Your FL-800 is ready. What to do next
- Check it and both sign
Open the PDF and read both pages together. If something is wrong, fix it here and download again. Both of you sign page 2 by hand. FL-810 says you sign under penalty of perjury and “You may not sign each other’s name.”
- Share your financial information first
FL-810 (steps 1 to 4) says each of you gives the other: a list of property and debts (the FL-810 worksheets on pages 7, 9 and 11, or FL-140 with FL-142 or FL-160), the tax returns you filed in the last two years, an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150), and a written statement about business and investment opportunities. Items 11 and 12 of FL-800 say you have done this.
- Property agreement or item 13a
FL-810 (step 5): if you have community assets or debts, complete your property settlement agreement; both of you date and sign it. The court links a fill-in agreement. If you have none, check item 13a; no separate agreement is needed.
- Fill out FL-825
FL-810 (step 8): fill out the caption of the Judgment of Dissolution and Notice of Entry of Judgment (form FL-825), check 1b or 1c if a former name is restored, and fill in both addresses on page 2. The court fills out the rest. If you have an agreement, staple it to FL-825. You can use our free FL-825 tool.
- Make copies
FL-810 says to make three sets of the forms and the agreement. Item 19 of FL-800 says you submit the original and three copies of FL-825. The court’s guide says to give the clerk the original forms and 2 copies. Ask the clerk how many your court wants. FL-810 also says to keep a blank Notice of Revocation (form FL-830) for each of you.
- File with the superior court clerk
Take the forms to the clerk’s office with two self-addressed stamped envelopes, one for each of you (Find My Court). The court’s guide says the filing fee is $435-$450. If you cannot pay, ask for a fee waiver (FW-001 and FW-003); FL-810 says that if only one of you qualifies, the other pays the fee. Some courts require local forms: check with the clerk.
- Wait six months
The court’s guide says the judgment will have a date on it 6 months after you filed, and until that date you are not divorced and cannot get remarried. The clerk may give you FL-825 when you file or mail it later. Either of you can stop the case before that date by filing form FL-830.
Good to know
- FL-810 says: “You may not need a lawyer, but it is in your best interest to see a lawyer about the ending of your marriage or domestic partnership.”
- FL-810 special warning: if you became a lawful permanent resident on the basis of your marriage, a dissolution within two years of the marriage may lead to deportation, and you should consult a lawyer first.
- Domestic partners who qualify can instead use a summary dissolution through the California Secretary of State; FL-810 says there is no filing fee for that process.
- Item 18: tell the court and each other about any new mailing address or phone number for six months after filing (form MC-040).
- The court’s guide says: if you don’t qualify but agree on every issue, you may file a joint petition for divorce.
- If you are afraid of your spouse or partner, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. This tool asks no safety questions.
Sources: California Courts Self-Help Guide: Find out if you qualify for summary dissolution · Fill out forms · File the forms · Summary Dissolution Information (FL-810) · form FL-800.