step that many DIY filers miss. In D.C., a case can sit on the docket unless you file the specific hearing-request document used by the clerk’s office.

  • The defendant files a Consent Answer, confirming there are no contested issues.
  • You file any required agreements and supporting documents.
  • You file a “Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing” (sometimes casually called an uncontested praecipe). This is the document that tells the clerk’s office your case is ready to be scheduled.

Step 7 – Attend the uncontested hearing and receive the final order

At the uncontested hearing, the judge typically confirms basic facts (identity, residency/jurisdiction, the basis for divorce under current law, and that there are no disputes the court must decide). If everything is in order, the court issues a final order (sometimes called a decree or judgment). Afterward, you can request certified copies for name change, benefits, or remarriage.

Download Our District of Columbia Uncontested Divorce Self-Help Kit

4. Special Issues When You Have Children

If you have minor children, the judge must be satisfied that custody/parenting time and child support arrangements serve the children’s best interests, even if both parents agree.

4.1 Parenting arrangements

  • Who makes major decisions (education, medical care, etc.).
  • The parenting schedule (weekdays/weekends/holidays/summers).
  • How exchanges and communication will work.

4.2 Child support

D.C. uses child support guidelines. Even in an uncontested case, the paperwork commonly needs to show how the result fits the guidelines or why the proposed amount is appropriate.

If your situation involves special medical needs, safety concerns, or a possible relocation, some people choose to get legal advice before filing to avoid preventable delays and re-filings.

5. How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in the District of Columbia?

There is no guaranteed timeline, but many delays come from (1) service problems, (2) incomplete paperwork, or (3) not filing the Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing.

  • Filing → Service: days to weeks (sometimes longer if the defendant is hard to locate).
  • Service → Consent Answer: depends on cooperation and responsiveness.
  • Consent Answer + Joint Request → Hearing date: depends on the court’s calendar.

Because D.C. no longer relies on a long separation waiting period for many cases, a straightforward uncontested case can sometimes move faster than people expect. Still, the court’s scheduling, service, and paperwork completeness often determine the real-world pace.

6. What Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in the District of Columbia?

A D.C. uncontested divorce is usually far cheaper than a contested case with two attorneys. Typical cost categories include:

  • Court filing fee: the initial filing fee is commonly $80 for filing a complaint or petition (confirm current fees before filing).
  • Service of process: process server costs, or lower-cost cooperative options when allowed.
  • Notary fees: if required for certain signatures.
  • Copies/certified copies: of the final order.
  • Optional help: mediation, limited-scope legal review, or a self-help kit.

If court costs are a hardship, D.C. Courts has a fee waiver process (often called an application to proceed without prepayment of costs).

7. When a DIY Divorce Might Not Be Right for You

  • Domestic violence, threats, stalking, or coercive control.
  • Hidden assets or refusal to share financial information.
  • Complex assets (businesses, multiple properties, complicated retirement).
  • Serious disputes about children or safety.
  • Major immigration, tax, or public-benefits consequences.

In these situations, legal advice can help you understand risks and options before filing, even if the goal is still an uncontested resolution.

8. Where a Self-Help Divorce Kit Fits Into the Process

For many people, the hardest part of a D.C. uncontested divorce is not the decision to divorce, it’s the paperwork and the sequence. A self-help kit can help you stay organized so you don’t miss key steps like the Consent Answer and the Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing.

  • Clarity: plain-English explanations of what each document is and where it fits.
  • Checklists: so you don’t miss signatures, attachments, or filing sequence.
  • Consistency: helps keep dates and statements consistent across forms.
  • Prep for court: what to expect at the uncontested hearing and how to avoid common rejection or delay issues.

Download Our District of Columbia Uncontested Divorce Self-Help Kit

9. FAQ (Fast answers to common D.C. questions)

What is an uncontested or simple divorce in Washington, D.C.?

In everyday language, it usually means both spouses agree the marriage should end and there are no disputes the court must decide. The court reviews your paperwork, confirms legal requirements, and then issues the final divorce order.

Is there a waiting period for an uncontested divorce in D.C.?

Many modern D.C. cases are not delayed by a long separation waiting period. Real-world timing is usually driven by service, paperwork completeness, and how quickly a hearing is scheduled.

Do we have to go to court for an uncontested divorce in D.C.?

Many uncontested cases still involve an uncontested hearing date in the Domestic Relations Branch. The key scheduling step is filing the Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing.

Can we avoid paying a process server if we are cooperative?

Often, yes. D.C. has court-approved service and acknowledgement options in some situations, which can reduce service costs. The safest approach is to follow the court’s current “Rule 4” service instructions for domestic relations cases.

What is the filing fee for a divorce complaint in D.C.?

The initial filing fee is commonly listed as $80 for filing a complaint or petition in Family Court (confirm current fees before you file).

10. Final Thoughts and Next Steps

If you and your spouse are truly on the same page, a simple, uncontested divorce in Washington, D.C. can be manageable, but D.C. has a few “code words” that matter. The biggest is the scheduling step: filing the Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing so the clerk’s office schedules your uncontested hearing.

Your next steps might include:

  • Confirm residency and jurisdiction facts for your case.
  • Reach written agreement on property/debt and (if applicable) children/support.
  • Download the current D.C. court forms and instructions (Complaint for Absolute Divorce, Consent Answer, Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing).
  • Decide whether a DIY kit would help you stay organized.
  • Get legal advice if anything feels unsafe, unfair, or complex.

Again, this guide is information only, not legal advice. But with careful preparation and the right paperwork sequence, many couples complete an uncontested D.C. divorce without turning it into a costly court battle.

About Harry D

Expert contributor at PlainDivorce, helping Canadians and American navigate simple uncontested divorces with clarity and confidence.