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Divorce prep · District of Columbia
Divorce residency rules and where to file in District of Columbia
You can file for divorce in DC if you or your spouse has been a DC resident for six months before filing. Only one spouse has to meet the DC residency requirement. DC law sets the same six-month bona fide residency rule for divorce and legal separation.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- You can file for divorce in DC if you or your spouse has been a DC resident for six months before filing. DC Courts: Divorce. Checked November 2, 2026
- Only one spouse has to meet the DC residency requirement. DC Courts: Divorce. Checked November 2, 2026
- DC law sets the same six-month bona fide residency rule for divorce and legal separation. Code of the District of Columbia § 16-902. Checked November 2, 2026
Official links
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
- Bank, retirement and debt statements
- Pay stubs and tax returns
- Household bills and expenses
- Home, car and property papers
- Agreements and court papers you have
- Messages sent to you
- Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
Coming soon to Google Play.
More for District of Columbia
- How child support works in District of Columbia
- Child custody and parenting plans in District of Columbia
- How to get a copy of your divorce record in District of Columbia
- Protective orders for domestic violence in District of Columbia
- Divorce document checklist: the full guide
- Divorce residency rules and where to file: all states
Neighbouring states
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Maryland
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Virginia
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Delaware
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Florida
Questions
Where do these District of Columbia facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: DC Courts: Divorce; Code of the District of Columbia § 16-902. We checked that each source still says it on November 2, 2026. Rules and forms change, so open the official link and read the current version before you rely on it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. KeepMyProof is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, ask a lawyer licensed in District of Columbia or your court's self-help center.
Which papers should I keep for divorce prep?
A good start: Bank, retirement and debt statements; Pay stubs and tax returns; Household bills and expenses; Home, car and property papers; Agreements and court papers you have; Messages sent to you; Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes. Keep only papers you are allowed to have, write the date on each note, and keep originals somewhere safe.
How can I keep these papers private on my phone?
KeepMyProof keeps copies of the papers you already have in folders with checklists, encrypted on your phone, with no account and no ads. It is free for the first items you save. It is coming soon to Google Play.
Educational only. Not legal advice.