{"id":351747,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/divorce-residency-faq-s.html"},"modified":"2023-06-26T11:38:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T16:38:29","slug":"divorce-residency-faq-s","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/divorce-residency-faq-s.html","title":{"rendered":"Divorce Residency FAQ’s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Divorce Residency FAQ's<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Most states have a residency requirement couples must meet before they can commence the divorce process.  This requirement represents the minimum amount of time they must live in the state before they can file.  This length of time varies depending on a state’s divorce laws.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The court that handles the initial divorce settlement<\/a> will have jurisdiction<\/a> over all other issues. These include child custody, child support, and any amendments to these arrangements.
\r\n<\/p>\r\n

The chart below provides the required duration of divorce residency. We also answer your divorce residency FAQs.<\/p>\r\n

Explore the residency rules in your state to get started. But the rules in your area may be more complicated. For help understanding how these requirements impact your situation, it may help to speak with an attorney.<\/p>\r\n

Divorce Residency Requirement by State<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

State<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Residency requirement(s); Statute<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Alabama<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Alabama Code Title 30. Marital and Domestic Relations \u00a7 30-2-5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Alaska<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

No time requirement if the filing spouse is a resident and intends to stay; Alaska Statutes Title 25. Marital and Domestic Relations \u00a7 25.24.080<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Arizona<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

90 days; Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25. Marital and Domestic Relations \u00a7 25-312<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Arkansas<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

60 days; Arkansas Code Title 9. Family Law \u00a7 9-12-307<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

California<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months in the state, three months in the county; California Family Code – FAM \u00a7 2320<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Colorado<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

91 days; Colorado Revised Statutes Title 14. Domestic Matters \u00a7 14-10-106<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

One party has lived in the state for 12 months, or one party lived there at the time of marriage and returns before filing a divorce complaint, or the cause for divorce arose after one party moved to Connecticut; Connecticut General Statutes Title 46B. Family Law \u00a7 46b-44<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Delaware<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Delaware Code Title 13. Domestic Relations \u00a7 1504<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

District of Columbia<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months and the parties must be separated without cohabitation for six months if the separation is agreed upon; One-year separation without cohabitation if only one party agrees; District of Columbia Code Division II. Judiciary and Judicial Procedure \u00a7 16-902<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Florida<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Florida Statutes Title VI. Civil Practice and Procedure \u00a7 61.021<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Georgia<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; a non-resident can file within the state if the other party has lived there for six months; Georgia Code Title 19. Domestic Relations \u00a7 19-5-2<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Hawaii<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Three months; Hawaii Revised Statutes Division 3. Property; Family \u00a7 580-1<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Idaho<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six full weeks; Idaho Statutes Title 32. Domestic Relations \u00a7 32-701<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Illinois<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

90 days; Illinois Statutes Chapter 750. Families \u00a7 5\/401<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Indiana<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months in the state and three months in the county; Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law \u00a7 31-15-2-6<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Iowa<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

12 months or one year; Iowa Code Title XV. Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures [Chs. 595-686] \u00a7 598.5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Kansas<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

60 days; Kansas Statutes Chapter 23. Kansas Family Law Code-Revised \u00a7 23-2703<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Kentucky<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

180 days; Kentucky Revised Statutes Title XXXV. Domestic Relations \u00a7 403.140<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Louisiana<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Tit. I, Art. 10<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Maine<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A. Domestic Relations \u00a7 901<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Maryland<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Maryland Code, Family Law \u00a7 7-101<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Massachusetts<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

12 months or one year; Massachusetts General Laws Part II. Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations (Ch. 183-210) Ch. 208, \u00a7 5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Michigan<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

180 days; Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 552. Divorce \u00a7 552.9<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Minnesota<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

180 Days; Minnesota Statutes Domestic Relations (Ch. 517-519A) \u00a7 518.07<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Mississippi<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Mississippi Code Title 93. Domestic Relations \u00a7 93-5-5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Missouri<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

90 days; Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXX. Domestic Relations \u00a7 452.305<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Montana<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

90 days; Montana Title 40. Family Law \u00a7 40-4-104<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Nebraska<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

One year; Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 42. Households and Families \u00a7 42-349<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Nevada<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six weeks; Nevada Revised Statutes Title 11. Domestic Relations \u00a7 125.020<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

New Hampshire<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

One year; New Hampshire Statutes, Annulment, Divorce and Separation, Section: 458:5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

New Jersey<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

One year, unless adultery is listed as the cause for the divorce, there is no minimum time requirement. New Jersey Statutes Title 2A. Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice 2A \u00a7 34-10<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

New Mexico<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; New Mexico Statutes Chapter 40. Domestic Affairs \u00a7 40-4-5<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

New York<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

No minimum residency if both parties live in the state and the cause for divorce happened in the state; for one spouse in the state, one year, and if married in New York or both parties lived in the state during the marriage or the cause for divorce happened in the state; two years for one spouse who does not meet the other requirements. New York Consolidated Laws, Domestic Relations Law – DOM \u00a7 230<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

North Carolina<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months in the state, and the parties have been separated and living apart for one year; North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 50. Divorce and Alimony \u00a7 50-6<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

North Dakota<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; North Dakota Century Code Title 14. Domestic Relations and Persons \u00a7 14-05-17<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Ohio<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Ohio Revised Code Title XXXI. Domestic Relations Children \u00a7 3105.03<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Oklahoma<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Oklahoma Statutes Citationized Title 43. Marriage, Divorce and Alimony, Section 102<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Oregon<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months for either party if you were not married in the state. There is no minimum requirement if you were married in the state and still reside there. Oregon Revised Statutes Domestic Relations \u00a7 107.075<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Pennsylvania<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months for either party; Pennsylvania Statutes Title 23 Pa.C.S.A. Domestic Relations \u00a7 3104<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Rhode Island<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

12 months or one year; Rhode Island General Laws Title 15. Domestic Relations \u00a7 15-5-12<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

South Carolina<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Three months if both parties reside in the state; one year if one party resides; South Carolina Code of Laws Title 20 – Domestic Relations \u00a7 20-3-30<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

South Dakota<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Resident when action is commenced; South Dakota Codified Laws Title 25 – Domestic Relations Chapter 04 – Divorce and Separate Maintenance \u00a7 25-4-30<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Tennessee<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Tennessee Code Title 36. Domestic Relations \u00a7 36-4-104<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Texas<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months in the state, 90 days in the county; Texas Family Code – FAM \u00a7 6.301<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Utah<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Three months; Utah Code Title 30. Husband and Wife \u00a7 30-3-1<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Vermont<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months to file, but divorce will not be finalized until one party has resided for one year; Vermont Statutes Title 15. Domestic Relations, \u00a7 592<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Virginia<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months; Virginia Code Title 20. Domestic Relations \u00a7 20-97<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Washington<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Resident with no time requirement; Washington Revised Code Title 26. Domestic Relations \u00a7 26.09.030<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

West Virginia<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

One year; West Virginia Code Chapter 48. Domestic Relations \u00a7 48-5-105<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Wisconsin<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Six months in state and 30 days in the county; Wisconsin Statutes Marriage and Family (Ch. 765 to 770) \u00a7 767.301<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Wyoming<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

60 days or the parties were married in the state, and one party has remained a resident; Wyoming Statutes Title 20. Domestic Relations \u00a7 20-2-107<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Frequently Asked Questions About Residency and Divorce<\/h2>\r\n

Knowing the length of residency required for divorce in your state is a good start, but you might still have questions. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions about residency and divorce.<\/p>\r\n