How to File for Divorce in Orange County, California

Before You File: Orange County Residency Requirements

To file for divorce in Orange County, at least one spouse must have been a California resident for at least six months and an Orange County resident for at least three months immediately before filing. If you do not yet meet these requirements, you may need to wait or file in the county where you currently meet the residency threshold.

Step 1 — Complete the Required Forms

California divorce begins with two mandatory forms available through the California Courts Self-Help Center:

• FL-100 — Petition for Dissolution of Marriage: This is the primary document that initiates the divorce and describes the relief you are requesting — including property division, support, and custody if applicable.
• FL-110 — Summons (Family Law): This notifies your spouse that a divorce proceeding has been filed and provides important legal notices about automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROs) that take effect immediately upon filing.

Additional forms may be required depending on your circumstances — particularly if you have minor children (FL-105/GC-120 Declaration Under UCCJEA) or if you are seeking temporary orders for support or custody.

Step 2 — File at the Lamoreaux Justice Center

Orange County divorce petitions are filed at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. The Family Law Clerk's Office is located on the 7th Floor, Room 706.

Filing fees as of 2026 are approximately $435 for the petitioner and $435 for the respondent (these fees are subject to change — confirm current amounts with the clerk). If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver by filing form FW-001.

Step 3 — Serve Your Spouse

After filing, you must have your spouse formally served with the divorce papers. Service must be completed by someone other than yourself — either a registered process server, a friend or family member over 18, or the sheriff's office. You cannot serve the papers yourself.

Once your spouse is served, the respondent has 30 days to file a Response (FL-120). If no response is filed, you may be able to proceed with a default judgment.

Step 4 — The Mandatory Six-Month Waiting Period

California Family Code §2339 requires a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the respondent is served before a divorce can be finalized. This period cannot be waived, even if both parties agree on all terms and are ready to proceed immediately.

During this period, the parties work toward resolution of all issues — property division, support, and custody — either by agreement (stipulated judgment) or through court proceedings.

Step 5 — Resolve All Issues and Obtain a Judgment

To finalize your divorce, all issues must be resolved and memorialized in a Judgment of Dissolution (FL-180). This document, once signed by the judge, legally ends your marriage.

If you and your spouse reach agreement on all issues, you can submit a stipulated judgment. If any issues remain disputed, they must be resolved through mediation, a settlement conference, or trial.

Why You Should Work With an Orange County Divorce Attorney

While the forms are publicly available, the process of completing them correctly — particularly when children, significant assets, or spousal support are involved — requires careful attention to California's complex family law statutes. Errors in characterizing property, calculating support, or structuring custody agreements can have lasting consequences.

Furubotten Law, APC has handled Orange County divorce filings for 30 years. Our team can manage every step of the process — from completing and filing the initial petition through obtaining the final judgment — so that you can focus on your life and family.

Last reviewed: May 2026  ·  Author: Denise Furubotten, Esq.