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Connecticut demands a full year of residency before you can file — then a 90-day wait from the return date follows.

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Reviewed by our editorial team Based on official state court forms

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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms

By Sarah Brooks Founder · Editor
Editorial Team Research & plain-language review
At a Glance

Connecticut divorce at a glance

Residency requirement 12 months
Waiting period 90 days
Filing fee $360
Grounds accepted Irretrievable breakdown (no-fault)
Official forms JD-FM-159, JD-FM-172

Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.

Overview

Divorce in Connecticut: the year-long rule

Connecticut is one of the few states that requires a full 12 months of residency before you can even file for divorce. Once the Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage (form JD-FM-159) is filed with the Superior Court in your Judicial District, the court sets a return date, and the mandatory 90-day waiting period runs from that date before a judgment can be entered.

The state also uses a concept most places dropped long ago: the return date. It is a procedural deadline that controls the timing of the case, and it is tied directly to the 90-day clock. An uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement can still finish in four to six months, but the return-date system makes the timeline feel more structured than in other states.

Property is divided equitably, alimony follows the factors in C.G.S. § 46b-82, and child support uses the Connecticut Child Support Guidelines under C.G.S. § 46b-215b. Couples who agree on all terms use the JD-FM-172 settlement agreement form. Filing runs about $360, and all forms come from the Connecticut Judicial Branch.

Official court source: Connecticut Judicial Branch