I need a divorce. We do not have minor children.

Step 1: Determine where to file your divorce. Expand Collapse

It’s important to file for divorce in the correct county. If you file in the wrong county, your case will be dismissed.

You can file for divorce in the county where you live or the county where your spouse lives as long as you or your spouse meets these residency requirements:

You can file for divorce in the county where you live as long as:
- you have lived in that county for at least the last 90 days, and
- you have lived in Texas for at least the last six months.
Or, you can file for divorce in the county where your spouse lives as long as:
- your spouse has lived in that county for at least the last 90 days, and
- your spouse has lived in Texas for at least the last six months.

If neither you nor your spouse meets the residency requirements, talk with a lawyer.

Read Filing a Divorce without Children for more information.

Step 2: Fill out the starting forms. Expand Collapse

Fill out an Original Petition for Divorce form (called the Petition for short)

Use this version if you have an opposite-sex marriage: Original Petition for Divorce (Set A)
Use this version if you have a same-sex marriage: Original Petition for Divorce (Set D)

You will file (turn in) the Petition at the courthouse to start your divorce case. The Petition tells the judge and your spouse that you want a divorce and states what you want the judge to order in the Final Decree of Divorce. The Frequently Asked Questions and related Articles included with these instructions will help you understand your options.

When you fill out the Petition:

Print your answers neatly in blue or black ink. Do not leave blanks.
You are the “petitioner” and your spouse is the “respondent.”
Talk to a lawyer if you have questions or need help.

Note: The Petition asks for your address. Your spouse will get a copy of the Petition. If you are concerned about your spouse knowing your address, call the Family Violence Legal Line at 800-374-4673 for free advice.

Fill out these additional starting forms if required for your case:

Civil Case Information Sheet (NOTE: the Texas Supreme Court has repealed the rule requiring the civil case information sheet, so you may not need this form. If you are filing paper documents in person at the clerk's office, you should complete it and bring it anyway, however.).
Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship (required for all cases)--hold on to this form and see Step 9, below).
Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs (use only if you cannot afford to pay the filing fee for your case) Call the clerk’s office to learn the filing fee for your case. Learn more here: Court Fees and Fee Waivers.

Make two copies of these completed starting forms:

Original Petition for Divorce
Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Courts (only if you are asking the court to waive court costs)

Step 3: File (turn in) your starting forms. Expand Collapse

File (turn in) your completed Petition and additional starting forms with the court.

You need to find out if your county has standing orders. If it does, you will need to attach a copy of the standing orders to your petition.

To file your forms online, go to E-File Texas and follow the instructions.
To file your forms in person, take your Petition and additional starting forms (and copies) to the district clerk’s office in the county you determined is the correct county to file for divorce.

At the clerk’s office:

Turn in your Petition and other starting forms (and copies).
Pay the filing fee (or file your completed Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs if you cannot afford the fee). You can call the clerk’s office ahead of time to learn the filing fee for your case.
Ask the clerk if there is a local standing order that you need to follow or attach to any of your documents.
Ask the clerk if there are local rules or procedures you need to know about for your divorce.
The clerk will write your “Cause Number” and “Court Number” at the top of the first page of your Petition. Write these numbers at the top of any document you file in your divorce case.)
The clerk will “file stamp” your copies with the date and time. The clerk will keep the original and give you back your copies. One copy is for you and one copy is for your spouse.

Step 4: Ask your spouse to sign an Answer or Waiver of Service form. Expand Collapse

Give your spouse:

a file-stamped copy of your Original Petition for Divorce, and
a blank Waiver of Service Only (Set A or D) form, or a blank Respondent’s Original Answer (Set A or D) form. (You can find the forms by scrolling to the bottom of this page, below the steps).

WARNING! Do not hand-deliver any papers to your spouse if there has been violence during your relationship, especially if a judge has signed a Protective Order ordering you or your spouse to stay away from the other. You can have your spouse served instead. If you decide to have your spouse served, use these instructions: Instructions & Forms for a Default Divorce without Children in the checklist directly below this checklist.

Ask your spouse to:

fill out and sign the Waiver of Service Only (Set A or D) form OR the Respondent’s Original Answer (Set A or D) form.

Your spouse can fill out and sign either form.

The Waiver of Service Only form must be signed in front of a notary. If your spouse plans to sign the Waiver of Service Only form, tell your spouse to sign it in front of a notary at least one day after you filed the Petition. Otherwise, your spouse will have to redo it. The law about waivers of service in divorces is Texas Family Code 6.4035.

The Respondent’s Original Answer form does not have to be signed in front of a notary.

Return the signed form to you.

If your spouse signs the waiver of service in front of a notary and gives it back to you, make three copies: one for your records, one to give back to your spouse, and a third to file with the district clerk, which you should do as soon as possible. The waiver must be on file, usually for at least 10 days, before you can finalize your case, although this duration may vary.

Tip: If your divorce is agreed, your spouse must also sign a completed Final Decree of Divorce form. It may save you time to fill out the Final Decree of Divorce form now and send it to your spouse with the Waiver of Service or Answer form. Read Step 5 for information about filling out the Decree.

WARNING! Effective January 1, 2021, once a party to a family law case (like a divorce) files an answer, both sides will be obligated to exchange certain information and documents within 30 days. This is required unless the parties agree otherwise, or the court lets you waive it. See Rule 11 Agreements for information about one way to waive required disclosures by agreement. Talk to a lawyer. Otherwise, complete the Required Initial Disclosures form.

Step 5: Fill out the Final Decree of Divorce form. Expand Collapse

Fill out the Final Decree of Divorce form.

Use this form if you have an opposite-sex marriage: Final Decree of Divorce (Set A)
Use this form if you have a same-sex marriage: Final Decree of Divorce (Set D)

You will ask the judge to sign the Final Decree of Divorce form when it’s time to finish your divorce. When signed by the judge, the Final Decree of Divorce ends your marriage and makes orders about your property and debt. It may include other orders depending on your case.

The Final Decree of Divorce form must be completely filled out (except for the judge’s signature) before you go to court. You and your spouse may want to fill out the Final Decree of Divorce form together.

When you fill out the Final Decree of Divorce:

Print your answers using blue or black ink. Do not leave blanks.
You are the petitioner and your spouse is the respondent.
Talk to a lawyer if you have questions or need help.

If you or your spouse wants a name change (back to a name used before the marriage, also fill out this form:

• Order Restoring Name Used Before Marriage

Note about retirement benefits: If you are dividing retirement benefits (other than an IRA), you must also complete a form called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). TexasLawHelp.org does not provide QDRO forms. You may contact the employer or retirement plan administrator to see if they have a sample QDRO form. If not, you should hire a lawyer to draft the QDRO form. If you use the employer or plan administrator’s form, you should still have a lawyer review it to make sure you are not giving up important benefits. You should have the QDRO prepared before you go to court, so the judge can sign it when you finish your divorce. Learn more here: Dividing Retirement Benefits Upon Divorce.

Step 6: Have your Final Decree of Divorce form reviewed (if possible). Expand Collapse

Some counties require this document to be reviewed by an attorney, while others do not. You should talk to the district clerk's office or court coordinator in your county about local requirements. Even if it's not required, it’s a good idea to have a family law lawyer review your completed Final Decree of Divorce form. Family law lawyers specialize in cases involving families, such as divorce cases.

You can hire a family law lawyer just to review your forms. This is called “limited scope representation.” You may also be able to talk with a lawyer for free at a legal clinic. If you need help finding a lawyer, you can:

Use our Legal Help Directory to search for a lawyer referral service, legal aid office or self-help center in your area.
Check our Legal Events and Clinics page for free legal clinics in your area.
Use Ask a Question to chat online with a lawyer or law student.

Step 7: Ask your spouse to sign the Final Decree of Divorce form. Expand Collapse

Ask your spouse to:

review and sign your completed Final Decree of Divorce form, and
return the signed Final Decree of Divorce form to you.

Note: Make sure the Final Decree of Divorce form is completely filled out before your spouse signs it. You CANNOT make changes to the Decree once it has been signed by your spouse, unless your spouse initials each change.

You will then:

sign the Final Decree of Divorce form, and
keep the signed Final Decree of Divorce form until it is time to finish your case.

Note: If your spouse filed an answer or waiver of service only but will not sign the Final Decree of Divorce form, your divorce is contested. To finish a contested divorce, you must set a contested final hearing. You must give your spouse at least 45 days’ notice of the final hearing. Read this article to learn more: How to Set a Contested Final Hearing (Family Law).

It’s always best to have a lawyer if your case is contested.

Step 8: Wait the 60-day waiting period. Expand Collapse

In almost all cases, you must wait at least 60 days before you can finish your divorce in court. You can always wait longer than 60 days, but your divorce cannot be finished in fewer than 60 days.

When counting the 60 days, find the day you filed your Original Petition for Divorce on a calendar, and then count out 60 more days (including weekends and holidays). If the 60th day falls on a weekend or holiday, go to the next business day. Note: When counting the 60 day waiting period, don’t count the day you filed your Original Petition for Divorce. Day 1 is the next day.

There are only two exceptions to the 60-day waiting period.

If your spouse has been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a crime involving family violence against you or a member of your household, the 60-day waiting period is waived.
If you have an active protective order or an active magistrate’s order for emergency protection against your spouse because of family violence during your marriage, the 60-day waiting period is waived.

Step 9: Get ready for court. Expand Collapse

Call the clerk’s office to learn when and where the court hears uncontested cases. If you would like to appear virtually, you may need to file a motion for use of emergency procedures. Read Virtual Court.

Print and read through the sample testimony (found below). You must read this testimony to the judge when you go to court to finish your divorce. Make sure everything in the sample testimony is true for you. If not, talk to a lawyer. Remember, everything you say in court must be true and correct. You can be charged with a crime for lying in court.

Use this form if you have an opposite-sex marriage: Sample Testimony Divorce without Children (Set A)
Use this form if you have a same-sex marriage: Sample Testimony Divorce without Children (Set D)

Read the article Tips for the Courtroom for more information about going to court.

Print and complete the Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship form (also known as the "Austin" form) on one sheet of paper, printed on the front and back of the page.

Step 10: Go to court to finish your divorce. Expand Collapse

Bring these papers with you to the courthouse on the day you plan to finish your case:

file-stamped copy of your Original Petition for Divorce; and
Waiver of Service or Answer form filled out and signed by your spouse; and
Final Decree of Divorce form completely filled out and signed by both you and your spouse; and
Sample Testimony for Divorce without Children; and
Any additional documents needed for your specific case, such as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) signed by both you and your spouse if you are dividing a retirement account.

When you get to the courthouse, go to the clerk’s office.

File (turn in) the Respondent’s Original Answer or Waiver of Service Only form that was filled out and signed by the other spouse. Ask the clerk to file stamp your copy. Bring your file-stamped copy with you to court.
Ask if you need the court file or docket sheet (list of what has been filed in your case).

When you get to the courtroom, tell the clerk you are there and give the clerk your paperwork. Sit down until the judge calls your case.

When the judge calls your case, walk to the front of the courtroom and stand in front of the judge’s bench. The judge will have you raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth. The judge may ask you questions or may ask you to read your testimony. Have your Sample Testimony for Divorce without Children ready. The judge will listen to what you say and review your papers. If everything is in order the judge will sign your Final Decree of Divorce.

Need to finish the case WITHOUT going to court?

Some judges allow the use of an affidavit to satisfy the prove-up requirements in an agreed divorce. If you’d like to see if the judge will accept an affidavit in place of short testimony you should contact the court coordinator. Some judges may not accept prove-up affidavits. Additionally, some judges will only accept prove-up affidavits for divorces with no children. If you determine that the judge will accept an affidavit, you can use this form: Affidavit for Prove-Up of Agreed Divorce Without Children. This form must be sworn in front of a notary. Everything in the affidavit must be true and correct. You can be charged with a crime for lying to the court. See Texas Penal Code 37.

Step 11: File the signed Final Decree of Divorce. Expand Collapse

After the judge signs your Final Decree of Divorce, go back to the clerk’s office.

File (turn in) the Final Decree of Divorce and any other orders signed by the judge. Your divorce is NOT final until you do so.
Get a certified copy of your Final Decree of Divorce and any other orders signed by the judge from the clerk while you are there. The clerk may charge a fee for the certified copies.
File the completed Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship form (also known as the "Austin" form), which must be printed on one sheet of paper on the front and back of the page.

Step 12: After your divorce is finished. Expand Collapse

Send a file-stamped copy of your Final Decree of Divorce and any other orders signed by the judge to your spouse.

Follow these additional steps if they apply:

If your name was changed, take a certified copy of your Final Decree of Divorce to the following agencies:
- Your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to change your social security card.
- Your local Department of Public Safety (DPS) office to change your driver’s license or state identification card.
- Your County Voter Registrar to change your voter registration card. (For more information, contact the Texas Secretary of State.)
- Contact the U.S. State Department to change your name on your passport.
Transfer car titles. If a vehicle (not already in your name alone) was awarded to you, give a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce to your county tax office and apply for title. The vehicle identification number (VIN) must be listed in your Final Decree of Divorce.
File deeds to transfer title to real property (house or land) at the real property records office in the county where the property is located.
If the judge signed a QDRO dividing a retirement account, send a certified copy of the QDRO to the administrator of the retirement plan by certified mail return receipt requested. If this isn’t done, you won’t get your share of the retirement funds.
Revise your will, insurance policies and all financial account beneficiary designations as needed.

Guide Overview

Common questions about Divorce

Instructions & Forms

Checklist Steps

Forms Required

Checklist Steps

Forms Required

Articles in this guide