Divorce Forms In New Jersey can look deceptively “simple” at first—until you actually sit down to fill them out. Then the questions start piling up: What do I put for the date of separation? What counts as an asset? Do I have to list every insurance policy? Why is this asking for information I don’t want my spouse to see?
From a lawyer’s perspective, the paperwork isn’t busywork. It’s how the court organizes your case, verifies what you’re asking for, and forces both sides to put real information on the record. If the forms are incomplete or inconsistent, you can lose weeks (sometimes months) just fixing avoidable issues.
At Sammarro & Zalarick in Bergen County, one of the first things we do for a new divorce client is “translate” the forms into plain English: what each document does, which ones matter most in your situation, and where people commonly get tripped up. This guide does the same—so you can feel more in control of the process, even if you’re not sure yet whether you’ll file on your own or with counsel.
Common Divorce Forms In New Jersey and why they matter
New Jersey calls divorce a “dissolution” in court language, and the process is generally the same whether you’re dissolving a marriage, dissolving a civil union, terminating a domestic partnership, or seeking an annulment.
The court system runs on documents. The judge doesn’t know your story until it’s presented in a format the court recognizes. That’s why certain forms are required upfront, and why others become necessary once custody, support, alimony, or equitable distribution are on the table.
Here’s the practical truth: good forms don’t “win” your divorce—but bad forms absolutely can complicate it. They can trigger rejections, require refiling, delay scheduling, and create confusion that bleeds into settlement discussions.
Common Divorce Forms In New Jersey that start a divorce case
When you open a divorce case, the New Jersey Judiciary lists a set of documents you must file. Some have “CN” numbers (the court’s form numbering system) and can be downloaded directly from the Judiciary website.
Divorce Complaint
The Divorce Complaint is the document that starts the case in the Family Division. It lays out who you are, who your spouse is, the basic history (dates, children, etc.), the legal reason for the divorce (the “grounds”), and what you want the court to address—custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, and related relief.
From a lawyer’s point of view, the complaint is also your first chance to be clear. Not dramatic—clear. Vague requests like “I want what’s fair” don’t help anyone. On the other hand, overly aggressive claims you can’t support can backfire. We aim for a complaint that’s accurate, complete, and aligned with the strategy of the case.
Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion
This is the sworn certification that goes with the complaint. When you sign it, you’re swearing that the information in the complaint is true, that you’re not filing for hidden or dishonest reasons, and that there aren’t other undisclosed legal actions or arbitrations pending in the case.
Clients sometimes gloss over this because it feels like “standard language.” It isn’t. It’s a sworn statement. If you don’t know something, you don’t guess—your lawyer helps you handle it properly.
Summons
The Summons is the official notice that a divorce complaint has been filed. It tells the other party where and how to respond and the deadline to do it.
Think of the complaint as the “what,” and the summons as the “you’ve been formally notified, and here’s how to answer.”
Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CN 10486)
This form is the one people are most relieved to learn is confidential. The Confidential Litigant Information Sheet is required when a dissolution (FM) complaint (or a non-dissolution (FD) complaint) is filed, and it is not shared with the other party.
It contains identifying information the court needs to set up and process the case (including information like Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers). The confidentiality piece matters, because divorce already involves enough vulnerability—your private identifiers shouldn’t become part of what gets exchanged in discovery or argued about in court.
Self-Represented Litigant Certification of Notification of CDR Alternatives (CN 10889) and the CN 10888 “Descriptive Material”
If you are self-represented, the court requires a certification that you read the Judiciary’s descriptive material about dispute resolution alternatives—like mediation, arbitration, and other processes that may resolve issues without trial.
The certification (CN 10889) specifically references that you read CN 10888 and understand that options exist other than going straight to trial.
From our perspective, this isn’t just “a form to check off.” If you’re in a case where settlement is realistic, CDR can protect your privacy, reduce conflict, and reduce cost. CN 10888 even explains why alternatives can be more efficient and less expensive in many cases.
Certification of Insurance Coverage
New Jersey requires a certification listing all known insurance policies for the parties and any children, signed under oath.
This form sounds narrow, but it matters more than people realize. Insurance often shows up in settlement conversations as a practical, real-life need: health coverage for children, life insurance to secure support, disability coverage, and more. If your certification is incomplete, it can create trust issues and slow negotiations.
Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS) (CN 10482)
The Case Information Statement is the financial backbone of a New Jersey divorce. The Judiciary explains that it sets out financial details like income, budgets, support contributions, and assets—and that it helps establish lifestyle, which can be a key component of support issues.
The court states the CIS must be filed by both parties if custody, support, alimony, or equitable distribution are in dispute.
What most people don’t appreciate until they’re in it: the CIS isn’t just “fill in boxes.” It’s a sworn snapshot of your financial life.
The CIS form itself emphasizes accuracy and notes that you certify the contents are true. It also tells you to base monthly expenses on actual expenditures (like bank statements, check registers, or credit card statements) and to use appraisals or account statements for asset values when possible.
It also requires attachments, including your most recent tax returns with W-2s/1099s and your three most recent pay stubs.
In our office, the CIS is where we often uncover the “real” issues in a case—cash flow problems, hidden debt, inconsistent income, or unrealistic budgets. It’s also where we build credibility. A clean, well-supported CIS sends a message: this person is organized, transparent, and ready to move the case forward.
Common Divorce Forms In New Jersey when you’re responding to a complaint
If you were served with a summons and complaint, you are the defendant. You typically have 35 days to respond.
If you do not respond at all, the court may grant the divorce and enter orders in favor of the plaintiff.
The New Jersey Judiciary outlines three response options:
Answer
An Answer is how you respond to (and potentially contest) what the plaintiff stated in the complaint.
This is where we see many self-represented litigants make an early mistake: they respond emotionally instead of legally. The answer isn’t a journal entry. It’s a pleading. When we draft or review an answer, we keep it tight—admit what’s true, deny what’s not, and identify what needs proof.
Answer and Counterclaim
An Answer and Counterclaim lets you respond to the complaint and also raise your own grounds and claims.
In plain terms: it’s your way of saying, “I’m not just replying—I’m also asking the court for relief.”
Appearance
An Appearance means you are not contesting what the plaintiff stated about the divorce itself, but you want to be heard on issues like custody, parenting time, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, or other matters.
Sometimes an appearance is the right move when both people agree the marriage is over, but the financial terms (or parenting plan) still need work.
Forms typically required with a response
The court’s self-help guidance lists additional documents commonly required when responding, including the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CN 10486), the CN 10889 certification, insurance-related certifications, and (when seeking alimony or child support) the CIS (CN 10482).
The court also warns defendants not to include personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers on the documents filed with the court and instructs parties to redact personal identifiers on copies submitted.
From our viewpoint, confidentiality mistakes are some of the most preventable—and some of the most stressful once they happen. This is an area where having a lawyer (even for limited review) can save you a lot of regret.
Common Divorce Forms In New Jersey for service and proof of service
Filing the forms is only step one. Service is what gives the court authority over the other party.
New Jersey requires that you serve the other party with the divorce papers within 60 days of filing.
The Judiciary explains that after your complaint is filed and you have a docket number, you serve the summons and all required documents and then you must prove to the court, in writing, that service happened.
That written proof is commonly called “proof of service.”
The court describes service options like using the county sheriff’s officer or a process server. It also notes that if you use a process server, you may need to file an “Acknowledgement of Service” form with the court and include the receipt, depending on how service was done.
This is an area where timelines matter. If service is mishandled, you can lose momentum fast.
Common Divorce Forms In New Jersey for settlement and finalizing
Not every divorce ends in a trial. In fact, most don’t. The paperwork shifts depending on whether you’re contested, uncontested, or proceeding by default.
Property/Marital Settlement Agreement
For uncontested divorces, the court explains that the couple typically prepares a joint property settlement agreement that covers custody, parenting time, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, and other financial matters. It must be signed by both parties and notarized, and the court can accept it and make it part of the divorce order.
We draft settlement agreements with two goals in mind:
1. Make it enforceable and clear; and
2. Make it practical to live with.
A “good” agreement answers questions before they become disputes—how support is paid, how expenses are split, what happens if someone moves, how retirement accounts are divided, and how disagreements get handled.
Proposed Final Judgment of Divorce
Whether your case is uncontested or default, you generally need a proposed final judgment document that the court can sign to finalize the divorce. In “divorce on the papers” situations, the Judiciary’s instructions specifically reference filing a Proposed Final Judgment of Divorce as part of the packet.
Divorce “on the papers” forms (CN 12620, CN 11191, CN 13146)
New Jersey has a process to request a divorce without appearing in court, sometimes called “divorce on the papers.” The Judiciary explains you can request this only for a default divorce or an uncontested divorce, and even then the judge can still require an appearance.
The key form here is CN 12620 (Certification in Support of Judgment of Divorce Without a Court Appearance).
The CN 12620 instructions list additional documents depending on whether it’s default or uncontested—such as proof of service, request to enter default (in default cases), a proposed final judgment, and (if applicable) a property/marital settlement agreement.
Two other forms come up frequently in this context:
- Certification or Affidavit of Non-Military Service (CN 11191). The form is designed to certify the other party is not in U.S. military service, and it references methods like checking the Department of Defense SCRA website and attaching a printout.
- Dissolution (FM) Judgment for Name Change and Addendum (CN 13146) if a party is requesting a name change as part of finalizing the divorce on the papers. The CN 12620 packet specifically states that if a party is requesting a name change, they must file CN 13146.
If you’re considering “divorce on the papers,” it’s worth getting legal guidance even if you’re mostly handling things yourself. The forms are straightforward—but only if your case truly qualifies and your documents line up properly.
Common Divorce Forms In New Jersey: the mistakes we see most often
This is the part clients appreciate hearing before they file—because these are the issues that tend to cause avoidable delays.
Mixing documents into one upload or packet
If you file electronically, the court instructs that each required document must be uploaded separately, not bundled into a single attachment.
It seems minor. It’s not. Incorrect uploads can slow down processing.
Treating the CIS like a rough draft
The CIS is not a “best guess.” The form itself stresses accuracy and requires supporting documents like tax returns and pay stubs.
If your CIS reads like it was completed quickly without documentation, you risk credibility problems from the start—and that can influence settlement negotiations.
Not understanding what’s confidential (and what isn’t)
The Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CN 10486) is explicitly confidential and not shared with the other party.
But other filings are not treated that way. The responding guidance also warns against including personal identifiers in filed documents and instructs redaction.
If you’re unsure whether something belongs in a public filing, that’s a good moment to get legal advice before you hit “submit.”
Missing the response window
Defendants generally have 35 days to respond.
If someone comes to our office after that window has passed, we can often still help—but the conversation becomes more urgent, and the options can narrow.
Where to get official divorce forms and instructions
The New Jersey Judiciary provides a self-help divorce section that lists required forms and steps. It also points self-represented litigants to resources like Legal Services of New Jersey (including a free divorce guide and a paid divorce kit) and the Superior Court Ombudsman’s office for county-level help.
As attorneys, we still encourage clients to rely on official sources for the current version of court forms—and then to have the forms reviewed with counsel before filing if there are children, real assets, support issues, or safety concerns.
Filing options: online vs in person vs mail
New Jersey describes three ways to file: electronically through JEDS, in person at the courthouse, or by mail.
If you’re filing through JEDS, the Judiciary notes it’s available 24/7 for submission (processed during business hours), and online filing requires paying by credit card.
Whether filing online or on paper, the practical advice is the same: keep complete copies of everything and stay organized from day one.
How Sammarro & Zalarick helps Bergen County divorce clients with forms
If you’re reading this because you have forms open in front of you and you’re not sure what you’re looking at—you’re not alone.
When you hire our team, we don’t just “fill out paperwork.” We help you make smart decisions before the paperwork locks you into a position. That includes:
- clarifying what you should ask for (and what you should not),
- preparing clean, consistent financial disclosures,
- protecting your confidential information, and
- making sure deadlines and service requirements don’t derail your case.
Divorce is stressful enough without fighting your own documents.
Ready to talk? Contact Sammarro & Zalarick
If you’d like help preparing, reviewing, or filing your New Jersey divorce paperwork—especially if there are children, support concerns, or significant assets—contact Sammarro & Zalarick. Our Bergen County family law team can walk you through your options, explain what the forms really mean in your situation, and help you move forward with a plan that protects you now and later. Reach out by phone or through our website’s contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change, and every case is different. For advice about your situation, speak with an attorney licensed in New Jersey.