SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE
Minnesota Divorce Papers
Starting a divorce in Minnesota can feel overwhelming, especially when you're staring at a list of court forms with names like "DIV802" and "FAM108" and trying to figure out which ones actually apply to you. Take a breath. This guide is here to walk you through it in plain language.
Minnesota calls divorce a "dissolution of marriage," and the good news is that the state uses standardized, statewide forms published by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. That means the core paperwork is the same whether you file in Hennepin, Ramsey, St. Louis, or any other county. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the most common Minnesota divorce forms, where to get them, how the process generally works, and the state-specific rules worth understanding before you begin.
One thing to keep in mind: Minnesota offers three different procedural paths depending on your situation, and the forms you encounter will depend on which path fits. We'll explain how those paths differ so the form list makes sense in context.
This page is informational only. It describes what each form does and how the process generally works in Minnesota. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Which Minnesota Divorce Forms Will You Need?
The forms you'll use depend on your path and whether you have minor children. Minnesota offers three routes: a Summary Dissolution for couples who meet strict eligibility limits, a Joint Petition for spouses who agree on everything from the start, and a Contested Petition where one spouse files and the other is served and may respond. Here are the standardized statewide forms organized by what they do. Not every case uses every form.
Starting the Case
DIV202 – Summary Dissolution Form
A simplified, combined petition-and-decree for couples who qualify: married less than 8 years, no real estate, total debts under $8,000, total marital assets under $25,000 (including net equity on automobiles), no nonmarital assets over $25,000 per party, and no domestic abuse. This is the fastest path when all the eligibility caps are met. The court administrator enters the decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed.
DIV302 – Joint Petition and Decree Without Children
A combined petition and final decree used when spouses agree on all terms at the outset and have no minor children.
DIV402 – Petition for Dissolution Without Children
The petition used to start a divorce when there are no minor children, including contested cases or those filed by one spouse.
DIV403 – Summons
The summons served on the respondent spouse in dissolution cases without minor children.
DIV802 – Petition for Divorce with Children
The petition used to start a divorce when the couple has minor children together.
DIV803 – Combined Summons
The summons served on the respondent in dissolution cases with children; it also serves to notify the public authority.
DIV1702 – Joint Petition for Marriage Dissolution With Children
A combined joint petition for spouses who agree on all terms and have minor children.
Responding to a Petition
DIV502 – Answer and Counter Petition Without Children
The respondent's answer to a divorce petition, with an optional counter-petition, when no minor children are involved.
DIV902 – Answer and Counter Petition (with Children)
The respondent's answer, with an optional counter-petition, in a dissolution involving minor children.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
FAM102 – Financial Affidavit
A detailed disclosure of income, expenses, assets, and debts. This form is used in spousal maintenance disputes and modifications.
FAM108 – Parenting / Financial Disclosure Statement
Background financial and parenting information provided to the court in cases involving minor children. It is used with temporary relief motions and in final proceedings, and it is the primary financial disclosure used in dissolution cases with children.
A note on child support: Minnesota does not have a single numbered court form that sets child support. Instead, child support is calculated using the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator, hosted by the Department of Human Services at childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us. The resulting worksheet is then filed with the court.
Forms for Divorces With Children
DIV1002 – Notice of Hearing and Motion for Temporary Relief with Children
A motion for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, or property orders while the divorce is pending in cases with children.
DIV1003 – Affidavit in Support of Motion for Temporary Relief with Children
The supporting affidavit describing the facts behind a temporary relief request in cases with children.
Settlement or Agreement Forms
DIV806 – Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment, Judgment and Decree (with Children)
The final agreed divorce decree that incorporates all custody, parenting time, child support, and property terms when parties reach a settlement in a case with children.
DIV406 – Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment, Judgment and Decree (without Children)
The final agreed divorce decree used in cases without minor children when the parties have settled.
Finalizing Your Case (the Decree)
DIV807 – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree (with Children, contested)
The final divorce decree issued by the court after a contested hearing in cases involving minor children.
DIV407 – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree (without Children, contested)
The final divorce decree after a contested hearing in cases without minor children.
DIV103 – Certificate of Dissolution
A vital-records certificate filed with the state upon entry of the decree. It is required in all dissolution cases.
Where to Get Minnesota Divorce Forms
You have several options for getting the right paperwork, from free official sources to fully guided online help.
Official Minnesota Courts Website
The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes all of the standardized statewide divorce forms for free. You can download them at mncourts.gov/getforms/divorce-dissolution. Because Minnesota's forms are statewide rather than county-specific, the same forms are used across all counties. The Judicial Branch also offers a free online tool called Minnesota Guide and File, which walks self-represented filers through an interview and generates the correct forms for their path.
County Court Administrator
You file your forms with the district court in the county where either spouse resides. The local court administrator's office can tell you about filing fees, copies, and local procedures. Forms themselves are standardized statewide, so you won't need a different version depending on the county.
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
Minnesota has self-help resources and legal aid organizations that can help people who are representing themselves understand the forms and the process. The Guide and File tool mentioned above is one of the most useful free starting points.
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you'd rather not navigate the form packets alone, Divorce.com offers a guided online experience that helps you assemble the paperwork that fits your situation. It's designed to take the guesswork out of which forms go together so you can move forward with more confidence.
Hire an Attorney
For complicated finances, custody disputes, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, an attorney can prepare and review your paperwork and represent you. For advice on your specific situation, consulting an attorney is always an option worth considering.
The Minnesota Divorce Process
Every case is different, but most Minnesota dissolutions follow a similar arc. Here's a general overview of the steps.
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for a minimum of 180 days before filing. Active-duty armed forces members stationed in Minnesota also qualify. The case is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides.
2. File the Petition
The case begins with a petition. Couples who agree on everything may use a joint petition (such as DIV302 or DIV1702), couples who qualify for the simplified path may use the Summary Dissolution (DIV202), and in other situations one spouse files a petition (DIV402 or DIV802) to start the case.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
In cases that aren't filed jointly, the respondent spouse is served with a summons (DIV403 without children, or DIV803 with children). The respondent may then file an answer and optional counter-petition (DIV502 or DIV902).
4. Exchange Disclosures
The court relies on financial and parenting information. FAM108 is the primary disclosure used in cases with children, and FAM102 (Financial Affidavit) is used in spousal maintenance disputes. Child support figures come from the DHS Guidelines Calculator worksheet, which is filed with the court.
5. Temporary Relief, Parenting Education & Timing
While the case is pending, a party may request temporary orders (for example, DIV1002 and DIV1003 in cases with children). When parents do not agree on custody or parenting time, Minnesota requires a parenting education class under Minn. Stat. § 518.157; it must begin within 30 days of the first filing and before the Initial Case Management Conference, and the court may also order children to attend. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed; in other dissolution paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The divorce becomes final when the decree is entered. Agreed cases use a stipulated decree (DIV406 or DIV806), and contested cases that go to a hearing use DIV407 or DIV807. A Certificate of Dissolution (DIV103) is filed with the state in all cases. You can request certified copies of your decree for changing names, updating records, and other purposes.
Minnesota-Specific Requirements You Should Know
A few rules set Minnesota apart, and understanding them up front can save confusion later.
Residency: At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days before filing. Active-duty service members stationed in Minnesota also qualify.
Property division: Minnesota is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly, which is not always the same as a strict 50/50 split.
Grounds (no-fault): Minnesota is a purely no-fault state. The sole ground for divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship (Minn. Stat. § 518.06). Fault-based defenses such as condonation, recrimination, and insanity have been expressly abolished, and no fault grounds exist.
Waiting period (Summary Dissolution): Under Minn. Stat. § 518.195, the court administrator enters the Summary Dissolution decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed, provided all eligibility requirements are met. Other dissolution paths do not carry this same 30-day administrative minimum; timing in those cases depends on the procedural track and the court's schedule. In all paths, you are not divorced until the decree is actually entered.
Three procedural paths: Summary Dissolution (DIV202) is the fastest but carries strict eligibility caps; the Joint Petition path is for spouses who agree on all terms at filing; and the Contested Petition path applies when one spouse files and the other is served and may respond.
No covenant marriage: Minnesota does not offer covenant marriage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming you qualify for Summary Dissolution
The DIV202 Summary Dissolution has strict caps: married less than 8 years, no real estate, debts under $8,000, total marital assets under $25,000, no nonmarital assets over $25,000 per party, and no domestic abuse. Many couples assume they qualify when one of those limits actually rules them out.
Using the wrong forms for your situation
Forms differ based on whether you have minor children and whether you're filing jointly or contested. Mixing a "without children" form into a case with children, or vice versa, is a common slip. The free Guide and File tool can help match forms to your path.
Forgetting the child support worksheet
Because there is no single numbered court form for child support, some filers overlook it. Child support comes from the DHS online Guidelines Calculator, and the resulting worksheet must be filed with the court in cases involving children.
Missing the parenting education deadline
When parents don't agree on custody or parenting time, the required parenting education class must begin within 30 days of the first filing and before the Initial Case Management Conference.
Thinking the divorce is final at filing
You are not divorced until the decree is entered. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after filing if all requirements are met. In other paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Sorting through Minnesota's three paths, two-sided form sets, and the child support worksheet can be a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is built to make that easier by guiding you through a straightforward online process and helping you assemble paperwork that fits your circumstances, so you can spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
A guided, plain-language experience instead of a stack of confusing forms
Help identifying which path and forms fit your situation
A smoother way to organize your documents before filing
Support designed to reduce errors and back-and-forth
An affordable alternative for couples who largely agree on terms
Which Minnesota Divorce Forms Will You Need?
The forms you'll use depend on your path and whether you have minor children. Minnesota offers three routes: a Summary Dissolution for couples who meet strict eligibility limits, a Joint Petition for spouses who agree on everything from the start, and a Contested Petition where one spouse files and the other is served and may respond. Here are the standardized statewide forms organized by what they do. Not every case uses every form.
Starting the Case
DIV202 – Summary Dissolution Form
A simplified, combined petition-and-decree for couples who qualify: married less than 8 years, no real estate, total debts under $8,000, total marital assets under $25,000 (including net equity on automobiles), no nonmarital assets over $25,000 per party, and no domestic abuse. This is the fastest path when all the eligibility caps are met. The court administrator enters the decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed.
DIV302 – Joint Petition and Decree Without Children
A combined petition and final decree used when spouses agree on all terms at the outset and have no minor children.
DIV402 – Petition for Dissolution Without Children
The petition used to start a divorce when there are no minor children, including contested cases or those filed by one spouse.
DIV403 – Summons
The summons served on the respondent spouse in dissolution cases without minor children.
DIV802 – Petition for Divorce with Children
The petition used to start a divorce when the couple has minor children together.
DIV803 – Combined Summons
The summons served on the respondent in dissolution cases with children; it also serves to notify the public authority.
DIV1702 – Joint Petition for Marriage Dissolution With Children
A combined joint petition for spouses who agree on all terms and have minor children.
Responding to a Petition
DIV502 – Answer and Counter Petition Without Children
The respondent's answer to a divorce petition, with an optional counter-petition, when no minor children are involved.
DIV902 – Answer and Counter Petition (with Children)
The respondent's answer, with an optional counter-petition, in a dissolution involving minor children.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
FAM102 – Financial Affidavit
A detailed disclosure of income, expenses, assets, and debts. This form is used in spousal maintenance disputes and modifications.
FAM108 – Parenting / Financial Disclosure Statement
Background financial and parenting information provided to the court in cases involving minor children. It is used with temporary relief motions and in final proceedings, and it is the primary financial disclosure used in dissolution cases with children.
A note on child support: Minnesota does not have a single numbered court form that sets child support. Instead, child support is calculated using the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator, hosted by the Department of Human Services at childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us. The resulting worksheet is then filed with the court.
Forms for Divorces With Children
DIV1002 – Notice of Hearing and Motion for Temporary Relief with Children
A motion for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, or property orders while the divorce is pending in cases with children.
DIV1003 – Affidavit in Support of Motion for Temporary Relief with Children
The supporting affidavit describing the facts behind a temporary relief request in cases with children.
Settlement or Agreement Forms
DIV806 – Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment, Judgment and Decree (with Children)
The final agreed divorce decree that incorporates all custody, parenting time, child support, and property terms when parties reach a settlement in a case with children.
DIV406 – Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment, Judgment and Decree (without Children)
The final agreed divorce decree used in cases without minor children when the parties have settled.
Finalizing Your Case (the Decree)
DIV807 – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree (with Children, contested)
The final divorce decree issued by the court after a contested hearing in cases involving minor children.
DIV407 – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree (without Children, contested)
The final divorce decree after a contested hearing in cases without minor children.
DIV103 – Certificate of Dissolution
A vital-records certificate filed with the state upon entry of the decree. It is required in all dissolution cases.
Where to Get Minnesota Divorce Forms
You have several options for getting the right paperwork, from free official sources to fully guided online help.
Official Minnesota Courts Website
The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes all of the standardized statewide divorce forms for free. You can download them at mncourts.gov/getforms/divorce-dissolution. Because Minnesota's forms are statewide rather than county-specific, the same forms are used across all counties. The Judicial Branch also offers a free online tool called Minnesota Guide and File, which walks self-represented filers through an interview and generates the correct forms for their path.
County Court Administrator
You file your forms with the district court in the county where either spouse resides. The local court administrator's office can tell you about filing fees, copies, and local procedures. Forms themselves are standardized statewide, so you won't need a different version depending on the county.
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
Minnesota has self-help resources and legal aid organizations that can help people who are representing themselves understand the forms and the process. The Guide and File tool mentioned above is one of the most useful free starting points.
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you'd rather not navigate the form packets alone, Divorce.com offers a guided online experience that helps you assemble the paperwork that fits your situation. It's designed to take the guesswork out of which forms go together so you can move forward with more confidence.
Hire an Attorney
For complicated finances, custody disputes, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, an attorney can prepare and review your paperwork and represent you. For advice on your specific situation, consulting an attorney is always an option worth considering.
The Minnesota Divorce Process
Every case is different, but most Minnesota dissolutions follow a similar arc. Here's a general overview of the steps.
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for a minimum of 180 days before filing. Active-duty armed forces members stationed in Minnesota also qualify. The case is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides.
2. File the Petition
The case begins with a petition. Couples who agree on everything may use a joint petition (such as DIV302 or DIV1702), couples who qualify for the simplified path may use the Summary Dissolution (DIV202), and in other situations one spouse files a petition (DIV402 or DIV802) to start the case.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
In cases that aren't filed jointly, the respondent spouse is served with a summons (DIV403 without children, or DIV803 with children). The respondent may then file an answer and optional counter-petition (DIV502 or DIV902).
4. Exchange Disclosures
The court relies on financial and parenting information. FAM108 is the primary disclosure used in cases with children, and FAM102 (Financial Affidavit) is used in spousal maintenance disputes. Child support figures come from the DHS Guidelines Calculator worksheet, which is filed with the court.
5. Temporary Relief, Parenting Education & Timing
While the case is pending, a party may request temporary orders (for example, DIV1002 and DIV1003 in cases with children). When parents do not agree on custody or parenting time, Minnesota requires a parenting education class under Minn. Stat. § 518.157; it must begin within 30 days of the first filing and before the Initial Case Management Conference, and the court may also order children to attend. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed; in other dissolution paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The divorce becomes final when the decree is entered. Agreed cases use a stipulated decree (DIV406 or DIV806), and contested cases that go to a hearing use DIV407 or DIV807. A Certificate of Dissolution (DIV103) is filed with the state in all cases. You can request certified copies of your decree for changing names, updating records, and other purposes.
Minnesota-Specific Requirements You Should Know
A few rules set Minnesota apart, and understanding them up front can save confusion later.
Residency: At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days before filing. Active-duty service members stationed in Minnesota also qualify.
Property division: Minnesota is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly, which is not always the same as a strict 50/50 split.
Grounds (no-fault): Minnesota is a purely no-fault state. The sole ground for divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship (Minn. Stat. § 518.06). Fault-based defenses such as condonation, recrimination, and insanity have been expressly abolished, and no fault grounds exist.
Waiting period (Summary Dissolution): Under Minn. Stat. § 518.195, the court administrator enters the Summary Dissolution decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed, provided all eligibility requirements are met. Other dissolution paths do not carry this same 30-day administrative minimum; timing in those cases depends on the procedural track and the court's schedule. In all paths, you are not divorced until the decree is actually entered.
Three procedural paths: Summary Dissolution (DIV202) is the fastest but carries strict eligibility caps; the Joint Petition path is for spouses who agree on all terms at filing; and the Contested Petition path applies when one spouse files and the other is served and may respond.
No covenant marriage: Minnesota does not offer covenant marriage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming you qualify for Summary Dissolution
The DIV202 Summary Dissolution has strict caps: married less than 8 years, no real estate, debts under $8,000, total marital assets under $25,000, no nonmarital assets over $25,000 per party, and no domestic abuse. Many couples assume they qualify when one of those limits actually rules them out.
Using the wrong forms for your situation
Forms differ based on whether you have minor children and whether you're filing jointly or contested. Mixing a "without children" form into a case with children, or vice versa, is a common slip. The free Guide and File tool can help match forms to your path.
Forgetting the child support worksheet
Because there is no single numbered court form for child support, some filers overlook it. Child support comes from the DHS online Guidelines Calculator, and the resulting worksheet must be filed with the court in cases involving children.
Missing the parenting education deadline
When parents don't agree on custody or parenting time, the required parenting education class must begin within 30 days of the first filing and before the Initial Case Management Conference.
Thinking the divorce is final at filing
You are not divorced until the decree is entered. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after filing if all requirements are met. In other paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Sorting through Minnesota's three paths, two-sided form sets, and the child support worksheet can be a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is built to make that easier by guiding you through a straightforward online process and helping you assemble paperwork that fits your circumstances, so you can spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
A guided, plain-language experience instead of a stack of confusing forms
Help identifying which path and forms fit your situation
A smoother way to organize your documents before filing
Support designed to reduce errors and back-and-forth
An affordable alternative for couples who largely agree on terms
Which Minnesota Divorce Forms Will You Need?
The forms you'll use depend on your path and whether you have minor children. Minnesota offers three routes: a Summary Dissolution for couples who meet strict eligibility limits, a Joint Petition for spouses who agree on everything from the start, and a Contested Petition where one spouse files and the other is served and may respond. Here are the standardized statewide forms organized by what they do. Not every case uses every form.
Starting the Case
DIV202 – Summary Dissolution Form
A simplified, combined petition-and-decree for couples who qualify: married less than 8 years, no real estate, total debts under $8,000, total marital assets under $25,000 (including net equity on automobiles), no nonmarital assets over $25,000 per party, and no domestic abuse. This is the fastest path when all the eligibility caps are met. The court administrator enters the decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed.
DIV302 – Joint Petition and Decree Without Children
A combined petition and final decree used when spouses agree on all terms at the outset and have no minor children.
DIV402 – Petition for Dissolution Without Children
The petition used to start a divorce when there are no minor children, including contested cases or those filed by one spouse.
DIV403 – Summons
The summons served on the respondent spouse in dissolution cases without minor children.
DIV802 – Petition for Divorce with Children
The petition used to start a divorce when the couple has minor children together.
DIV803 – Combined Summons
The summons served on the respondent in dissolution cases with children; it also serves to notify the public authority.
DIV1702 – Joint Petition for Marriage Dissolution With Children
A combined joint petition for spouses who agree on all terms and have minor children.
Responding to a Petition
DIV502 – Answer and Counter Petition Without Children
The respondent's answer to a divorce petition, with an optional counter-petition, when no minor children are involved.
DIV902 – Answer and Counter Petition (with Children)
The respondent's answer, with an optional counter-petition, in a dissolution involving minor children.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
FAM102 – Financial Affidavit
A detailed disclosure of income, expenses, assets, and debts. This form is used in spousal maintenance disputes and modifications.
FAM108 – Parenting / Financial Disclosure Statement
Background financial and parenting information provided to the court in cases involving minor children. It is used with temporary relief motions and in final proceedings, and it is the primary financial disclosure used in dissolution cases with children.
A note on child support: Minnesota does not have a single numbered court form that sets child support. Instead, child support is calculated using the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator, hosted by the Department of Human Services at childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us. The resulting worksheet is then filed with the court.
Forms for Divorces With Children
DIV1002 – Notice of Hearing and Motion for Temporary Relief with Children
A motion for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, or property orders while the divorce is pending in cases with children.
DIV1003 – Affidavit in Support of Motion for Temporary Relief with Children
The supporting affidavit describing the facts behind a temporary relief request in cases with children.
Settlement or Agreement Forms
DIV806 – Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment, Judgment and Decree (with Children)
The final agreed divorce decree that incorporates all custody, parenting time, child support, and property terms when parties reach a settlement in a case with children.
DIV406 – Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment, Judgment and Decree (without Children)
The final agreed divorce decree used in cases without minor children when the parties have settled.
Finalizing Your Case (the Decree)
DIV807 – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree (with Children, contested)
The final divorce decree issued by the court after a contested hearing in cases involving minor children.
DIV407 – Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree (without Children, contested)
The final divorce decree after a contested hearing in cases without minor children.
DIV103 – Certificate of Dissolution
A vital-records certificate filed with the state upon entry of the decree. It is required in all dissolution cases.
Where to Get Minnesota Divorce Forms
You have several options for getting the right paperwork, from free official sources to fully guided online help.
Official Minnesota Courts Website
The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes all of the standardized statewide divorce forms for free. You can download them at mncourts.gov/getforms/divorce-dissolution. Because Minnesota's forms are statewide rather than county-specific, the same forms are used across all counties. The Judicial Branch also offers a free online tool called Minnesota Guide and File, which walks self-represented filers through an interview and generates the correct forms for their path.
County Court Administrator
You file your forms with the district court in the county where either spouse resides. The local court administrator's office can tell you about filing fees, copies, and local procedures. Forms themselves are standardized statewide, so you won't need a different version depending on the county.
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
Minnesota has self-help resources and legal aid organizations that can help people who are representing themselves understand the forms and the process. The Guide and File tool mentioned above is one of the most useful free starting points.
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you'd rather not navigate the form packets alone, Divorce.com offers a guided online experience that helps you assemble the paperwork that fits your situation. It's designed to take the guesswork out of which forms go together so you can move forward with more confidence.
Hire an Attorney
For complicated finances, custody disputes, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, an attorney can prepare and review your paperwork and represent you. For advice on your specific situation, consulting an attorney is always an option worth considering.
The Minnesota Divorce Process
Every case is different, but most Minnesota dissolutions follow a similar arc. Here's a general overview of the steps.
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for a minimum of 180 days before filing. Active-duty armed forces members stationed in Minnesota also qualify. The case is filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides.
2. File the Petition
The case begins with a petition. Couples who agree on everything may use a joint petition (such as DIV302 or DIV1702), couples who qualify for the simplified path may use the Summary Dissolution (DIV202), and in other situations one spouse files a petition (DIV402 or DIV802) to start the case.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
In cases that aren't filed jointly, the respondent spouse is served with a summons (DIV403 without children, or DIV803 with children). The respondent may then file an answer and optional counter-petition (DIV502 or DIV902).
4. Exchange Disclosures
The court relies on financial and parenting information. FAM108 is the primary disclosure used in cases with children, and FAM102 (Financial Affidavit) is used in spousal maintenance disputes. Child support figures come from the DHS Guidelines Calculator worksheet, which is filed with the court.
5. Temporary Relief, Parenting Education & Timing
While the case is pending, a party may request temporary orders (for example, DIV1002 and DIV1003 in cases with children). When parents do not agree on custody or parenting time, Minnesota requires a parenting education class under Minn. Stat. § 518.157; it must begin within 30 days of the first filing and before the Initial Case Management Conference, and the court may also order children to attend. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed; in other dissolution paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling.
6. Decree & Certified Copies
The divorce becomes final when the decree is entered. Agreed cases use a stipulated decree (DIV406 or DIV806), and contested cases that go to a hearing use DIV407 or DIV807. A Certificate of Dissolution (DIV103) is filed with the state in all cases. You can request certified copies of your decree for changing names, updating records, and other purposes.
Minnesota-Specific Requirements You Should Know
A few rules set Minnesota apart, and understanding them up front can save confusion later.
Residency: At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days before filing. Active-duty service members stationed in Minnesota also qualify.
Property division: Minnesota is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly, which is not always the same as a strict 50/50 split.
Grounds (no-fault): Minnesota is a purely no-fault state. The sole ground for divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship (Minn. Stat. § 518.06). Fault-based defenses such as condonation, recrimination, and insanity have been expressly abolished, and no fault grounds exist.
Waiting period (Summary Dissolution): Under Minn. Stat. § 518.195, the court administrator enters the Summary Dissolution decree 30 days after the joint declaration is filed, provided all eligibility requirements are met. Other dissolution paths do not carry this same 30-day administrative minimum; timing in those cases depends on the procedural track and the court's schedule. In all paths, you are not divorced until the decree is actually entered.
Three procedural paths: Summary Dissolution (DIV202) is the fastest but carries strict eligibility caps; the Joint Petition path is for spouses who agree on all terms at filing; and the Contested Petition path applies when one spouse files and the other is served and may respond.
No covenant marriage: Minnesota does not offer covenant marriage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming you qualify for Summary Dissolution
The DIV202 Summary Dissolution has strict caps: married less than 8 years, no real estate, debts under $8,000, total marital assets under $25,000, no nonmarital assets over $25,000 per party, and no domestic abuse. Many couples assume they qualify when one of those limits actually rules them out.
Using the wrong forms for your situation
Forms differ based on whether you have minor children and whether you're filing jointly or contested. Mixing a "without children" form into a case with children, or vice versa, is a common slip. The free Guide and File tool can help match forms to your path.
Forgetting the child support worksheet
Because there is no single numbered court form for child support, some filers overlook it. Child support comes from the DHS online Guidelines Calculator, and the resulting worksheet must be filed with the court in cases involving children.
Missing the parenting education deadline
When parents don't agree on custody or parenting time, the required parenting education class must begin within 30 days of the first filing and before the Initial Case Management Conference.
Thinking the divorce is final at filing
You are not divorced until the decree is entered. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after filing if all requirements are met. In other paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Sorting through Minnesota's three paths, two-sided form sets, and the child support worksheet can be a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is built to make that easier by guiding you through a straightforward online process and helping you assemble paperwork that fits your circumstances, so you can spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
A guided, plain-language experience instead of a stack of confusing forms
Help identifying which path and forms fit your situation
A smoother way to organize your documents before filing
Support designed to reduce errors and back-and-forth
An affordable alternative for couples who largely agree on terms
Starting a divorce in Minnesota can feel overwhelming, especially when you're staring at a list of court forms with names like "DIV802" and "FAM108" and trying to figure out which ones actually apply to you. Take a breath. This guide is here to walk you through it in plain language.
Minnesota calls divorce a "dissolution of marriage," and the good news is that the state uses standardized, statewide forms published by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. That means the core paperwork is the same whether you file in Hennepin, Ramsey, St. Louis, or any other county. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the most common Minnesota divorce forms, where to get them, how the process generally works, and the state-specific rules worth understanding before you begin.
One thing to keep in mind: Minnesota offers three different procedural paths depending on your situation, and the forms you encounter will depend on which path fits. We'll explain how those paths differ so the form list makes sense in context.
This page is informational only. It describes what each form does and how the process generally works in Minnesota. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Bottom Line
Minnesota uses standardized, statewide divorce forms published by the Minnesota Judicial Branch, so the core paperwork is the same whether you live in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, or Bloomington. Which forms you use depends on your path (Summary Dissolution, Joint Petition, or Contested Petition) and whether you have minor children. Remember the key rules: a 180-day residency requirement, no-fault grounds only, and equitable distribution of property. In a Summary Dissolution, the court administrator enters the decree 30 days after filing; in other paths, timing depends on the procedural track and court scheduling. In all cases, you are not divorced until the decree is entered.
You can download every official form for free at the Minnesota Judicial Branch's site, mncourts.gov/getforms/divorce-dissolution, and the free Guide and File tool can help match forms to your situation. If you'd prefer a guided, plain-language experience, Divorce.com can help you assemble the right paperwork and move forward with more confidence.
This guide is informational and describes how the Minnesota process generally works. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
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