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After filing for divorce, there may be a waiting period before the divorce becomes final and people receive the divorce decree. The following table provides the waiting period for a divorce decree for all 50 states. Not all states have a required waiting period after divorce; the time before your divorce decree is final may simply be based on how long it takes for the divorce court to hear the case.
If you have any more questions about the divorce laws in your state concerning the divorce waiting periods or remarriage waiting periods, speak to a local divorce lawyer. Fill out a divorce case review form or call 877-349-1310. Contact with a local divorce lawyer and set up a preliminary consultation today.
The following are the waiting periods for the final divorce decree in each state as of April, 2009:
| Waiting Period for Final Divorce Decree |
Waiting Period after Filing for Divorce |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 30 days |
| Alaska | 30 days |
| Arizona | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 3 months |
| California | 6 months |
| Colorado | 90 days |
| Connecticut | 90 days from return date |
| Delaware | 30 days |
| District of Columbia | 30 days |
| Florida | No statutory requirement |
| Georgia | No statutory requirement |
| Hawaii | No statutory requirement |
| Idaho | 20 days |
| Illinois | No statutory requirement |
| Indiana | 60 days |
| Iowa | 90 days |
| Kansas | 60 days |
| Kentucky | 60 days |
| Louisiana | 6 months w/o children; 1 year w/ children |
| Maine | 60 days |
| Maryland | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days + 90 days for no fault divorce 6 months + 90 days in fault divorce |
| Michigan | 60 days |
| Minnesota | 30 days |
| Mississippi | 60 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Montana | 20 days |
| Nebraska | 60 days |
| Nevada | No statutory requirement |
| New Hampshire | No statutory requirement |
| New Jersey | Varies on the judicial management track to which the divorce is assigned |
| New Mexico | No statutory requirement |
| New York | 1 year |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | No statutory requirement |
| Ohio | 30 to 90 days |
| Oklahoma | 10 days w/o children; 90 days w/ children |
| Oregon | 90 days |
| Pennsylvania | at least 90 days |
| Rhode Island | 60 days |
| South Carolina | 90 days |
| South Dakota | 60 days |
| Tennessee | 60 days w/o children; 90 days w/ children |
| Texas | 60 days |
| Utah | 90 days, unless the education class for divorcing parents is completed |
| Vermont | 20 days |
| Virginia | 2-3 months for uncontested divorce 18 months for contested divorce |
| Washington | 90 days |
| West Virginia | 20 days |
| Wisconsin | 120 days |
| Wyoming | 20 days |
The waiting periods after filing for divorce may vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the above summary is not intended to serve as legal advice. Laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on divorce waiting periods, speak to a local divorce lawyer in your state.