|
Summary of Residency Requirements for Divorce -- All States
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVORCE
In order for the courts of a state to consider your case for divorce, you must satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of that state. Although state laws differ considerably with regard to the applicable jurisdictonal rules, almost all require residence by a spouse in that state for some minimum period of time.
In some instances, courts can exercise limited jurisdiction to grant a divorce, but not decide other issues such as division of property, alimony and custody. This will occur when the spouse filing the divorce case resides in the state, but other lacks any significant contacts which would warrant jurisdiction over these matters. Because jurisdictional issues can be particularly complex, you may wish to consult with a lawyer if you are unsure about whether you are able to satisfy your state's requirements.
The following chart summarized the states' durational residency requirements:
| Durational Residency by State: |
| Alabama |
6 Months |
| Alaska |
30 Days |
| Arizona |
90 Days |
| Arkansas |
60 Days |
| California |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Colorado |
90 Days |
| Connecticut |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| Delaware |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| District of Columbia |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Florida |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Georgia |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Hawaii |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Idaho |
6 Weeks |
| Illinois |
90 Days |
| Indiana |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Iowa |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| Kansas |
60 Days |
| Kentucky |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Louisiana |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Maine |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Maryland |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| Massachusetts |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| Michigan |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Minnesota |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Mississippi |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Missouri |
90 Days |
| Montana |
90 Days |
| Nebraska |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| Nevada |
6 Weeks |
| New Hampshire |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| New Jersey |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| New Mexico |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| New York |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| North Carolina |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| North Dakota |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Ohio |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Oklahoma |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Oregon |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Pennsylvania |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Rhode Island |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| South Carolina* |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| South Dakota |
No Statutory Provision |
| Tennessee |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Texas |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Utah |
90 Days |
| Vermont |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Virginia |
6 Months or 180 Days |
| Washington |
No Statutory Provision |
| West Virginia |
12 Months or 1 Year |
| Wisconsin |
6 months or 180 Days |
| Wyoming |
60 Days |
|
| *If both spouses are residents of South Carolina, the residency requirement is reduced to 3 months.
|
|
