• You can obtain a divorce as soon as you wish, subject to the court’s availability, as compared to the regular process, which takes at least 3 months.
• You can move on with your life more quickly.

There are a number of forms that you will need to complete in order to file for divorce and waive the 90-day statutory waiting period.

To start the process – the Complaint

You will need to complete the following two forms:

• Summons Family Actions (JD-FM-3)
• Divorce Complaint (Dissolution of Marriage) JD-FM-159 or, if you are filing to dissolve a civil union, not a marriage, the Dissolution of Civil Union Complaint (JD-FM-159A)

If you cannot afford the court fees to file for a divorce:

• You can also ask the court to waive the fees by filing an Application For Waiver Of Fees/Payment Of Costs/Appointment Of Counsel - Family (JD-FM-75) form to show the court why you cannot afford to pay.
• Do not sign this form until you are in front of a court clerk or a notary public.

You will also need to complete the notice of automatic court orders and attach it to the Complaint;

• Notice of Automatic Court Orders (JD-FM-158)

To ask a judge to waive the 90-day waiting period

You will need to complete and file the following form under oath:

• Motion to Waive Statutory Time Period – Divorce or Legal Separation (JD-FM-247)

To avoid the time and expense of having a State Marshal deliver the papers to your spouse

Your spouse can agree to waive service by completing the following forms:

• Certification of Waiver of Service of Process – Divorce, Legal Separation and Annulment (JD-FM-249) This form is to be completed under oath. Do not sign this form until you are in front of a court clerk or a notary public.
• Appearance (JD-CL-12)

Other forms you will need to file

The person named as the defendant on the summons form will need to file an Appearance JD-CL-12 (the person named as the plaintiff files his or her appearance directly on the summons form).

• Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6-LONG) OR
• Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6-SHORT) AND
• Dissolution Agreement (JD-FM-172)

If you have children, you will also need to complete the following forms:

• Worksheet for the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines (CCSG -1)
• Advisement of Rights (JD-FM-71)
• Affidavit Concerning Children (JD-FM-164)

Please file all forms with the Clerk's office. You may want to make copies of the forms that you file.

• If you have children under the age of 18 (eighteen), you must take part in a Parenting Education Program within 60 (sixty) days after a family case is filed.
• There is a fee for the classes that you will have to pay unless the court has decided that you cannot afford to pay.
• You will need the following forms to participate in the class:
  • Parenting Education Program – List of Approved Programs (JDP-FM-151)
  • Parenting Education Program - Order, Certificate and Results (JD-FM-149)

• On the day of your divorce hearing be sure to come to court early because it can take 10 to 20 minutes to get into the courthouse since everyone must go through a metal detector.
• Be sure to bring your filled out court forms and copies of any other forms you may have filed.
• Go to your assigned courtroom and wait for instructions.
• If you are not sure where to go, check with the Clerk’s office or Court Service Center.

• Every case is different and this information sheet is to be used as a guide only.
• If you think you need more help, you may want to get an attorney.
• You can also go to a Court Service Center or contact the Connecticut Network for Legal Aid  or find additional information at the Law Libraries
• Court staff can answer procedural questions and help you understand the legal process, but cannot give you legal advice.

The information on this webpage is provided as a service and a convenience by the Connecticut Judicial Branch. It is not intended as legal advice to any person. If you have questions about the use of these forms, your legal rights, or particular issues in your case, it is strongly recommended that you talk to an attorney.

Due to the changing nature of the law, the forms and information found on this website will change from time to time. It is up to you to follow the current procedures and to file the correct, up-to-date forms