Nebraska · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026
Serving divorce papers in Nebraska
Service of divorce papers in Nebraska, from official sources: who can deliver the papers, how your spouse can accept or waive service, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.
The short answer
Your spouse can sign a Voluntary Appearance (form DC 6:4.3), or you file a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and the sheriff serves them, or, as a last resort, service by publication. Time to respond: 30 days after service (or after the Voluntary Appearance is filed)
- Time to respond
- 30 days after service
- Accept or waive service
- Yes
- Law
- Nebraska Judicial Branch, Simple Divorce self-help pages
How papers are served in Nebraska
- Your spouse can sign a Voluntary Appearance (form DC 6:4.3), or you file a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and the sheriff serves them, or, as a last resort, service by publication.
- You must serve your spouse or file the Voluntary Appearance within 6 months of filing or the case is dismissed.
Law: Nebraska Judicial Branch, Simple Divorce self-help pages
Deadline to respond and default
30 days after service (or after the Voluntary Appearance is filed)
If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.
Serving your spouse in Nebraska, step by step
File your papers first
File with the District Court in the county where you or your spouse lives. Service comes after filing.
Serve the papers
Your spouse can sign a Voluntary Appearance (form DC 6:4.3), or you file a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and the sheriff serves them, or, as a last resort, service by publication.
Or have your spouse sign
Your spouse can sign a Voluntary Appearance (form DC 6:4.3), or you file a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and the sheriff serves them, or, as a last resort, service by publication.
File proof of service
File the proof of service with the court.
Watch the deadline
30 days after service (or after the Voluntary Appearance is filed)
If there is no response
If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.
Questions about serving divorce papers in Nebraska
How do you serve divorce papers in Nebraska?
Your spouse can sign a Voluntary Appearance (form DC 6:4.3), or you file a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and the sheriff serves them, or, as a last resort, service by publication. You must serve your spouse or file the Voluntary Appearance within 6 months of filing or the case is dismissed.
Can my spouse accept or waive service in Nebraska?
Your spouse can sign a Voluntary Appearance (form DC 6:4.3), or you file a Praecipe for Summons (DC 6:4.4) and the sheriff serves them, or, as a last resort, service by publication. You must serve your spouse or file the Voluntary Appearance within 6 months of filing or the case is dismissed.
How long does my spouse have to respond in Nebraska?
30 days after service (or after the Voluntary Appearance is filed)
More about divorce in Nebraska
- All Nebraska divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Nebraska
- Nebraska divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Nebraska
- Child custody and support in Nebraska
- Divorce timeline estimator for Nebraska
- Divorce checklist for Nebraska
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
- Timeline estimator
Serving papers in nearby states
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-349
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-361
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-363
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-365
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-372.01
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-380
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-2928
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-2937
- Nebraska Judicial Branch: Filing Fees and Court Costs
- Nebraska Judicial Branch: Simple Divorce - With Children
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.