Home New Jersey Uncontested Divorce Kit
2026 edition • Matched to current NJ Superior Court, Family Part formsNew Jersey Uncontested Divorce Kit
File your Complaint on Irreconcilable Differences, then aim for a Judgment without a court appearance — with every optional form flagged so you know what applies to your case.
- Full initial filing packet — Complaint, CLIS & certifications
- CIS & Marital Settlement Agreement templates, plus the no-hearing (CN 12620) packet
- Free eligibility check before you pay anything
- Instant PDF download — $129 one-time, no subscription
Takes 2 minutes to check · no commitment
“The step-by-step guide meant I never had to guess what came next.”
Freya W. · Newark, New Jersey
Is This Kit Right for You?
New Jersey has a 1-year residency rule for most grounds. This kit is built for fully agreed, no-dispute cases — check below to see if that is you.
Use this kit if:
- One of you has been a bona fide NJ resident for at least 1 year before filing (adultery is the statutory exception).
- You are filing on Irreconcilable Differences — a 6-month breakdown with no reasonable chance of reconciling — or you've lived apart 18 months.
- You and your spouse agree on the divorce and, if there's anything to divide, have worked out the terms together.
- Your spouse is willing to respond — sign an acceptance of service, file a General Appearance, or otherwise participate so the case can move without a contested fight.
Talk to a lawyer if:
- Neither of you has lived in NJ for a year, and your ground for divorce isn't adultery.
- You disagree on custody, parenting time, support, alimony, or how to divide property or debts.
- Your spouse can't be located, or is avoiding service — this needs a formal or alternate-service strategy.
- There is domestic violence, a restraining order, or you don't feel safe negotiating directly with your spouse.
If any of these apply, New Jersey Courts self-help resources and Legal Services of New Jersey can point you toward help — this kit is not built for contested cases.
"Aren't the NJ Courts forms free?"
Yes — and you should use the current official versions. What the court doesn't hand you is a map of which forms your situation actually needs. Here's what the $129 adds.
Every New Jersey filing starts with a Complaint, a Confidential Litigant Information Sheet, and a few other required certifications. Beyond that, what you file next — a Case Information Statement (CIS), a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA), and the paperwork for a Judgment without a hearing — depends on your situation. Our kit walks you through all of it and tells you what applies to you.
Core filing packet • CIS & MSA templates • No-hearing request packet • 30-day refund
A checklist that tells you what you actually need
New Jersey's filing requirements branch depending on whether custody, support, alimony, or property division are part of your case. We tell you which forms are always required and which only apply to you — instead of leaving you to guess from a generic instruction sheet.
A CIS you can actually finish
The 10-page Case Information Statement trips up most self-represented filers. Our kit breaks it down line by line with a filled-in sample, for the cases where it's required.
The no-hearing packet, done right
Requesting a Judgment without a court appearance means filing the Certification (CN 12620) correctly — on both your and your spouse's side — plus a proposed Judgment with the exact language the court expects to see.
A 30-day refund
Free forms come with no support and no way back if you've wasted a weekend on the wrong packet. If you buy the kit and your case doesn't fit the fully agreed track, email us within 30 days for a full refund.
What This Actually Costs You
New Jersey's filing fees are set statewide, but which optional costs apply — a process server, a defendant's response fee, a parenting workshop — depends on your case. Here's every dollar, including the ones that aren't ours.
Far less than an attorney
New Jersey attorneys commonly advertise four-figure flat fees for uncontested divorces — you keep the difference between that and our one-time kit price, shown alongside.
Skip the process server — if your spouse cooperates
If your spouse is willing to accept the papers directly, New Jersey's court rules let them sign an acceptance of service instead of being formally served. If they won't, you'll serve through the County Sheriff or a private process server, both of which charge a fee.
Your Total Out-of-Pocket
Add $25 if you're requesting custody or parenting time (parenting-workshop fee), $175 if your spouse needs to file a response, and a sheriff or process-server fee if they won't accept service voluntarily. Filing fees are set statewide and can change; verify the current amount with your county Superior Court clerk. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the cost. Attorney figure reflects commonly advertised flat-fee ranges and is an estimate, not a quote.
What's Inside the Kit
Matched to New Jersey's current Family Part filing requirements, with the conditional forms clearly marked.
Step-by-Step Roadmap
Plain-English steps from filing your Complaint to requesting a Judgment without a hearing — including what changes if your case has custody, support, alimony, or property to divide.
Always-Required Filing Documents
Every initial NJ divorce filing needs these, regardless of your situation:
Case Information Statement Guide
Line-by-line instructions and a filled-in sample for the CIS (CN 10482) — required when custody, support, alimony, or property division are part of your case, not for every filing.
Marital Settlement Agreement Template
A template for putting your agreed terms in writing, plus plain-English notes on what the court does and doesn't do with a signed MSA when you request a Judgment on the papers.
No-Hearing Judgment Packet
The Certification in Support of Judgment of Divorce Without a Court Appearance (CN 12620) — for both you and your spouse — proof-of-service paperwork, and a proposed Judgment with the language the court requires.
Service & Response Guide
How to serve your spouse (sheriff, private process server, or their signed acceptance), the 35-day response window, and the Answer / General Appearance options if they choose to respond formally.
What this kit does not include
- A guarantee that a judge waives your hearing, or that a clerk accepts your paperwork as filed — the court controls scheduling and can require additional steps
- Court filing fees, process-server fees, or parenting-workshop fees, which are paid separately
- Legal advice about your specific situation, or review of your completed documents
PlainDivorce is a private publisher, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the New Jersey Judiciary. Always confirm current forms, fees, and local requirements with your Superior Court clerk before filing.
Built for filing in NJ Superior Court, Family Part, statewide — including Bergen, Middlesex, Essex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties.
Forms originate from official New Jersey Courts sources. PlainDivorce is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the New Jersey Judiciary.
How It Works
A roadmap from filing to a signed Judgment — not a promised timeline, since court workload and case specifics vary.
File Complaint
Download the kit. File your Complaint, CLIS, Summons, and other required certifications (plus a CIS if applicable) with the Superior Court Clerk, and pay the filing fee (confirm the current amount, plus the conditional parenting-workshop fee, with the Clerk).
Serve & Respond
Serve your spouse — by their voluntary acceptance, the Sheriff, or a private process server — within 60 days. They have 35 days to respond with an Answer, Counterclaim, or General Appearance.
Put Terms in Writing
Sign a Marital Settlement Agreement if you have terms to record, and complete a CIS if custody, support, alimony, or property division is part of your case.
Request Judgment
File your CN 12620 Certification, proof of service, and proposed Judgment. Your spouse files their own CN 12620 too. The judge decides whether to sign on the papers or set a hearing.
Simple Pricing vs. Lawyer Fees
| Feature | PlainDivorce Kit | Typical Lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost | $129 | $3,500+ |
| Process Control | You set the pace (DIY) | Lawyer's schedule |
| Includes Forms? | Yes, matched to your situation | Yes |
Secure One-Time Payment · No Subscriptions
If the Fully Agreed Track Doesn't Fit, You Get Your Money Back
If you buy the kit and then discover your case involves a dispute this product isn't built for, email us within 30 days and we will refund you in full. We would rather lose the sale than have you file something that doesn't fit.
Refunds are handled by our support team. See our Terms of Use for full details.
What Our Clients Say
Real stories from people who used PlainDivorce to complete their own filing.
4.7 out of 5 based on 300+ customer reviews
Customer reviews are collected from purchasers and support conversations. Names may be shortened for privacy, and individual results vary by court, case facts, and filing requirements.
“Saved me a lot of stress. Knowing which forms actually applied to my situation made all the difference.”
Joseph I.
Lakewood
“The guided steps were easy to follow. I didn't need to hire a lawyer at all.”
Sophie D.
Paterson
“Why pay more? This kit does it all for a fair price.”
Emily W.
Elizabeth
“The Case Information Statement finally made sense. Filing felt manageable instead of overwhelming.”
Sophia Z.
Jersey City
“The step-by-step guide meant I never had to guess what came next.”
Freya W.
Newark
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Case Information Statement (CIS), and do I need one?
The CIS (CN 10482) is a detailed financial disclosure form. New Jersey Courts require it when custody, support, alimony, or property division are part of your case — it is not an automatic filing for every uncontested divorce. If any of those apply to you, our kit walks you through completing it correctly.
What is a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA), and does the court review it?
An MSA is a contract between you and your spouse settling issues like property, debt, alimony, or parenting arrangements. If you request a Judgment without a court appearance, the court's own certification form states plainly that the judge does not review or evaluate the terms of a signed agreement — the judge only confirms both of you understand it and agree it is fair. The agreement can still be made part of your final Judgment and enforced by the court.
Do I have to go to court?
Not necessarily. New Jersey allows both default divorces (when your spouse doesn't respond) and uncontested divorces (when you both agree and each file a Certification in Support of Judgment of Divorce Without a Court Appearance, CN 12620) to be decided without a personal appearance. The judge always retains the discretion to require one if something needs clarifying.
How long do I have to be separated?
If you file on "Irreconcilable Differences" (the most common ground), there is no separation requirement — you need a 6-month breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable prospect of reconciling, which is different from living apart. If you file on the "Separation" ground instead, you must have lived in separate habitations for at least 18 consecutive months.
What if my spouse won't sign anything?
If your spouse won't voluntarily accept service, you can still serve them through the County Sheriff or a private process server — both come with a fee, but neither requires their cooperation. If they still don't respond within 35 days, you may be able to proceed on the default track instead of the uncontested track. If you can't locate them at all, that's a situation to discuss with an attorney about alternate service.
What are the filing fees?
The plaintiff's complaint filing fee is $300, plus an additional $25 parenting-workshop fee if either of you requests custody or parenting time. A defendant who files an Answer, Counterclaim, or General Appearance pays a $175 response fee (plus the same conditional $25). Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
Aren't these forms available free from the court?
Yes, and we say so plainly above. What the court doesn't give you is a clear map of which of its many forms apply to your specific situation, a completed sample of the Case Information Statement, or a refund if it turns out your case has a dispute this kit isn't built for. That is what the $129 buys. If you're comfortable working it out from the court's website yourself, please do that instead.
What format is the kit, and how fast do I get it?
Downloadable PDFs, delivered immediately after checkout. There is no subscription and no recurring charge.
Does PlainDivorce file the paperwork for me?
No. You file with your Superior Court clerk yourself, in person, by mail, or through the court's e-filing system. We are not a law firm, we cannot give legal advice, and we cannot appear or file on your behalf.
What if I buy it and it turns out my case has a dispute?
Email support within 30 days and we will refund you in full. See our Terms of Use for details.
Find out in 60 seconds whether the fully agreed track fits.
Answer a few questions about residency, agreement, and what's involved in your case. If it fits, you can download the kit immediately. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that instead.
Check Eligibility & Get the Kit$129 one-time · Instant PDF download · 30-day refund if it doesn't fit
Important Legal Disclaimer
PlainDivorce is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the New Jersey Judiciary. We do not provide legal advice, do not represent you in court, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using this site or the kit. The New Jersey Uncontested Divorce Kit is a self-help information product.
We do not guarantee that a judge will waive your hearing, that a clerk will accept your paperwork as filed, or a single total cost of your divorce. Court rules and fees change. As of September 2026 the published statewide complaint filing fee is $300, with a conditional $25 parenting-workshop fee and a $175 defendant response fee where applicable. You are responsible for verifying current requirements with your Superior Court Clerk before filing.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or feel unsafe, do not use a self-help kit to negotiate. Contact a New Jersey legal aid organization or a family law attorney.
Content last reviewed: September 2026.