Choose a type, fill in the details, and download a ready-to-file document.
Choose your divorce type
Choose a divorce type to start. Your document preview appears here as you fill it in.
Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms
Document Preview
Document Templates
North Dakota divorce template samples
Expand a template below to see exactly what's included before you fill it in.
Uncontested Divorce SampleSee the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.
Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of North Dakota for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-17. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties that are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-09.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [8. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Spousal Support
The parties have agreed that spousal support shall be as follows: [9. Spousal Support Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' agreement regarding property, debts, and spousal support;
(c) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(d) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce SampleSee how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.
Complaint for Divorce — Contested
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of North Dakota for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-17. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties that are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-09.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that this Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts, considering the Ruff-Fischer factors. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [8. Property and Debt Description]
Spousal Support
The parties are unable to agree on spousal support. Plaintiff requests that the Court award spousal support in an amount and for a duration that is just and equitable, considering the factors set forth in N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1. Relevant facts include: [9. Spousal Support Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(c) award spousal support as the Court deems just and equitable;
(d) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Uncontested Divorce with Children SampleSee the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.
Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested with Children
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of North Dakota for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-17. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation].
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties that are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-09.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties have reached a full agreement regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.2. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [10. Parenting Plan Terms]
Child Support
The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the North Dakota Child Support Guidelines (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1). The agreed monthly child support amount is [11. Child Support Amount], payable by [12. Paying Parent] to [13. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [14. Child Support Additional Terms]
Medical and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [15. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [16. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Spousal Support
The parties have agreed that spousal support shall be as follows: [17. Spousal Support Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' parenting plan regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the North Dakota Child Support Guidelines;
(d) approve the parties' property and debt division;
(e) restore Plaintiff's former name of [18. Former Name], if requested; and
(f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [19. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [20. Execution Date] day of [21. Execution Month, Year], at [22. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce with Children SampleSee how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.
Complaint for Divorce — Contested with Children
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [1. County]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of North Dakota for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-17. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation].
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties that are substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage, in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 14-05-09.1. The marriage should be dissolved.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties are unable to agree on legal or physical custody of the minor child(ren). Plaintiff requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting plan in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.2. Relevant facts include: [10. Custody Dispute Facts]
Child Support
The parties are unable to agree on child support. Plaintiff requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the North Dakota Child Support Guidelines (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1). Relevant facts include: [11. Child Support Facts]
Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines equitable: [12. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that the Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts, considering the Ruff-Fischer factors. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [13. Property and Debt Description]
Spousal Support
The parties are unable to agree on spousal support. Plaintiff requests that the Court award spousal support as the Court deems just and equitable under N.D.C.C. § 14-05-24.1. Relevant facts include: [14. Spousal Support Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) determine legal and physical custody and establish a parenting plan in the best interests of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the North Dakota Child Support Guidelines;
(d) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(e) award spousal support as the Court deems just and equitable;
(f) restore Plaintiff's former name of [15. Former Name], if requested; and
(g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [16. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [17. Execution Date] day of [18. Execution Month, Year], at [19. City and State of Execution].
Official formsNo standard numbers (DWC packet with children, DNC packet without)
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Overview
North Dakota divorce: service before filing
North Dakota runs its divorce in reverse. The summons and complaint must be served on your spouse before the clerk will accept them for filing — proof of service comes first, filing second. It is a small procedural quirk with a big effect on how the timeline feels, and it pairs with a rule that makes the state fast: there is no mandatory waiting period, so an uncontested case can finalize in 30 to 90 days.
Eligibility takes six months of continuous residency under N.D.C.C. § 14-05-17 — you can file earlier, but the court cannot enter the final decree until the six months are complete. The ground is irreconcilable differences under § 14-05-03, used in over 95% of cases, requiring only substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage. The Legal Self Help Center provides the paperwork as two packets: DWC for divorces with children, DNC for those without.
Property is divided equitably, spousal support is called spousal support, and child support follows the North Dakota Child Support Guidelines. The filing fee is $160, and the defendant has 21 days to answer after service.