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How Long Must You Wait for Your Divorce Decree?

Once people file for divorce, they often wonder about the shortest amount of time for their divorce to become final and for them to receive their divorce decree. The following table provides the waiting period for a divorce decree for all 50 states.

If you have any more questions about the divorce laws in your state concerning the waiting periods to file for divorce, receive your decree or get remarried after divorce, speak to a local divorce lawyer as soon as possible. Simply fill out our divorce case review form or call 1 (877) 349-1310, and we'll help you get in contact with one of our sponsoring divorce lawyers in your area.

Waiting Period for Divorce Decree for All 50 States
(as of August 14, 2007)


Residency Requirement for Filing Divorce Time Period
Alabama 6 months before filing
Alaska No statutory provision
Arizona 90 days before filing
Arkansas 60 days before filing
California No statutory provision
Colorado 90 days prior to divorce decree
Connecticut 12 months prior to divorce decree
Delaware 6 months before filing
District of Columbia 6 months before filing
Florida 6 months before filing
Georgia 6 months before filing
Hawaii 6 months before filing
Idaho 6 weeks before filing
Illinois 90 days before filing
Indiana 6 weeks before filing
Iowa 1 year before filing
Kansas 60 days before filing
Kentucky 180 days before filing
Louisiana 12 months before filing
Maine 6 months before filing
Maryland No statutory provision
Massachusetts No statutory provision if both parties are residents of state
Michigan 180 days before filing
Minnesota 180 days before filing
Mississippi 6 months before filing
Missouri 90 days before filing
Montana 90 days before filing
Nebraska 1 year before filing
Nevada 6 weeks before filing
New Hampshire 1 year before filing
New Jersey 1 year before filing
New Mexico 6 months before filing
New York 1 year before filing
North Carolina 6 months before filing
North Dakota 6 months before filing
Ohio 6 months before filing
Oklahoma 6 months before filing
Oregon 6 months before filing
Pennsylvania 6 months before filing
Rhode Island 1 year before filing, but only 3 months if both parties are residents of the state
South Carolina 1 year before filing
South Dakota No statutory provision
Tennessee 6 months before filing
Texas 6 months before filing
Utah 6 months before filing
Vermont 6 months before filing
Virginia 6 months before filing
Washington No statutory provision
West Virginia 1 year before filing. Requirement waived if marriage took place in state.
Wisconsin 6 months before filing
Wyoming 6 months before filing