Connecticut · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026

Serving divorce papers in Connecticut

How your spouse gets the divorce papers in Connecticut: who can deliver the papers, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.

Quick answer

A state marshal must serve your spouse with the summons and complaint, in hand or at their home (abode service), before the return date. Your spouse then has this long to respond: Your spouse should file an Appearance by the return date on the summons.

Law
Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-45, 46b-67

How papers are served in Connecticut

  • A state marshal must serve your spouse with the summons and complaint, in hand or at their home (abode service), before the return date.
  • If you file a joint nonadversarial petition, no service is needed.

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 46b-45, 46b-67

Deadline to respond and default

  • Your spouse should file an Appearance by the return date on the summons.
  • If they don't appear after in-hand or abode service, a default judgment can be entered no sooner than 30 days after the return date (60 days, after a hearing, for other kinds of service).

Serving your spouse in Connecticut, step by step

  1. File your papers first

    File with the Superior Court (family division) in the judicial district where you or your spouse live. Service comes after filing.

  2. Serve the papers

    A state marshal must serve your spouse with the summons and complaint, in hand or at their home (abode service), before the return date.

  3. File proof of service

    File the proof of service with the court.

  4. Watch the deadline

    Your spouse should file an Appearance by the return date on the summons.

  5. If there is no response

    If they don't appear after in-hand or abode service, a default judgment can be entered no sooner than 30 days after the return date (60 days, after a hearing, for other kinds of service).

Questions about serving divorce papers in Connecticut

How do you serve divorce papers in Connecticut?

A state marshal must serve your spouse with the summons and complaint, in hand or at their home (abode service), before the return date. If you file a joint nonadversarial petition, no service is needed.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Connecticut?

Your spouse should file an Appearance by the return date on the summons. If they don't appear after in-hand or abode service, a default judgment can be entered no sooner than 30 days after the return date (60 days, after a hearing, for other kinds of service).

What if my spouse doesn't respond in Connecticut?

If they don't appear after in-hand or abode service, a default judgment can be entered no sooner than 30 days after the return date (60 days, after a hearing, for other kinds of service).

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.