California's new joint petition
File for divorce in California,
together.
No one gets served, no one is the opponent. From $149, free to start.
Start on your own now. Invite your spouse when you're ready. No credit card.
What our filers are saying
Real experiences from people who filed with MutualFile.
“Honestly, we were both losing sleep over the paperwork, but MutualFile kept things surprisingly chill. It was a huge relief having our own logins—we could just fill out our own stuff separately without breathing down each other's necks.”
“We kept putting it off because we figured it'd be this whole drawn-out thing, but we literally knocked it out over two nights. Being able to both log in and see the same dashboard meant we didn't have to keep texting each other 'did you do your part yet?'”
“I was terrified of messing up the paperwork, but the site basically filled out all the stuff for us based on our answers. We didn't get a single rejection from the court—everything went through perfectly the first time.”
“Spent less than $200 on MutualFile and skipped the lawyers entirely. The checklist kept us from getting overwhelmed, and by the time we walked into the courthouse every form was already filled out and ready to hand over.”
Free to start. Pay only when you're ready to file.
No Monthly Fees — No Auto-Renewals, Ever
- One of you gets it started — about 15 minutes, no spouse needed
- Joint Petition and all forms to file
- Invite your spouse — nothing is filed until you both agree
- Step-by-step filing instructions for your county
- Court-ready guarantee: free corrections if the court sends anything back
Court filing fee of $870, one combined fee for the whole case, is paid directly to the court, not to us. Finalizing your divorce is a separate stage later on.
What our filers are saying
Real experiences from people who filed with MutualFile.
“Honestly, we were both losing sleep over the paperwork, but MutualFile kept things surprisingly chill. It was a huge relief having our own logins—we could just fill out our own stuff separately without breathing down each other's necks.”
“We kept putting it off because we figured it'd be this whole drawn-out thing, but we literally knocked it out over two nights. Being able to both log in and see the same dashboard meant we didn't have to keep texting each other 'did you do your part yet?'”
“I was terrified of messing up the paperwork, but the site basically filled out all the stuff for us based on our answers. We didn't get a single rejection from the court—everything went through perfectly the first time.”
“Spent less than $200 on MutualFile and skipped the lawyers entirely. The checklist kept us from getting overwhelmed, and by the time we walked into the courthouse every form was already filled out and ready to hand over.”
Where MutualFile is different
One of you starts. You finish together.
Most online divorce services give one person a form to fill out. MutualFile gives you both a seat at the table.
One of you gets it started
Answer the questions on your own time. It takes about 15 minutes, and you don't need your spouse there.
Invite your spouse
They get their own private login and see the same case, with every answer you filled in.
Review and request changes, line by line
Something doesn't look right? Either of you can request a change right on the form. No phone calls, no lawyers going back and forth.
Nothing is filed until you both approve
Your forms are ready to file only when you've both said yes.
Who keeps the 2019 Honda CR-V?
Alex
Jordan asked a question “Does the car loan go with it? There’s about $8,300 left.”
Waiting on Alex
Who pays the Visa card balance?
Split 50 / 50
Jordan requested a change “Can we do 60/40? I kept more of the furniture.”
Waiting on Alex
Joint savings account
Balance $12,400
Split 50 / 50
Alex requested a change “Can I take $1,500 first for my new apartment deposit, then split the rest?”
Waiting on Jordan
What it costs to file your joint petition
No hourly rates, no retainer, no surprise add-ons.
MutualFile: your joint petition
Paid to MutualFile, when you're ready to file
$149
Process server
Not needed — no one gets served
$0
Attorney
Not needed for an agreed divorce
$0
Compare that with $5,000–$12,000+ when each spouse hires an attorney. Finalizing your divorce is a separate stage later on, and you only pay for it when you get there.
What happens when you click “Start free”
Nothing goes to your spouse yet
Your spouse only hears about it when you choose to invite them.
You just answer a few questions
Plain-English questions about you and your marriage. No legal jargon, no payment, no credit card.
Stop anytime, come back later
Your answers are saved. Take a break, talk it over, pick up where you left off.
Nothing is filed without you
Nothing goes to the court until you've both reviewed and approved your forms.
Which path is right for you?
MutualFile supports both ways to file in California. Answer a few questions and we'll point you to the right one.
Joint petition: file together
Fastest & simplest
This is you if:
- You both want this, or probably will
- You can work out property, support, and parenting together, even if you haven't yet
- You'd rather file together, and no one gets served
Standard petition: one of you files
When you're starting alone
This is you if:
- Your spouse may not cooperate, or is hard to reach
- You still expect to reach agreement along the way
- You want to get started now instead of waiting
You'll file first. If they're willing, they can acknowledge receipt online — no process server.
See if this fits meDisagree on important things? Take the check anyway — we'll help you start your paperwork, and a mediator or attorney can help with the parts you can't agree on.
Both paths require that one of you has lived in California for 6+ months and in the filing county for 3+ months.
Not sure which fits?
Check which path fits — about a minuteHow it works
From first question to final judgment, step by step.
How the joint petition works
- 1
Start on your own · about 15 minutes
Answer plain-English questions about your marriage, property, and finances. Free, no credit card. Stop anytime and pick up later.
- 2
Invite your spouse
They get their own private login on the same case. For shared decisions (who keeps what, support, custody), either of you can propose an answer or request a change until you both agree.
- 3
Get your court-ready forms
We prepare your joint petition and your financial disclosure forms from your answers. You both review and approve before anything is filed.
- 4
File and finalize
Take your packet to your county court with step-by-step instructions for your county. After California's 6-month waiting period, we help you prepare your final judgment.
Ready to see which forms your case needs?
See if we qualify — freeWhy couples choose the joint petition
No process server
Filing together counts as service. Skip the sheriff, the process server fees, and the tension of “being served.”
File as equals
No more “Petitioner vs. Respondent.” You are Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2 — setting a collaborative tone from day one.
The 6-month clock starts immediately
The mandatory waiting period begins the moment you file — no delays waiting for service or proof of service.
See whether joint filing is right for you.
See if you qualify — freeCourt-Ready Guarantee
Every document MutualFile generates is built from official California Judicial Council forms and validated against current court requirements, so what you take to the courthouse is court-ready. If any court rejects your paperwork due to a MutualFile error, we'll correct it and regenerate your documents at no extra cost.
If you're not happy with your documents, contact us and we'll do our best to make it right. Court filing fees and third-party costs are paid directly to courts and process servers and are non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Joint Petition eliminate the 6-month waiting period?
Do both spouses have to participate?
Can I start without my spouse?
Is the Joint Petition available in every California county?
Do we still have to complete financial disclosures?
What if one of us changes their mind?
How much does MutualFile charge for a Joint Petition?
What if we can't afford the $870 court fee?
Is MutualFile a law firm?
Ready to file your joint petition?
Both spouses complete a guided interview. MutualFile generates your forms, manages disclosures, and gives you a court-ready packet to file with your county court.
$149Free to start, no credit card required.
No Monthly Fees — No Auto-Renewals, Ever