How New York Divorce Papers Are Organized
New York Courts publishes a statewide Uncontested Divorce Packet. Its forms are designed to work together at different stages of a traditional case. Some papers start the action, some notify the other spouse, some document financial arrangements, and others ask a judge for the final judgment.
This organization explains why a person who downloads just the Summons with Notice or Judgment of Divorce is not yet ready to file every part of the case. The court also provides instructions that identify additional notices, affirmation forms, processing forms, and forms required when children or maintenance are involved.
In the traditional route, the person filing is called the Plaintiff and the other spouse is the Defendant. The approved Uncontested Joint Divorce program differs because both spouses submit a separate set of joint papers together.
The packet is free. Completing a form with an online service does not mean it has been filed, accepted, or signed by a judge. You remain responsible for the court’s filing and any applicable service or follow-up steps.
Forms That Start a New York Divorce Case
The standard action opens with one of two principal sets: Summons with Notice (UD-1), or a Summons (UD-1a) together with a Verified Complaint (UD-2). The choice affects what is included in the opening documents and how the Defendant receives notice of the case.
The required notices also matter. New York’s statewide packet lists the Notice of Automatic Orders, the Notice of Guideline Maintenance, and the notice about continued health coverage. When children are involved, additional child-support information may need to accompany the opening papers.
| Form | What it is for |
|---|---|
| UD-1, Summons with Notice | Starts the action and states the nature of the relief requested. |
| UD-1a and UD-2 | Starts with a summons plus a Verified Complaint stating the claim and requested relief. |
| Notice of Automatic Orders | Notifies the spouses about restrictions applying during the divorce. |
| Required support and coverage notices | Supplies maintenance and health-coverage information called for in the packet. |
The County Clerk assigns an index number to the newly started action. The official court guidance lists the index number fee as $210. The documents must then move through the appropriate service and response procedures before final judgment papers are submitted.
Do not borrow an “Original Petition for Divorce” checklist from Texas or forms starting with FL from California. Those are different states’ documents. New York’s ordinary uncontested packet uses its own UD-series terminology.
Service, Consent, and Plaintiff Affirmations
Traditional New York divorce procedure generally requires that the Defendant receive the opening papers in an approved manner. When the summons has been served, the Affirmation of Service (UD-3) records the delivery. A spouse who agrees to the case may use the Affirmation of Defendant (UD-7), when applicable, rather than allowing the process to proceed solely on default.
The Plaintiff’s Affirmation (UD-6) is part of the uncontested materials submitted for court review. The Affirmation of Regularity (UD-5) addresses procedural matters, including the Defendant’s response or default situation. Those forms help the judge see that the case followed the relevant steps.
New York’s 2024 procedural changes permit many civil affirmations instead of notarized affidavits, and the statewide divorce packet now uses updated form titles. That does not mean no documents ever require a notary. For certain sworn statements or agreements, current instructions can still require notarization. Check the specific document face and instruction booklet rather than applying a single rule to every form.
Service is more than a delivery preference. Incorrect service or missing proof can prevent the judge from granting the requested divorce. When a spouse cannot be located or refuses to cooperate, the standard self-help packet may be unsuitable without professional help.
Financial and Child-Related Divorce Forms
New York requires financial and parenting matters to be addressed before a no-fault divorce judgment is granted. The official forms reflect this through worksheets, supporting notices, and other documents that apply only in some cases.
Examples include the Annual Income Worksheet (UD-8(1)), Maintenance Guidelines Worksheet (UD-8(2)), and Child Support Worksheet (UD-8(3)). The packet also lists children-specific forms such as the Addendum for Request for Judicial Intervention (UCS-840M) and Child Support Summary Form (UCS-111).
Not every spouse must submit every support document. Child-related forms depend on the family’s circumstances and requested orders. A maintenance waiver or child-support agreement still needs to fit the court’s requirements.
A settlement agreement can explain the intended property division, debt payments, support, and other matters. New York Courts notes a separate charge may apply when filing an agreement. The agreement is not a substitute for all the court’s processing forms, and it should not be drafted casually when property or retirement rights are substantial.
A Statement of Net Worth may appear in contested matrimonial practice, but the partner data does not establish it as a routine required form in every uncontested statewide packet. Confirm local and case-specific requirements instead of attaching documents merely because they appear in a broader divorce forms search.
Papers Used to Obtain and Notify a Divorce Judgment
Once the opening procedure and required responses are handled, the traditional uncontested packet uses more documents to submit the case for court review. Among the main items are the Note of Issue (UD-9), Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (UD-10), Judgment of Divorce (UD-11), Part 130 Certification (UD-12), and Request for Judicial Intervention (UD-13).
| Form | Typical stage |
|---|---|
| UD-9, Note of Issue | Requests placement of the uncontested matter for review. |
| UD-10, Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law | Sets out proposed findings supporting the requested judgment. |
| UD-11, Judgment of Divorce | Proposed order for the judge’s signature. |
| UD-12 and UD-13 | Certification and judicial-intervention processing forms. |
| UD-14, Notice of Entry | Used after the judgment is entered for notice to the Defendant. |
| UD-15, Affirmation of Service by Mail | Records service of the entered judgment in the traditional case. |
The Certificate of Dissolution (DOH-2168) is another relevant court-list item, used for vital-statistics reporting. It is not the same document as the Judgment of Divorce or UCS-111.
New York Courts says the basic uncontested filing charges are at least $335, including the $210 opening index number and a combined $125 for the Note of Issue and RJI stage. Other charges and fee-waiver rules may apply.
How Joint Divorce Forms Differ From UD Forms
New York’s Uncontested Joint Divorce program has a distinct court-approved packet for spouses who want to file an agreed no-fault divorce together. The program is not a shortcut in which two spouses merely co-sign a traditional Summons with Notice.
The official joint program provides an information booklet (JD-1), required packet materials, and additional-form appendices. Spouses choose the with-children or no-children materials according to the court’s children under 21 rule, alongside the details of their situation.
The joint program removes the ordinary opening situation in which one spouse files against the other and serves a traditional summons. It is unavailable if an ordinary case was already commenced by filing a Summons or Summons and Complaint. The approved current joint forms, not personally rewritten alternatives, must be used.
Before starting, decide whether the traditional or joint route applies. Using the wrong forms can lead to rejected papers and extra filing work. The court’s free forms page is the reference point for both sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What divorce papers do I need in New York?
The answer depends on the filing route and circumstances. A traditional uncontested case begins with Summons with Notice (UD-1) or a Summons (UD-1a) and Verified Complaint (UD-2), plus the required notices. The later packet may include service proof, affirmations, financial worksheets, the Note of Issue, and proposed Judgment of Divorce (UD-11). The joint program has separate approved packets. Follow the court’s current form checklist rather than downloading only one document.
Can I download New York divorce forms for free?
Yes. New York Courts provides the standard uncontested packet, instructions, and the joint-divorce materials at no charge. The court also provides some free DIY assistance for eligible individuals. Court filing fees remain separate, and an optional online document preparation service may charge a fee. Download official forms from the court’s own website to reduce the risk of using a stale or inaccurate version.
What is the difference between UD-1 and UD-2?
UD-1 is the Summons with Notice, one way to begin a traditional divorce case. UD-2 is the Verified Complaint, which is used with a Summons (UD-1a) in the alternative starting route. They are not simply duplicate copies of the same paper. Each format has its own instructions and service requirements. Use the official packet to decide which opening documents are appropriate.
Which New York divorce form ends the marriage?
The Judgment of Divorce, UD-11, is the standard uncontested court order used for the final result. A filer typically submits a proposed judgment with other forms, and a judge signs it if the divorce is granted. The judgment must then be entered into the County Clerk’s records. A downloaded or filled UD-11 does not itself dissolve a marriage. The joint route uses its approved court documents.
Are there additional divorce papers if you have children?
Yes, the packet may require child-support worksheets, health-coverage materials, support orders, and other attachments. The exact list depends on custody, parenting, and support arrangements. New York’s court packets also use children under 21 as an important distinction when choosing certain forms. Do not assume that every child-related form applies in every case. Check the official current form instructions.
Do New York divorce forms need to be notarized?
Not every form requires notarization. Since New York expanded the use of civil affirmations in 2024, several forms now use an affirmation instead of a notarized affidavit. Some statements or agreements may still need a notary, and the packet’s directions for particular forms should be checked. Guidance for some documents, including the Notice of Entry, contains wording that should be confirmed with the clerk or current form face.
Can I use regular uncontested forms for a joint divorce in New York?
No. New York Courts requires use of its approved Uncontested Joint Divorce forms for that procedure. The joint route has a distinct information booklet and required packets, including versions for cases with and without children under 21. It also cannot be used after a traditional action has already begun through filing a summons. Select the route before preparing or filing the papers.