A simpler, faster way to get divorced in New York.
When you and your spouse agree, getting divorced shouldn’t be complicated.
Express Divorce makes the uncontested divorce process easier — with straightforward steps, clear pricing, and the experience of a New York matrimonial law firm behind you.
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Preparing a New York divorce means working through a specific set of court documents, financial information, notices, and final judgment papers.
For an uncontested divorce, the forms depend on your circumstances — including whether you have children, whether support is involved, whether you have a written settlement agreement, and how your spouse participates in the case.
This guide explains the principal New York divorce forms, what each one is used for, and where it fits in the process.
WHAT ARE DIVORCE FORMS?
The Documents That Move Your Case Through New York Supreme Court
Divorce forms are the papers used to begin the action, document the parties’ positions and agreements, provide required financial information, and ultimately obtain a Judgment of Divorce.
In New York, divorce actions are handled in Supreme Court. The spouse who starts the action is the Plaintiff, and the other spouse is the Defendant.
There is not one single form that completes the entire divorce. An uncontested case generally involves a group of documents used at different stages of the proceeding.
Depending on the case, those documents may address:
New York Courts provides a statewide Uniform Uncontested Divorce Packet, but not every case uses exactly the same documents.
NEW YORK USES STATEWIDE FORMS — BUT YOUR CASE STILL MATTERS
The Form Packet Depends on Your Circumstances
New York provides statewide uncontested-divorce forms and instructions, which creates more consistency than systems that rely entirely on local forms.
That does not mean every uncontested divorce requires the same paperwork.
The forms can differ depending on factors such as:
Individual counties may also have filing practices or administrative requirements that need to be followed.
The important question is therefore not simply:
“Do I have the New York divorce forms?”
It is:
“Do I have the right New York forms for my divorce?”
THE CORE NEW YORK DIVORCE FORMS
Summons With Notice or Summons and Verified Complaint
These are the principal documents used to start a New York divorce action.
The Plaintiff generally begins by filing either:
These documents identify the parties, state the basis for the divorce, and provide notice of the relief being sought.
For many uncontested cases, the no-fault ground is that the relationship has been irretrievably broken for at least six months.
Because the initiating documents form the foundation of the action, names, dates, addresses, and other identifying information should be accurate and consistent with the later papers.
REQUIRED NOTICES
Notice of Automatic Orders
When a New York matrimonial action begins, statutory automatic orders restrict certain financial conduct while the case is pending.
The purpose is to help preserve the financial status quo during the divorce.
Among other things, the orders can affect transfers of property, retirement assets, insurance, and certain financial transactions.
Notice Concerning Continuation of Health Care Coverage
New York divorce papers also include a notice concerning the possible effect of divorce on health-insurance coverage.
This is particularly important when one spouse receives coverage through the other spouse’s employment or insurance plan.
SERVICE AND DEFENDANT FORMS
Affidavit of Service
Proper service is a critical part of starting the divorce.
When formal service is required, the Plaintiff generally cannot serve the Defendant personally. An eligible third person completes service and signs an Affidavit of Service describing when and how the papers were delivered.
The affidavit provides the court with evidence that service was completed.
Affidavit of Defendant
In a cooperative uncontested divorce, the Defendant may sign an Affidavit of Defendant.
This document can confirm the Defendant’s participation in the uncontested process and address matters required by the court.
Not every case follows exactly the same Defendant procedure, so the appropriate paperwork depends on how the spouse responds after the action begins.
FINANCIAL AND SUPPORT FORMS
Income and Support Worksheets
When child support or maintenance is involved, New York requires specific financial calculations and disclosures.
Depending on the case, the uncontested-divorce papers may include:
These documents help calculate the statutory support amounts and provide the court with the financial information needed to review the proposed terms.
When the parties agree to a support amount that differs from the statutory calculation, additional language or findings may be required.
THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
The Document That Defines the Parties’ Agreement
In many uncontested divorces, the parties use a written settlement agreement to address the issues arising from the marriage.
A settlement agreement may cover:
A carefully drafted agreement matters because it may continue to govern the parties long after the Judgment of Divorce is entered.
It should clearly state not only what the parties have agreed to, but also how and when important obligations will be carried out.
FINAL UNCONTESTED DIVORCE FORMS
Affidavit of Plaintiff
The Affidavit of Plaintiff provides sworn information supporting the requested divorce and the relief reflected in the uncontested submission.
It is part of the final set of documents presented for judicial review.
Note of Issue and Request for Judicial Intervention
These documents are used to place the uncontested matrimonial matter before the court for consideration.
They are part of the later filing stage rather than the initial commencement of the action.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
These proposed findings provide the legal and factual basis upon which the court may grant the divorce and the requested relief.
Judgment of Divorce
The Judgment of Divorce is the court order that legally ends the marriage.
Until the divorce is granted and the judgment is signed and entered, filing forms or signing an agreement alone does not terminate the marriage.
The judgment may incorporate or refer to the parties’ settlement terms and address the relief granted by the court.
Certified copies may later be useful for matters such as:
ADDITIONAL FORMS WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED
A Divorce With Children Requires Additional Detail
A New York divorce involving children can still be uncontested, but the paperwork must address the child-related issues required by law.
Depending on the circumstances, the documents may need to address:
Custody
The papers should reflect the parents’ agreement concerning legal decision-making and the child’s residential arrangement.
Parenting Time
The parties may need to establish the regular parenting schedule together with holidays, vacations, and other arrangements.
Child Support
New York applies the Child Support Standards Act when determining child support.
The appropriate financial worksheets and statutory disclosures must be completed even when the parents have reached their own agreement.
Health Insurance
The divorce documents may need to identify how health-insurance coverage for the children will be maintained.
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
The parties should address responsibility for qualifying medical, dental, therapeutic, or other health-related expenses not covered by insurance.
Child-Care Expenses
Where applicable, the parties may need to address employment-related child-care expenses and how those costs will be allocated.
Educational and Other Child-Related Expenses
The parties may also agree on responsibilities involving education, extracurricular activities, or other expenses.
Agreement Is What Keeps the Matter Uncontested
Having children does not automatically make a New York divorce contested.
If the parents have already resolved custody, parenting time, child support, and the other required issues, the matter may still proceed through an uncontested process.
If those issues remain disputed, additional legal proceedings may be necessary and the case may no longer be suitable for a standard Express Divorce uncontested package.
PARENTING AGREEMENTS AND CUSTODY PROVISIONS
Parenting Arrangements in a New York Divorce
When parents are divorcing, the agreement and divorce papers should clearly address how parenting responsibilities will work after the marriage ends.
Depending on the family, the terms may address:
In an uncontested divorce, the parents should already have reached agreement on these issues.
A vague arrangement may be easier to write, but a clear parenting schedule can reduce future uncertainty and conflict.
UCCJEA INFORMATION
When Child-Custody Jurisdiction Must Be Addressed
New York has adopted the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).
When custody is part of the divorce, the court may need information about:
This information helps determine whether New York has jurisdiction to make an initial custody determination.
The UCCJEA can become particularly important when a child recently moved to New York, has lived in several states, or is already subject to an out-of-state custody order.
Cases involving interstate or international custody questions may require legal advice even when the parents otherwise agree.
CHILD SUPPORT FORMS
New York Child Support Calculations
When children are involved, the divorce papers must properly address child support.
New York applies the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). The uncontested-divorce process may require financial worksheets showing the parents’ income and the applicable statutory calculation.
The relevant information can include:
If the parents agree to a child-support amount that differs from the statutory calculation, additional language and findings may be required.
An agreement between parents does not eliminate the need to address the New York child-support requirements correctly.
HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAL EXPENSES
Health Coverage for Children
A divorce involving children should address how health-insurance coverage will be maintained and how uninsured or unreimbursed medical expenses will be allocated.
The agreement may need to identify:
These provisions should be consistent with the child-support terms and the information provided elsewhere in the divorce papers.
FORMS USED IN AN UNCONTESTED NEW YORK DIVORCE
When Both Spouses Have Reached Agreement
New York does not use the various state-specific labels found elsewhere, such as “simplified dissolution” or “mutual consent divorce.”
For Express Divorce, the relevant distinction is whether the New York divorce is uncontested.
In an uncontested matter, the parties have resolved the issues necessary for the court to grant the divorce without litigating those issues.
Depending on the case, the filing may include:
The exact package depends on whether children, support, property, or other issues are involved.
ADDITIONAL FORMS THAT MAY BE NEEDED
Not Every Divorce Uses Only the Standard Uncontested Packet
Some matters require additional documents because of the circumstances of the case.
Motions or Applications for Temporary Relief
When spouses cannot agree on immediate issues while the divorce is pending, one party may ask the court for temporary relief.
That can involve matters such as:
A matter requiring motion practice is generally outside the ordinary streamlined Express Divorce process.
Answer
If the Defendant disputes the allegations or relief requested in the divorce, the Defendant may serve an Answer.
Once material issues are disputed, the case is no longer proceeding as a straightforward uncontested divorce.
Fee-Waiver Application
A person who cannot afford the required court filing fees may ask the court for a fee waiver based on financial hardship.
The court reviews the person’s financial circumstances and determines whether qualifying fees should be waived.
QDRO or Other Retirement Order
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) may be necessary when certain employer-sponsored retirement benefits are being divided.
Other types of pension or governmental retirement plans may require different domestic-relations orders.
These documents are separate from the basic Judgment of Divorce and often require specialized drafting and plan review.
Default-Related Documents
If the Defendant has been properly served and does not participate, additional documentation may be necessary to proceed by default.
A default does not eliminate the need to prove that service and the other procedural requirements were satisfied.
DOCUMENTS TO GATHER BEFORE YOU START
Getting Organized Before Preparing the Forms
You do not necessarily need every document below for every uncontested divorce, but collecting the relevant information early can make the process much easier.
Marriage and Identity Information
Consider gathering:
Income Information
Depending on your case:
Asset Information
This may include:
Debt Information
Gather information concerning:
Insurance Information
Depending on the case:
Children’s Information
When applicable:
NEW YORK COURT FILING FEES
What Court Costs Should You Expect?
For an uncontested New York divorce, the minimum court filing fees are currently $335.
This includes the $210 index-number fee needed to start the action and the later fees required to place the uncontested matter before the court.
Depending on the case, additional expenses may include:
Court fees are separate from Express Divorce service fees unless a package expressly states otherwise.
PARENTING EDUCATION
Is a Parenting Class Required in New York?
New York does not have one universal statewide parenting-course requirement that applies automatically to every divorce involving children.
However, individual courts, judges, counties, or particular cases may impose additional requirements or recommend parenting education.
Because local practice can vary, parents should follow the instructions applicable to the court handling their case.
Even when a course is not required, some parents choose co-parenting education voluntarily to help establish more effective communication and clearer expectations after separation.
WHEN THE FORMS ARE NO LONGER THE MAIN ISSUE
The New York uncontested-divorce forms are designed to document a case that is already resolved.
If the parties are still disputing custody, support, property, or another substantial issue, the problem is no longer simply identifying the correct forms.
At that point, the parties may need negotiation, mediation, legal advice, or court intervention before the divorce can proceed on an uncontested basis.
SEE WHICH EXPRESS DIVORCE OPTION FITS YOUR CASE
COMMON MISTAKES THAT CAN DELAY A NEW YORK DIVORCE
Incomplete or Inconsistent Information
Missing income, asset, debt, support, or child-related information can create problems later in the filing process.
The same is true when information does not match from one document to another
Better Approach
Review names, dates, financial figures, support terms, custody provisions, and settlement language carefully before filing.
Using the Wrong Forms for Your Case
New York’s uncontested-divorce paperwork can differ depending on whether children, support, property, or a settlement agreement are involved.
Better Approach
Use the form set that fits your actual circumstances rather than assuming every uncontested divorce uses the same packet.
Overlooking County Filing Practices
New York provides statewide uncontested-divorce forms, but local filing procedures and administrative requirements may still vary.
Better Approach
Confirm how the Supreme Court and County Clerk in the county where you are filing handles the relevant submissions.
Improper Service
If service is required and is not completed correctly, the case may not be able to proceed.
Better Approach
Follow New York’s service requirements carefully and make sure the appropriate Affidavit of Service or Defendant paperwork is completed.
Filing Before You Meet New York’s Residency Requirements
New York has specific residency requirements under Domestic Relations Law § 230.
Better Approach
Confirm that one of the statutory residency pathways applies before beginning the case.
Assuming Agreement Alone Is Enough
You and your spouse may agree generally but still have important terms that have not been documented clearly.
Better Approach
Before filing uncontested, make sure the agreement addresses the financial and parenting issues that apply to your marriage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Forms Do I Need for an Uncontested Divorce in New York?
The exact forms depend on your circumstances.
A New York uncontested filing may include documents such as:
Not every case requires every document in exactly the same way.
Can I Prepare My New York Divorce Forms Without a Lawyer?
Yes.
New York Courts provides forms and self-help resources for people representing themselves in uncontested divorces.
Whether self-representation is appropriate depends on the complexity of the case and whether you understand the legal effect of the agreement you are entering.
If important legal questions remain, attorney advice may still be appropriate even if the divorce is uncontested.
How Much Does It Cost to File for Divorce in New York?
New York Courts currently states that an uncontested divorce costs at least $335 in court filing fees.
Additional expenses may include service, certified copies, notarization, settlement-agreement filing fees, specialized retirement orders, or other third-party costs.
What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Dissolution in New York?
For this website, the relevant New York term is divorce.
A divorce action legally terminates the marriage and is filed in New York Supreme Court.
Some other states use “dissolution of marriage” as their terminology, but Express Divorce is focused on New York and should use New York terminology throughout.
How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in New York?
There is no single guaranteed timeline.
Timing depends on factors such as:
New York does not impose one universal waiting period that determines the completion date of every uncontested divorce.
What Happens If My Divorce Papers Are Incomplete?
The court may require corrections, additional documents, or clarification before the matter can proceed.
That can delay the case and may require documents to be revised and resubmitted.
This is one reason consistency across the entire divorce package matters.
Does Every Spouse Have to File a Full Financial Disclosure Form?
Not every New York uncontested divorce uses the same financial documents in the same manner.
However, financial information may be required to address property, maintenance, child support, and other financial issues properly.
The level of disclosure and the documents required depend on the circumstances of the case.
What Is the UCCJEA and Why Can It Matter?
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act governs jurisdiction over child-custody matters.
It becomes particularly important when a child has lived in more than one state, recently moved, or is already subject to another state’s custody order.
The court may need information about the child’s residence history and any existing or pending custody proceedings before making a custody determination.
Do Both Spouses Have to Sign Every Divorce Form?
No.
Different forms are signed by different people.
The Plaintiff signs certain papers, the Defendant may sign others, the person who completes service signs the Affidavit of Service, and the Judge signs the Judgment of Divorce.
If the parties use a settlement agreement, both spouses generally sign that agreement in the required form.
HOW EXPRESS DIVORCE HELPS
New York Divorce Papers Without Starting From Scratch
Express Divorce is designed for qualifying New York uncontested divorces.
Instead of sorting through court forms on your own, you provide information about your marriage and agreement through a structured process.
Depending on the package you select, Express Divorce can provide:
Personalized New York Divorce Documents
Your paperwork is prepared using the information and agreed terms you provide.
Guided Information Collection
The process helps organize the marriage, financial, property, support, and child-related information needed for the documents.
Filing Instructions
With Paperwork Only, you receive the prepared documents and guidance for handling the filing yourself.
Filing and Signature Support
With Filing Support, Express Divorce assists with the administrative filing process and spouse-signature coordination included in the package.
Attorney-Assisted Options
If your uncontested matter would benefit from legal advice, settlement review, or attorney oversight, additional attorney-assisted options are available.
The Goal Is Not More Paperwork. It Is the Right Paperwork.
The purpose of an uncontested-divorce service is not simply to generate forms.
It is to help organize the information, prepare the documents that fit the case, and make the next procedural step easier to understand.
START YOUR NEW YORK DIVORCE
When spouses disagree, attorney time, negotiations, discovery, motions, and court appearances can make legal costs difficult to predict.
When spouses have already reached agreement, the work can be more clearly defined.
$25k-$30k
EXPRESS DIVORCE
$799 – $7,999
Express Divorce was created to make New York uncontested divorce easier to understand and easier to complete.
From preparing your paperwork to helping with filing and signatures, our team provides the level of support you choose — with attorney review and attorney-led options available when you want more guidance.
We prepare your New York uncontested-divorce paperwork and provide clear filing instructions. You handle the filing with the court.
Get help with your New York divorce paperwork, court filing, spouse signatures, and the steps needed to move your uncontested divorce forward.
We handle your entire uncontested divorce process from start to finish, including paperwork preparation, filing, and court coordination so you don’t have to manage any steps on your own.
Express Divorce helps New Yorkers move through an uncontested divorce with clear steps, professional document preparation, and the level of support that fits their needs.
From filing assistance to attorney-reviewed and attorney-led options, the goal is simple: make the legal process easier when you and your spouse have already reached agreement.
