New Jersey Divorce and Dissolution Resources: Know Your Next Step
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A New Jersey divorce is filed in the Superior Court, usually in the Chancery Division, Family Part, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.
New Jersey's core family statutes live in the New Jersey Statutes Title 2A:34 - Dissolution of Marriage. In New Jersey, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.
Official New Jersey divorce resources
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New Jersey family law forms (official index) (New Jersey judicial branch): The official statewide collection of New Jersey family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/forms
New Jersey court self-help resources (New Jersey courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own New Jersey family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help
JEDS (Judiciary Electronic Document Submission) (NJ Courts): If you do not have a lawyer, JEDS is your e-filing system for family cases, including divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence papers, 24 hours a day. Attorneys mostly use a separate system called eCourts. https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/jeds
New Jersey official filing information (New Jersey judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in New Jersey and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help
New Jersey financial affidavit and disclosure forms (njcourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most New Jersey family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/forms
New Jersey mediation and dispute resolution (New Jersey judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a New Jersey family case without a trial. https://www.njcourts.gov/courts/family/family-econ-mediation
Verified official New Jersey divorce documents
These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.
Certification in Support of Judgment of Divorce / Dissolution (CN 12620), form CN 12620 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/12620_cert_divorce_papers.pdf
Official link data for New Jersey was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for divorce in New Jersey?
In the Superior Court, usually in the Chancery Division, Family Part that serves the county where you live. In New Jersey, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.
How much does it cost to file a family case in New Jersey?
Divorce filing fee: ~$300. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Do I need a lawyer to file a New Jersey divorce?
No. New Jersey publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.
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