SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE
Delaware Divorce Papers
Going through a divorce in Delaware can feel overwhelming, especially when you're staring down a stack of court forms with unfamiliar numbers and legal-sounding names. The good news: Delaware uses one statewide Family Court system, so the same set of forms applies whether your case is in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), or Sussex (Georgetown). Once you understand what each document does, the path forward gets a lot clearer.
This guide walks you through the core Delaware divorce papers — what each one is for, where to find them, and how the process generally moves from filing to final decree. We've kept everything plain-language and informational, so you can feel oriented before you ever set foot in a courthouse.
A quick but important note: this page describes what these forms do and how Delaware's process generally works. It is not legal advice, and every situation is different. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney who can look at the full picture of your circumstances.
Which Delaware Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Delaware publishes standardized forms through its single Family Court system, and they are not county-specific — the same form set applies statewide. The court lists roughly 72 divorce-related forms in total, but most people only encounter a core handful. The forms you'll use depend on your circumstances: whether you have children under 18, whether property needs to be divided, and whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. Below, the most commonly used forms are grouped by what they do.
Starting the Case
Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442)
The primary document filed by the petitioner to initiate divorce or annulment proceedings.
Information Sheet (Form 240)
A required cover sheet submitted along with the petition at filing.
Vital Statistics Sheet (Form 441) or Vital Statistics Same Sex Marriage (Form 441SS)
A vital statistics record required at filing; it captures demographic and marriage data for the state Office of Vital Statistics.
Request for Notice (Form 400)
A required form used to request court notice of case proceedings.
Responding to a Petition
Answer to Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 448)
The respondent's formal response to the divorce petition.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
In Delaware, property division is handled in a separate track known as "ancillary" proceedings. When property division is at issue, each party files financial disclosures on these forms.
Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report (Form 465)
A financial disclosure form filed by each party when property division (ancillary proceedings) is at issue.
Ancillary Pretrial Stipulation (Form 466)
Filed before an ancillary (property division) hearing to stipulate which facts are agreed and which are disputed.
Forms for Divorces With Children
When either party has children under 18, additional forms come into play. Note that custody and visitation forms are separate from the divorce forms themselves and are filed as part of ancillary or standalone custody proceedings.
Affidavit of Children's Rights (Form 279)
Required when either party has children under 18; it attests to awareness of children's rights in a divorce.
Child Support Calculation (Form 509) and Instructions (Form 509i)
The worksheet used to calculate a child support obligation under Delaware's Melson Formula. This is a worksheet rather than a simple numbered filing form, and the court also provides an online calculator.
Custody, Visitation and Guardianship Disclosure Report (Form 364)
A required factual disclosure submitted before custody mediation; it covers background information on the parties and children relevant to custody and visitation.
Petition for Custody (Form 345)
Filed to establish legal and/or physical custody when custody is contested or is not addressed in the divorce petition.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
When spouses reach agreement on key issues, these forms ask the court to recognize those arrangements.
Consent Order — Custody/Visitation (Form 349 / Form 349V)
Filed when the parties agree on custody and visitation arrangements.
Stipulation to Incorporate Separation Agreement (Form 443)
Used to ask the court to incorporate a private separation agreement into the divorce decree.
Finalizing Your Case
Request to Proceed without a Hearing (Form 446) and supporting Affidavit (Form 447)
Together, these allow an uncontested divorce to be decided on the papers alone, without a court appearance.
Affidavit of Non-Military Service (Form 405)
Certifies that the respondent is not on active military duty; it is required before a default judgment can be entered.
One thing to know: the final Decree of Divorce/Annulment is issued by the court — it is not a form the parties fill out. Certified copies cost $4 and non-certified copies cost $1 from the Records Department.
Where to Get Delaware Divorce Forms
Official State Courts Site
Delaware's Family Court publishes its divorce forms for free. You can download them directly from the official court forms page at courts.delaware.gov/family/divorce/forms.aspx. Because forms are standardized statewide, the same set applies in all three courthouse locations.
Family Court Locations
Delaware's Family Court operates in three locations — New Castle/Wilmington, Kent/Dover, and Sussex/Georgetown. Court staff can point you to the correct forms and explain filing logistics, though they cannot give legal advice. The filing fee at the time of research was $175 ($165 for the petition plus a $10 court security fee).
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
If cost is a concern, Delaware legal aid organizations and the court's self-help resources can help you understand the forms and may assist those who qualify. These services are a good option when you want guidance but aren't hiring a private attorney.
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you'd rather not sort through dozens of forms on your own, an online service can do the heavy lifting. Divorce.com guides you through a simple questionnaire and helps prepare the paperwork that fits your situation, so you spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, complex property division, or contested custody, working with a Delaware family law attorney can be the right fit. An attorney can prepare and review your documents and represent you in ancillary or custody proceedings.
The Delaware Divorce Process
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
Either spouse must have resided in Delaware for at least six months immediately preceding filing, or have been stationed in Delaware as military for that period.
2. File the Petition
The petitioner files the Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442) along with the Information Sheet (Form 240), the Vital Statistics Sheet (Form 441 or 441SS), and the Request for Notice (Form 400), and pays the filing fee.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The respondent is notified of the case and has the opportunity to file an Answer to Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 448). If the respondent does not respond, the Affidavit of Non-Military Service (Form 405) is required before a default judgment can be entered.
4. Complete Disclosures and Required Steps
If property division is involved, each party files the Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report (Form 465). When there are children under 18, additional forms apply, and Delaware requires divorcing parents to complete a Parent Education Program before the case can be finalized.
5. Hearing or Decision on the Papers
An uncontested divorce can be decided solely on submitted papers using the Request to Proceed without a Hearing (Form 446) and supporting Affidavit (Form 447), without a court appearance. A contested divorce is automatically scheduled for a hearing.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The court issues the final Decree of Divorce/Annulment. Copies are available from the Records Department for $4 (certified) or $1 (non-certified).
Delaware-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency: Either spouse must have resided in Delaware for at least six months immediately preceding filing, or have been stationed in Delaware as military for that period.
Property regime: Delaware is an equitable distribution state. This means marital property is divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always an equal 50/50 split.
Grounds and waiting period: Delaware's no-fault path requires that the parties be separated for at least six months before the court will proceed. Certain fault-based grounds — physical abuse, mental or psychological abuse, adultery, and desertion — can bypass the six-month separation requirement, but fault allegations must be proven.
Parent Education Program: All divorcing parents with children under 18 must complete an approved 6–8 hour Parent Education Program before the case can be finalized. This requirement applies to both the petitioner and the respondent. Parents with a domestic violence history must attend a separate domestic violence seminar.
Ancillary proceedings: Property division is handled as a separate "ancillary" track from the divorce itself, with its own financial disclosure forms (Form 465 and Form 466).
Melson Formula: Delaware calculates child support using the Melson Formula — not the more common Income Shares model — which makes its calculation distinctive among U.S. states.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Parent Education Program
Parents with children under 18 cannot finalize their case until both parties complete the required program. Overlooking it can stall everything.
Misunderstanding the Separation Requirement
The no-fault path requires a six-month separation before the court will proceed. Fault-based grounds can change that timeline, but they come with the burden of proving the allegations.
Treating Property Division as Automatic
Because property division runs on a separate ancillary track with its own disclosure forms, missing those forms can leave property issues unresolved even after the divorce is granted.
Filing Incomplete Starting Paperwork
The petition needs its companion forms — the Information Sheet, Vital Statistics Sheet, and Request for Notice — submitted together at filing. Missing pieces can lead to delays.
Assuming Forms Vary by County
Delaware's forms are standardized statewide, so there's no need to hunt for a county-specific version — but using an outdated form from an unofficial source can cause problems.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Delaware's forms are manageable once you know what each one does, but pulling the right set together for your situation still takes time and care. Divorce.com is built to make that part simpler — guiding you step by step so you can focus on moving forward rather than deciphering form numbers.
A guided questionnaire that helps identify the forms relevant to your situation
Plain-language explanations so you understand what you're completing
Paperwork prepared and organized for filing with the Delaware Family Court
A faster, less stressful alternative to sorting through dozens of forms alone
Support designed for uncontested divorces, where the process can move smoothly
Which Delaware Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Delaware publishes standardized forms through its single Family Court system, and they are not county-specific — the same form set applies statewide. The court lists roughly 72 divorce-related forms in total, but most people only encounter a core handful. The forms you'll use depend on your circumstances: whether you have children under 18, whether property needs to be divided, and whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. Below, the most commonly used forms are grouped by what they do.
Starting the Case
Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442)
The primary document filed by the petitioner to initiate divorce or annulment proceedings.
Information Sheet (Form 240)
A required cover sheet submitted along with the petition at filing.
Vital Statistics Sheet (Form 441) or Vital Statistics Same Sex Marriage (Form 441SS)
A vital statistics record required at filing; it captures demographic and marriage data for the state Office of Vital Statistics.
Request for Notice (Form 400)
A required form used to request court notice of case proceedings.
Responding to a Petition
Answer to Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 448)
The respondent's formal response to the divorce petition.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
In Delaware, property division is handled in a separate track known as "ancillary" proceedings. When property division is at issue, each party files financial disclosures on these forms.
Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report (Form 465)
A financial disclosure form filed by each party when property division (ancillary proceedings) is at issue.
Ancillary Pretrial Stipulation (Form 466)
Filed before an ancillary (property division) hearing to stipulate which facts are agreed and which are disputed.
Forms for Divorces With Children
When either party has children under 18, additional forms come into play. Note that custody and visitation forms are separate from the divorce forms themselves and are filed as part of ancillary or standalone custody proceedings.
Affidavit of Children's Rights (Form 279)
Required when either party has children under 18; it attests to awareness of children's rights in a divorce.
Child Support Calculation (Form 509) and Instructions (Form 509i)
The worksheet used to calculate a child support obligation under Delaware's Melson Formula. This is a worksheet rather than a simple numbered filing form, and the court also provides an online calculator.
Custody, Visitation and Guardianship Disclosure Report (Form 364)
A required factual disclosure submitted before custody mediation; it covers background information on the parties and children relevant to custody and visitation.
Petition for Custody (Form 345)
Filed to establish legal and/or physical custody when custody is contested or is not addressed in the divorce petition.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
When spouses reach agreement on key issues, these forms ask the court to recognize those arrangements.
Consent Order — Custody/Visitation (Form 349 / Form 349V)
Filed when the parties agree on custody and visitation arrangements.
Stipulation to Incorporate Separation Agreement (Form 443)
Used to ask the court to incorporate a private separation agreement into the divorce decree.
Finalizing Your Case
Request to Proceed without a Hearing (Form 446) and supporting Affidavit (Form 447)
Together, these allow an uncontested divorce to be decided on the papers alone, without a court appearance.
Affidavit of Non-Military Service (Form 405)
Certifies that the respondent is not on active military duty; it is required before a default judgment can be entered.
One thing to know: the final Decree of Divorce/Annulment is issued by the court — it is not a form the parties fill out. Certified copies cost $4 and non-certified copies cost $1 from the Records Department.
Where to Get Delaware Divorce Forms
Official State Courts Site
Delaware's Family Court publishes its divorce forms for free. You can download them directly from the official court forms page at courts.delaware.gov/family/divorce/forms.aspx. Because forms are standardized statewide, the same set applies in all three courthouse locations.
Family Court Locations
Delaware's Family Court operates in three locations — New Castle/Wilmington, Kent/Dover, and Sussex/Georgetown. Court staff can point you to the correct forms and explain filing logistics, though they cannot give legal advice. The filing fee at the time of research was $175 ($165 for the petition plus a $10 court security fee).
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
If cost is a concern, Delaware legal aid organizations and the court's self-help resources can help you understand the forms and may assist those who qualify. These services are a good option when you want guidance but aren't hiring a private attorney.
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you'd rather not sort through dozens of forms on your own, an online service can do the heavy lifting. Divorce.com guides you through a simple questionnaire and helps prepare the paperwork that fits your situation, so you spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, complex property division, or contested custody, working with a Delaware family law attorney can be the right fit. An attorney can prepare and review your documents and represent you in ancillary or custody proceedings.
The Delaware Divorce Process
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
Either spouse must have resided in Delaware for at least six months immediately preceding filing, or have been stationed in Delaware as military for that period.
2. File the Petition
The petitioner files the Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442) along with the Information Sheet (Form 240), the Vital Statistics Sheet (Form 441 or 441SS), and the Request for Notice (Form 400), and pays the filing fee.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The respondent is notified of the case and has the opportunity to file an Answer to Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 448). If the respondent does not respond, the Affidavit of Non-Military Service (Form 405) is required before a default judgment can be entered.
4. Complete Disclosures and Required Steps
If property division is involved, each party files the Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report (Form 465). When there are children under 18, additional forms apply, and Delaware requires divorcing parents to complete a Parent Education Program before the case can be finalized.
5. Hearing or Decision on the Papers
An uncontested divorce can be decided solely on submitted papers using the Request to Proceed without a Hearing (Form 446) and supporting Affidavit (Form 447), without a court appearance. A contested divorce is automatically scheduled for a hearing.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The court issues the final Decree of Divorce/Annulment. Copies are available from the Records Department for $4 (certified) or $1 (non-certified).
Delaware-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency: Either spouse must have resided in Delaware for at least six months immediately preceding filing, or have been stationed in Delaware as military for that period.
Property regime: Delaware is an equitable distribution state. This means marital property is divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always an equal 50/50 split.
Grounds and waiting period: Delaware's no-fault path requires that the parties be separated for at least six months before the court will proceed. Certain fault-based grounds — physical abuse, mental or psychological abuse, adultery, and desertion — can bypass the six-month separation requirement, but fault allegations must be proven.
Parent Education Program: All divorcing parents with children under 18 must complete an approved 6–8 hour Parent Education Program before the case can be finalized. This requirement applies to both the petitioner and the respondent. Parents with a domestic violence history must attend a separate domestic violence seminar.
Ancillary proceedings: Property division is handled as a separate "ancillary" track from the divorce itself, with its own financial disclosure forms (Form 465 and Form 466).
Melson Formula: Delaware calculates child support using the Melson Formula — not the more common Income Shares model — which makes its calculation distinctive among U.S. states.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Parent Education Program
Parents with children under 18 cannot finalize their case until both parties complete the required program. Overlooking it can stall everything.
Misunderstanding the Separation Requirement
The no-fault path requires a six-month separation before the court will proceed. Fault-based grounds can change that timeline, but they come with the burden of proving the allegations.
Treating Property Division as Automatic
Because property division runs on a separate ancillary track with its own disclosure forms, missing those forms can leave property issues unresolved even after the divorce is granted.
Filing Incomplete Starting Paperwork
The petition needs its companion forms — the Information Sheet, Vital Statistics Sheet, and Request for Notice — submitted together at filing. Missing pieces can lead to delays.
Assuming Forms Vary by County
Delaware's forms are standardized statewide, so there's no need to hunt for a county-specific version — but using an outdated form from an unofficial source can cause problems.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Delaware's forms are manageable once you know what each one does, but pulling the right set together for your situation still takes time and care. Divorce.com is built to make that part simpler — guiding you step by step so you can focus on moving forward rather than deciphering form numbers.
A guided questionnaire that helps identify the forms relevant to your situation
Plain-language explanations so you understand what you're completing
Paperwork prepared and organized for filing with the Delaware Family Court
A faster, less stressful alternative to sorting through dozens of forms alone
Support designed for uncontested divorces, where the process can move smoothly
Which Delaware Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Delaware publishes standardized forms through its single Family Court system, and they are not county-specific — the same form set applies statewide. The court lists roughly 72 divorce-related forms in total, but most people only encounter a core handful. The forms you'll use depend on your circumstances: whether you have children under 18, whether property needs to be divided, and whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. Below, the most commonly used forms are grouped by what they do.
Starting the Case
Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442)
The primary document filed by the petitioner to initiate divorce or annulment proceedings.
Information Sheet (Form 240)
A required cover sheet submitted along with the petition at filing.
Vital Statistics Sheet (Form 441) or Vital Statistics Same Sex Marriage (Form 441SS)
A vital statistics record required at filing; it captures demographic and marriage data for the state Office of Vital Statistics.
Request for Notice (Form 400)
A required form used to request court notice of case proceedings.
Responding to a Petition
Answer to Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 448)
The respondent's formal response to the divorce petition.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
In Delaware, property division is handled in a separate track known as "ancillary" proceedings. When property division is at issue, each party files financial disclosures on these forms.
Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report (Form 465)
A financial disclosure form filed by each party when property division (ancillary proceedings) is at issue.
Ancillary Pretrial Stipulation (Form 466)
Filed before an ancillary (property division) hearing to stipulate which facts are agreed and which are disputed.
Forms for Divorces With Children
When either party has children under 18, additional forms come into play. Note that custody and visitation forms are separate from the divorce forms themselves and are filed as part of ancillary or standalone custody proceedings.
Affidavit of Children's Rights (Form 279)
Required when either party has children under 18; it attests to awareness of children's rights in a divorce.
Child Support Calculation (Form 509) and Instructions (Form 509i)
The worksheet used to calculate a child support obligation under Delaware's Melson Formula. This is a worksheet rather than a simple numbered filing form, and the court also provides an online calculator.
Custody, Visitation and Guardianship Disclosure Report (Form 364)
A required factual disclosure submitted before custody mediation; it covers background information on the parties and children relevant to custody and visitation.
Petition for Custody (Form 345)
Filed to establish legal and/or physical custody when custody is contested or is not addressed in the divorce petition.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
When spouses reach agreement on key issues, these forms ask the court to recognize those arrangements.
Consent Order — Custody/Visitation (Form 349 / Form 349V)
Filed when the parties agree on custody and visitation arrangements.
Stipulation to Incorporate Separation Agreement (Form 443)
Used to ask the court to incorporate a private separation agreement into the divorce decree.
Finalizing Your Case
Request to Proceed without a Hearing (Form 446) and supporting Affidavit (Form 447)
Together, these allow an uncontested divorce to be decided on the papers alone, without a court appearance.
Affidavit of Non-Military Service (Form 405)
Certifies that the respondent is not on active military duty; it is required before a default judgment can be entered.
One thing to know: the final Decree of Divorce/Annulment is issued by the court — it is not a form the parties fill out. Certified copies cost $4 and non-certified copies cost $1 from the Records Department.
Where to Get Delaware Divorce Forms
Official State Courts Site
Delaware's Family Court publishes its divorce forms for free. You can download them directly from the official court forms page at courts.delaware.gov/family/divorce/forms.aspx. Because forms are standardized statewide, the same set applies in all three courthouse locations.
Family Court Locations
Delaware's Family Court operates in three locations — New Castle/Wilmington, Kent/Dover, and Sussex/Georgetown. Court staff can point you to the correct forms and explain filing logistics, though they cannot give legal advice. The filing fee at the time of research was $175 ($165 for the petition plus a $10 court security fee).
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
If cost is a concern, Delaware legal aid organizations and the court's self-help resources can help you understand the forms and may assist those who qualify. These services are a good option when you want guidance but aren't hiring a private attorney.
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you'd rather not sort through dozens of forms on your own, an online service can do the heavy lifting. Divorce.com guides you through a simple questionnaire and helps prepare the paperwork that fits your situation, so you spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, complex property division, or contested custody, working with a Delaware family law attorney can be the right fit. An attorney can prepare and review your documents and represent you in ancillary or custody proceedings.
The Delaware Divorce Process
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
Either spouse must have resided in Delaware for at least six months immediately preceding filing, or have been stationed in Delaware as military for that period.
2. File the Petition
The petitioner files the Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442) along with the Information Sheet (Form 240), the Vital Statistics Sheet (Form 441 or 441SS), and the Request for Notice (Form 400), and pays the filing fee.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The respondent is notified of the case and has the opportunity to file an Answer to Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 448). If the respondent does not respond, the Affidavit of Non-Military Service (Form 405) is required before a default judgment can be entered.
4. Complete Disclosures and Required Steps
If property division is involved, each party files the Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report (Form 465). When there are children under 18, additional forms apply, and Delaware requires divorcing parents to complete a Parent Education Program before the case can be finalized.
5. Hearing or Decision on the Papers
An uncontested divorce can be decided solely on submitted papers using the Request to Proceed without a Hearing (Form 446) and supporting Affidavit (Form 447), without a court appearance. A contested divorce is automatically scheduled for a hearing.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The court issues the final Decree of Divorce/Annulment. Copies are available from the Records Department for $4 (certified) or $1 (non-certified).
Delaware-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency: Either spouse must have resided in Delaware for at least six months immediately preceding filing, or have been stationed in Delaware as military for that period.
Property regime: Delaware is an equitable distribution state. This means marital property is divided in a way the court considers fair, which is not always an equal 50/50 split.
Grounds and waiting period: Delaware's no-fault path requires that the parties be separated for at least six months before the court will proceed. Certain fault-based grounds — physical abuse, mental or psychological abuse, adultery, and desertion — can bypass the six-month separation requirement, but fault allegations must be proven.
Parent Education Program: All divorcing parents with children under 18 must complete an approved 6–8 hour Parent Education Program before the case can be finalized. This requirement applies to both the petitioner and the respondent. Parents with a domestic violence history must attend a separate domestic violence seminar.
Ancillary proceedings: Property division is handled as a separate "ancillary" track from the divorce itself, with its own financial disclosure forms (Form 465 and Form 466).
Melson Formula: Delaware calculates child support using the Melson Formula — not the more common Income Shares model — which makes its calculation distinctive among U.S. states.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Parent Education Program
Parents with children under 18 cannot finalize their case until both parties complete the required program. Overlooking it can stall everything.
Misunderstanding the Separation Requirement
The no-fault path requires a six-month separation before the court will proceed. Fault-based grounds can change that timeline, but they come with the burden of proving the allegations.
Treating Property Division as Automatic
Because property division runs on a separate ancillary track with its own disclosure forms, missing those forms can leave property issues unresolved even after the divorce is granted.
Filing Incomplete Starting Paperwork
The petition needs its companion forms — the Information Sheet, Vital Statistics Sheet, and Request for Notice — submitted together at filing. Missing pieces can lead to delays.
Assuming Forms Vary by County
Delaware's forms are standardized statewide, so there's no need to hunt for a county-specific version — but using an outdated form from an unofficial source can cause problems.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Delaware's forms are manageable once you know what each one does, but pulling the right set together for your situation still takes time and care. Divorce.com is built to make that part simpler — guiding you step by step so you can focus on moving forward rather than deciphering form numbers.
A guided questionnaire that helps identify the forms relevant to your situation
Plain-language explanations so you understand what you're completing
Paperwork prepared and organized for filing with the Delaware Family Court
A faster, less stressful alternative to sorting through dozens of forms alone
Support designed for uncontested divorces, where the process can move smoothly
Going through a divorce in Delaware can feel overwhelming, especially when you're staring down a stack of court forms with unfamiliar numbers and legal-sounding names. The good news: Delaware uses one statewide Family Court system, so the same set of forms applies whether your case is in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), or Sussex (Georgetown). Once you understand what each document does, the path forward gets a lot clearer.
This guide walks you through the core Delaware divorce papers — what each one is for, where to find them, and how the process generally moves from filing to final decree. We've kept everything plain-language and informational, so you can feel oriented before you ever set foot in a courthouse.
A quick but important note: this page describes what these forms do and how Delaware's process generally works. It is not legal advice, and every situation is different. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney who can look at the full picture of your circumstances.
The Bottom Line
Delaware keeps things relatively streamlined by using one statewide Family Court system, with standardized forms that apply the same way in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), and Sussex (Georgetown). The core documents — from the Petition for Divorce/Annulment (Form 442) to the forms that let an uncontested case be decided on the papers — follow a clear sequence once you understand what each one does. Just remember the Delaware-specific pieces: the six-month residency rule, equitable distribution of property, the six-month separation for a no-fault divorce, the mandatory Parent Education Program for parents of minor children, and the Melson Formula for child support.
You can download every form for free from Delaware's official Family Court forms page at courts.delaware.gov/family/divorce/forms.aspx. If you'd rather have the paperwork prepared for you with step-by-step guidance, Divorce.com can help you get started.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Every divorce is different, and for advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney who can review the details of your case.
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