Wisconsin · Uncontested divorce · Updated Oct 2026

Uncontested divorce in Wisconsin

An agreed (uncontested) divorce in Wisconsin, from official sources: who can use the process for agreed cases, the residency rule, the waiting period, the official forms, the filing fee, the fee waiver, how your spouse can sign instead of being served and mediation.

Quick answer

Here is how Wisconsin handles a divorce when both spouses agree. Joint petition: you and your spouse can file together, which avoids formal service and starts the 120 days at filing.

Who can file (residency)
6 months
Waiting period
120 days after service
Filing fee
$184.50

Who can use the process for agreed cases in Wisconsin

  • Joint petition: you and your spouse can file together, which avoids formal service and starts the 120 days at filing.
  • The court's online forms assistant fills in most divorce forms.

Before you file in Wisconsin

Who can file (residency)
At least one spouse must have lived in Wisconsin for at least 6 months and in the county where you file for at least 30 days right before filing. File in the county where you live now, not where you married.
Waiting period
There is a required 120-day waiting period (counted from service of the summons and petition, or from filing a joint petition) before the final hearing. After the divorce is granted, neither of you can remarry anywhere for 6 months.
Law
Wis. Stat. 767.301; Wisconsin Court System Basic Guide to Divorce (FA-4100V, 09/24) · Wis. Stat. 767.335, 765.03(2); FA-4100V

Forms, fees and filing in Wisconsin

Official forms
Divorce forms (Wisconsin courts)
Court self-help
Divorce self-help (Wisconsin courts)
Filing fee
$184.50 to start a divorce with no request for support or maintenance; $194.50 if you ask for support or maintenance (Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Tables, updated Sept. 2, 2026; Wis. Stat. 814.61). Court-ordered mediation can cost up to $200 (first session free).
If you can't afford the fee
Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs (Affidavit of Indigency), available from the Wisconsin court forms page.

If your spouse agrees to sign

Your spouse must be served with the summons and petition (by sheriff or process server) or sign an Admission of Service; with a joint petition no service is needed.

If you agree on only some issues

If parents dispute custody or placement, the court will order at least one mediation session (first session free; fee up to $200); parenting plans must be given to the mediator 10 days before. DV exceptions apply. (Wis. Stat. 767.405; FA-4100V)

An uncontested divorce in Wisconsin, step by step

  1. Check that you can file in Wisconsin

    At least one spouse must have lived in Wisconsin for at least 6 months and in the county where you file for at least 30 days right before filing.

  2. See if you qualify for the simpler process

    Joint petition: you and your spouse can file together, which avoids formal service and starts the 120 days at filing.

  3. Fill in the official forms

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

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

    $184.50 to start a divorce with no request for support or maintenance; $194.50 if you ask for support or maintenance (Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Tables, updated Sept. 2, 2026; Wis. Stat. 814.61). Can't afford it? Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs (Affidavit of Indigency), available from the Wisconsin court forms page.

  5. Have your spouse sign or be served

    Your spouse must be served with the summons and petition (by sheriff or process server) or sign an Admission of Service; with a joint petition no service is needed.

  6. Wait out the waiting period

    There is a required 120-day waiting period (counted from service of the summons and petition, or from filing a joint petition) before 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 Wisconsin

Is there a simplified divorce for agreed cases in Wisconsin?

Joint petition: you and your spouse can file together, which avoids formal service and starts the 120 days at filing. The court's online forms assistant fills in most divorce forms.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in Wisconsin?

There is a required 120-day waiting period (counted from service of the summons and petition, or from filing a joint petition) before the final hearing. After the divorce is granted, neither of you can remarry anywhere for 6 months.

Who can file for an uncontested divorce in Wisconsin?

At least one spouse must have lived in Wisconsin for at least 6 months and in the county where you file for at least 30 days right before filing. File in the county where you live now, not where you married.

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

Your spouse must be served with the summons and petition (by sheriff or process server) or sign an Admission of Service; with a joint petition no service is needed.

How much does it cost to file an uncontested divorce in Wisconsin?

$184.50 to start a divorce with no request for support or maintenance; $194.50 if you ask for support or maintenance (Wisconsin Circuit Court Fee Tables, updated Sept. 2, 2026; Wis. Stat. 814.61). Court-ordered mediation can cost up to $200 (first session free).

Is mediation required in Wisconsin?

If parents dispute custody or placement, the court will order at least one mediation session (first session free; fee up to $200); parenting plans must be given to the mediator 10 days before. DV exceptions apply. (Wis. Stat. 767.405; FA-4100V)

More about divorce in Wisconsin

Uncontested divorce in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.