Washington · Uncontested divorce · Updated Oct 2026

Uncontested divorce in Washington

What couples who agree need to know in Washington: how agreed cases are handled, the residency rule, the waiting period, the official forms, the fee waiver, how your spouse can sign instead of being served and mediation.

The short answer

For agreed cases in Washington: No separate summary procedure, but if you agree, you can both sign the final orders (or your spouse joins the petition) and schedule a short hearing or present them after the 90-day wait.

Who can file (residency)
No minimum time
Waiting period
90 days after service
Filing fee
Check with your court

How agreed divorces are handled in Washington

No separate summary procedure, but if you agree, you can both sign the final orders (or your spouse joins the petition) and schedule a short hearing or present them after the 90-day wait.

Before you file in Washington

Who can file (residency)
You can file in Washington if you live in Washington, or are in the military and stationed here, or are married to someone who lives in Washington or is stationed here. There is no minimum length of time.
Waiting period
The court can't finalize the divorce until at least 90 days after the petition has been both filed and served on your spouse (whichever happens later starts the clock).
Law
RCW 26.09.030 · RCW 26.09.030; WA Courts Summons form FL Divorce 200 (09/2026)

Forms, fees and filing in Washington

Official forms
Divorce forms (Washington courts)
Court self-help
Divorce self-help (Washington courts)
If you can't afford the fee
Ask for a fee waiver under General Rule 34 (GR 34 Fee Waiver forms on the WA Courts forms page): https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/

If your spouse agrees to sign

Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.

If you agree on only some issues

Some courts offer or require mediation or settlement conferences, especially for parenting plans; check your county's local rules.

An uncontested divorce in Washington, step by step

  1. Check that you can file in Washington

    You can file in Washington if you live in Washington, or are in the military and stationed here, or are married to someone who lives in Washington or is stationed here.

  2. Check how agreed cases are finished

    No separate summary procedure, but if you agree, you can both sign the final orders (or your spouse joins the petition) and schedule a short hearing or present them after the 90-day wait.

  3. Fill in the official forms

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

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

    Can't afford it? Ask for a fee waiver under General Rule 34 (GR 34 Fee Waiver forms on the WA Courts forms page): https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/.

  5. Have your spouse sign or be served

    Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.

  6. Wait out the waiting period

    The court can't finalize the divorce until at least 90 days after the petition has been both filed and served on your spouse (whichever happens later starts the clock).

  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 Washington

Is there a simplified divorce for agreed cases in Washington?

No separate summary procedure, but if you agree, you can both sign the final orders (or your spouse joins the petition) and schedule a short hearing or present them after the 90-day wait.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in Washington?

The court can't finalize the divorce until at least 90 days after the petition has been both filed and served on your spouse (whichever happens later starts the clock).

Who can file for an uncontested divorce in Washington?

You can file in Washington if you live in Washington, or are in the military and stationed here, or are married to someone who lives in Washington or is stationed here. There is no minimum length of time.

Does my spouse have to be served if we agree in Washington?

Someone else (not you) must personally serve your spouse with the Summons and Petition, or your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.

Is mediation required in Washington?

Some courts offer or require mediation or settlement conferences, especially for parenting plans; check your county's local rules.

More about divorce in Washington

Uncontested divorce in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.