Washington, D.C. is a unique place to file for divorce due to its unique court system. Unlike other states, the District of Columbia does not have a family or domestic court. Instead, residents must file for divorce in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The process of filing for divorce in Washington, D.C. is similar to other states, but there are some key differences to be aware of.
The process to File for Divorce in Washington DC is to:
1. Determine whether you are eligible to file for divorce in Washington, D.C. In order to file for divorce in Washington, D.C., one of the spouses must have been a resident of the District of Columbia for at least six months prior to filing.
2. Prepare the divorce paperwork. In Washington, D.C., divorce petitions must be filed with the Superior Court Clerk’s Office. The paperwork required for a divorce includes the Petition for Divorce and any other forms related to the divorce, such as a Custody or Support Order.
3. File the paperwork with the Clerk’s Office. Once the paperwork is completed and signed, it must be filed with the Clerk’s Office. The fee for filing a Petition for Divorce is $250.
4. Serve the paperwork on your spouse