Divorce Checklist: Everything You Need to Gather Before Filing

Full legal names, current addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and employment information. If your spouse's address is unknown, note that — it affects the service of process method.

Your marriage certificate (date and location), date of separation, and if you've been living apart — note when and where each party moved. For states requiring a separation period (SC, Vermont, MD), document the separation carefully.

For divorces involving children: each child's full name, date of birth, gender, current school, and health insurance information. Have your custody preferences ready — physical and legal custody, primary residence, and holiday schedule.

List all real estate (including mortgage balances), vehicles (including loan balances), bank accounts (checking, savings, joint), investment accounts, retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension), and valuable personal property.

Gather mortgage statements, car loan balances, credit card statements, student loans, and any other joint debts. Note whose name is on each account — this determines responsibility after the divorce.

Recent pay stubs, last 2 years of tax returns, and if self-employed — business financial statements. Income is used to calculate child support and evaluate spousal support. Both parties' income is typically required.

Once you have this information together, DivorceReady can generate your complete divorce packet in about 30 minutes for self-represented filers. Just answer the questions, pay the flat fee, and download your documents.