Uncontested divorce in Colorado

Who can use the process for agreed cases in Colorado

• Decree upon affidavit (JDF 1018, Affidavit for Decree without Appearance): if there are no minor children (or both of you have lawyers or paraprofessionals), no disputed facts, and property is divided by agreement, the judge can enter the decree without a hearing after the 91 days.
• You can also file as co-petitioners.

What you file in Colorado

The forms the court's own instructions name for an agreed case in Colorado:

• JDF 1018, Affidavit for Decree without Appearance
• Waiver of Service (JDF 1013) (for your spouse to sign)
• JDF 205, Motion to File Without Payment (if you can't pay the fee)

Before you file in Colorado

Who can file (residency)

You or your spouse must have lived (been domiciled) in Colorado for 91 days before you file.

Waiting period

The decree can't be entered until 91 days after the petition is filed and your spouse is served (or signs a waiver of service or joins as co-petitioner). This applies even if you agree on everything.

Law

C.R.S. 14-10-106(1)(a)(I) · C.R.S. 14-10-106(1)(a)(III); Colorado Judicial Branch JDF 1010

Forms, fees and filing in Colorado

Official forms

Divorce forms (Colorado courts)

Court self-help

Divorce self-help (Colorado courts)

Filing fee

$230 to file the petition; $116 for your spouse to file a response (C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(a)-(b)).

If you can't afford the fee

File JDF 205, Motion to File Without Payment, and JDF 206 order (with the financial affidavit) with your petition.

E-filing

Self-represented people can e-file through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system: coloradojudicial.gov: E filing non attorneys

If your spouse agrees to sign

Your spouse can sign a Waiver of Service (JDF 1013).

If you agree on only some issues

If parents can't agree on a parenting plan, the court may order mediation; many districts require mediation before a contested hearing. Ask your family court facilitator: coloradojudicial.gov: Family court facilitator contacts

An uncontested divorce in Colorado, step by step

1. Check that you can file in Colorado

   You or your spouse must have lived (been domiciled) in Colorado for 91 days before you file.

2. See if you qualify for the simpler process

   Decree upon affidavit (JDF 1018, Affidavit for Decree without Appearance): if there are no minor children (or both of you have lawyers or paraprofessionals), no disputed facts, and property is divided by agreement, the judge can enter the decree without a hearing after the 91 days.

3. Fill in the official forms

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

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

   $230 to file the petition; $116 for your spouse to file a response (C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(a)-(b)). Can't afford it? File JDF 205, Motion to File Without Payment, and JDF 206 order (with the financial affidavit) with your petition. Self-represented people can e-file through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system: coloradojudicial.gov: E filing non attorneys.

5. Have your spouse sign or be served

   Your spouse can sign a Waiver of Service (JDF 1013).

6. Wait out the waiting period

   The decree can't be entered until 91 days after the petition is filed and your spouse is served (or signs a waiver of service or joins as co-petitioner).

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 Colorado

More about divorce in Colorado

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

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