Alabama Divorce Checklist: Every Document You Need to File

The most common reason Alabama circuit court clerks reject pro se divorce filings is missing paperwork. You can download every required form for free from eforms.alacourt.gov — but the forms page does not tell you which combination you need, which order to file them in, or which county-specific documents your particular court requires on top of the state forms.

This checklist covers every document you need, organized by the stage of the filing process.

Stage 1: Required Court Forms

These forms are mandatory for every Alabama divorce filing, regardless of county or case type.

Complaint for Divorce (Form PS-08) The document that initiates your divorce action. It identifies both parties, states your grounds for divorce (most filers choose "incompatibility of temperament" as the no-fault option), alleges residency, and specifies what relief you are requesting — property division, custody, support, or all of the above.

Certificate of Divorce, Dissolution of Marriage, or Annulment (ADPH Form HS-16) A mandatory administrative form required by the Alabama Department of Public Health's Center for Health Statistics. You must file an original physical copy — the clerk will not accept photocopies, scanned copies, or digital reproductions. Pick up the form from your county clerk's office or order it from the ADPH in advance.

Child Support Information Sheet (Form CS-47) A civil cover sheet with demographic and contact information for both parties. Required in all domestic relations cases. Some counties, including Shelby County, require this form even when there are no minor children.

Stage 2: Forms for Cases With Minor Children

If you have children under 19 (Alabama's age of majority), you need additional forms.

Child Support Obligation Income Statement/Affidavit (Form CS-41) Both parents must complete this form, declaring monthly gross income under penalty of perjury. Attach supporting documentation: three months of pay stubs, the most recent tax return, or benefit statements.

Child Support Guidelines (Form CS-42 or CS-42-S) Form CS-42 is the standard worksheet when one parent has primary custody. Form CS-42-S applies when parents share physical custody approximately 50/50 — it uses a 150% multiplier on the basic schedule obligation. Use the wrong form and the judge will reject your proposed support calculation.

Child Support Guidelines Notice of Compliance (Form CS-43) Confirms that the proposed child support amount complies with Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, or explains why a deviation is justified.

Parenting Plan Many Alabama counties require a written parenting plan specifying the regular custody schedule, holiday rotation, transportation arrangements, and decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities.

Stage 3: Settlement and Testimony Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement (Separation Agreement) The written contract between you and your spouse dividing all marital property, allocating debts, and addressing support. For uncontested cases, this agreement gets incorporated into the final decree. It must be specific — vague language like "we'll split things fairly" will be rejected.

Plaintiff's Testimony (Form PS-09) Notarized written testimony that substitutes for an in-person court appearance in uncontested cases. You answer questions about your marriage, residency, grounds for divorce, and the terms of your settlement. Both the plaintiff and a corroborating witness must sign before a notary.

Answer and Waiver / Acceptance of Service Your spouse signs this to acknowledge receipt of the divorce papers and waive formal service. Must be notarized. This is what makes uncontested filing possible without involving a sheriff or process server.

Proposed Final Judgment of Divorce The actual decree you want the judge to sign. It incorporates your settlement agreement by reference and orders the marriage dissolved. Draft this carefully — the judge may sign it as written or require modifications.

Stage 4: Financial Documentation (Gather Before You Start)

These are not court forms, but you need them to complete your forms accurately and to support your case if the judge has questions.

• [ ] Last two years of federal and state tax returns
• [ ] Three months of pay stubs for both parties
• [ ] Bank account statements (checking, savings) — last 3 to 6 months
• [ ] Retirement account statements (401(k), IRA, pension)
• [ ] Mortgage statements and property tax records
• [ ] Vehicle titles, registration, and loan balances
• [ ] Credit card statements showing joint debt balances
• [ ] Health insurance policy details and premium amounts
• [ ] Life insurance policies
• [ ] Business ownership documents (if applicable)
• [ ] Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if one exists)

Stage 5: County-Specific Requirements

Alabama has 67 counties, and many have additional local requirements. Common county-specific documents include:

• Affidavit of Residence — a third-party affidavit corroborating the plaintiff's continuous Alabama residency (required in several counties)
• Parenting class certificate — some counties require completion of a court-approved co-parenting education course before the decree is entered
• Standing domestic relations order — Jefferson County and others issue automatic financial restraining orders upon filing that both parties must acknowledge

Call your circuit court clerk's office before filing to confirm local requirements. Clerks cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what paperwork they need to open your file.

Organizing Your Filing Package

Assemble everything in this order before going to the clerk's office or submitting through AlaFile:

1. Complaint for Divorce (PS-08)
2. ADPH Form HS-16 (original only)
3. Child Support Information Sheet (CS-47)
4. CS-41, CS-42/CS-42-S, CS-43 (if children)
5. Marital Settlement Agreement
6. Answer and Waiver (if spouse has signed)
7. Filing fee payment or Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (Form C-10)

After the 30-day waiting period, submit:

8. Plaintiff's Testimony (PS-09, notarized)
9. Affidavit of Residence (if required by county)
10. Proposed Final Judgment of Divorce

The Alabama Divorce Filing Process Guide provides the complete filing sequence with county-specific checklists, so you know exactly which forms your court requires and the order to submit them.

See more Alabama guides →