Residency and waiting periods, explained

Residency

Before a court will hear your divorce, you usually must have lived in that state for a set time — often around six months, sometimes more or less. A few states also require you to have lived in the specific county for a shorter time. If you just moved, you may need to wait, or file where you most recently met the requirement.

Waiting period

Separately, many states impose a waiting period between filing and when the divorce can be finalized — anywhere from none to several months. This is the state's built-in "cooling off" time.

What to do

Check your state's exact numbers on CaseForward's State page before you file — filing too early can get your case rejected and cost you the filing fee. When in doubt, your court clerk can confirm the current requirement.