Uncontested divorce in Maine

How agreed divorces are handled in Maine

• No summary process.
• Use the court's form packets for divorce with or without children; uncontested cases can be finished at a short hearing after the 60 days.

Before you file in Maine

Who can file (residency)

You can file in Maine if any one of these is true: you have lived in Maine for 6 months or longer; you live in Maine and were married in Maine; you lived in Maine when the reason for the divorce arose; or your spouse lives in Maine.

Waiting period

Maine requires at least 60 days between filing all the needed divorce papers and the final hearing. Cases often take longer if you don't agree.

Law

19-A M.R.S. 901 · Maine Judicial Branch (Divorce)

Forms, fees and filing in Maine

Official forms

Divorce forms (Maine courts)

Court self-help

Divorce self-help (Maine courts)

Filing fee

$120 to file a family matter (divorce) case (Maine Judicial Branch fee schedule, A.O. JB-05-26, effective March 9, 2026). Court mediation in a pre-judgment family case is $160 for two sessions. No fee to restore your name in the divorce.

If you can't afford the fee

If you qualify because of your finances, the court may waive your filing fees; ask the clerk for the fee waiver application.

E-filing

Maine eCourts is being rolled out; check https://www.courts.maine.gov/ecourts/index.html for whether family cases can be e-filed in your court.

If your spouse agrees to sign

Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff.

If you agree on only some issues

Common. If your case is contested (especially with minor children), the court will usually schedule mediation at the courthouse or on Zoom. The fee for initial mediation is $160 for two sessions unless you qualify for a waiver. Tell the court if you have safety concerns: https://www.courts.maine.gov/programs/adr/index.html

An uncontested divorce in Maine, step by step

1. Check that you can file in Maine

   You can file in Maine if any one of these is true: you have lived in Maine for 6 months or longer; you live in Maine and were married in Maine; you lived in Maine when the reason for the divorce arose; or your spouse lives in Maine.

2. Check how agreed cases are finished

   No summary process.

3. Fill in the official forms

   Use the court's official divorce forms: Divorce forms (Maine courts)

4. File, and pay the fee or ask for a waiver

   $120 to file a family matter (divorce) case (Maine Judicial Branch fee schedule, A.O. JB-05-26, effective March 9, 2026). Can't afford it? If you qualify because of your finances, the court may waive your filing fees; ask the clerk for the fee waiver application. Maine eCourts is being rolled out; check https://www.courts.maine.gov/ecourts/index.html for whether family cases can be e-filed in your court.

5. Have your spouse sign or be served

   Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff.

6. Wait out the waiting period

   Maine requires at least 60 days between filing all the needed divorce papers and the final hearing.

7. Get the final decree

   The judge signs the final decree (judgment), which ends the marriage. Get a certified copy and keep it.

Questions about uncontested divorce in Maine

More about divorce in Maine

• All Maine divorce laws
• Maine divorce forms and filing fees
• Alimony in Maine
• Child custody and support in Maine
• Serving divorce papers in Maine
• Divorce timeline estimator for Maine
• Divorce checklist for Maine
• Uncontested divorce: how it works
• Divorce waiting periods by state

Uncontested divorce in nearby states