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Online Divorce Filing in Los Angeles County
Filing for divorce in Los Angeles shouldn't feel like a battle. Whether you're filing at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown or a local branch court, MutualFile streamlines your California divorce paperwork into a simple, guided experience — from interview to court-ready documents and step-by-step instructions for filing them with the LASC.
File your Los Angeles divorce online — start free, no lawyer needed.
Get startedSB 1427: Joint Petition Filing
California now allows couples to file a Joint Petition — starting the 6-month waiting period together without the traditional Petitioner vs. Respondent process. This eliminates the need for formal service of process, saving time and money.
See how the Joint Petition worksLos Angeles Court Information
- Court
- Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Family Law Courthouse
- Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Central District)
- Filing Fee
- $435 per Petition or Response · $870 joint petition
- Court Website
- lacourt.ca.gov
- Online Case Access
- Look up your case
Courthouses Handling Family Law
How to Submit Your Divorce Papers in Los Angeles
- In person
- File at the clerk's office of the proper district courthouse — Central (Stanley Mosk) or the district where a party resides under Local Rule 2.3; the first paper must include the local Family Law Case Cover Sheet (FAM020).
- E-filing
- Represented parties must e-file through an approved EFSP (Local Rule 5.6); self-represented filers may e-file voluntarily. PDFs must be text-searchable and each document uploaded as a separate PDF; multiple documents for one case may go in one envelope.
E-Filing in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County Superior Court accepts electronic filing (e-filing) for family law cases through approved Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs). If you are representing yourself, e-filing is optional — you can still file on paper.
E-filing is available in many family law situations, but eligibility varies by document type and court program. Check the EFSP or court website for current eligibility.
Los Angeles court e-filing page and approved providers
MutualFile prepares your Los Angeles divorce forms so they are court-ready, then walks you through exactly how to submit them — whether you e-file through an EFSP, file in person, or file by mail. You file with the court yourself; we make sure the paperwork is complete before you do.
How It Works in Los Angeles
Guided Interview
Answer simple questions about your assets and children. Our system ensures your answers meet California legal standards.
Collaborate
Invite your spouse to a secure portal. In 2026, you can now sign the same Joint Petition to skip formal service.
File With the Court
Download your court-ready packet with step-by-step instructions for filing it at the Los Angeles Superior Court. The clerk returns your stamped conformed copies.
See the detailed step-by-step process below.
The Divorce Process in Los Angeles
The process in Los Angeles follows standard California divorce procedure:
- File the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) with the Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Serve your spouse with the filed documents
- Exchange financial disclosures (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150)
- Spouse has 30 days to respond after being served
- Reach a settlement agreement or proceed through court proceedings
- Submit the Judgment (FL-180) for the court to review and sign
- The 6-month waiting period must pass before the divorce is final
For a full walkthrough, see our step-by-step California divorce guide.
Filing together in Los Angeles?
If you and your spouse both want the divorce, California's Joint Petition (SB 1427) lets you file as co-petitioners — no process server, and no one has to be “served.” See how the California Joint Petition works.
How Much Does Divorce Cost in Los Angeles?
| Fee Type | Traditional Lawyer | MutualFile |
|---|---|---|
| LASC Filing Fee | $435 (2026 statewide schedule) | $435 (2026 statewide schedule) |
| Service of Process | $50 – $100 | FREE (with Joint Petition) |
| Professional Fees | $5,000+ | Starting at $149 |
| Total Estimated | $5,500+ | ~$584+ |
Court fees are paid to the Los Angeles Superior Court. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
Joint petition: $435 or $870 in Los Angeles?
$870 — and that is the total for your case, not per spouse. A joint petition (FL-700) for dissolution or legal separation filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court carries one combined $870 fee that covers both spouses' appearances, in place of the separate Petition and Response fees in a traditional filing. If one spouse later revokes the joint petition, the schedule says no additional first-appearance fee is due from either of you. Note: the Los Angeles County Superior Court's own posted fee schedule still describes the $435 Petition line as "including a joint petition" — older wording that predates SB 1427. Family Code §2342.5(h) and the Judicial Council's 2026 schedule set the joint-petition fee at $870, so confirm the amount with the clerk before you pay. The $435 figure applies only to a joint petition for summary dissolution, a separate short-marriage procedure with strict eligibility limits. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
Source: Judicial Council Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (effective Jan 1, 2026); Petition and Response fees from the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Civil Fee Schedule (Public), January 1, 2026.
Fee waivers in Los Angeles
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the Los Angeles County Superior Court to waive it by filing a Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) with your first papers.
See our full California divorce cost breakdown for more details.
Los Angeles Family Law Resources
Family Law Facilitator's Office
Free assistance with family law paperwork and child support calculations
These services help you understand procedures and forms but do not provide legal advice.
Tips for Filing in Los Angeles
- 1Attach LA's own Family Law Case Cover Sheet (form FAM020) to your petition — Local Rule 5.2 requires it with the first paper in every family law case.
- 2Pick your courthouse deliberately: Local Rule 2.3 lets you file a family law case in the Central District (Stanley Mosk) or in the district where either spouse lives, and routes some West Valley ZIP codes to Central.
- 3Expect one department for the life of your case — LA family law courts are direct-calendar courts (Local Rule 2.11).
- 4Self-represented filers may e-file through an approved provider but don't have to; fax filing in family law is limited to AB 1058 child-support cases.
- 5Filing together? LA's self-help centers say they will help self-represented spouses with the SB 1427 Joint Petition (FL-700/FL-710).
What to Expect After Filing in Los Angeles
- ✓You'll receive a case number and filed-stamped copies after your petition is accepted.
- ✓LA County provides online case access — check your case status at lacourt.ca.gov.
Processing Times
LA County handles the highest volume of family law cases in California, spread across eleven district courthouses. Court review times for judgment packets vary. Check lacourt.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period. In a traditional divorce it runs from the date your spouse is served; in a joint petition (SB 1427) it runs from the date you file, because there is no service step. Either way this is the legal minimum — no divorce can be finalized before this period passes, regardless of how quickly you complete your paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for divorce online in Los Angeles County?
Yes. The Los Angeles County Superior Court accepts e-filing for family law cases. You complete the entire interview online with MutualFile and get court-ready forms, then submit them to the court yourself — by e-filing through an approved EFSP, in person, or by mail. Availability can vary by document type — check the court website for current eligibility. If you are representing yourself, e-filing is optional — you can still file on paper.
How much does divorce cost in Los Angeles County?
According to the Los Angeles County Superior Court's published fee schedule, the court filing fee is $435 for the Petition and $435 for the Response. Fee waivers (form FW-001) are available for those who qualify. MutualFile's document preparation service starts at $149, and you file the completed forms with the court yourself.
Is the joint petition fee $435 or $870 in Los Angeles County?
$870 — and that is the total for your case, not per spouse. A joint petition (FL-700) for dissolution or legal separation filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court carries one combined $870 fee that covers both spouses' appearances, in place of the separate Petition and Response fees in a traditional filing. If one spouse later revokes the joint petition, the schedule says no additional first-appearance fee is due from either of you. Note: the Los Angeles County Superior Court's own posted fee schedule still describes the $435 Petition line as "including a joint petition" — older wording that predates SB 1427. Family Code §2342.5(h) and the Judicial Council's 2026 schedule set the joint-petition fee at $870, so confirm the amount with the clerk before you pay. The $435 figure applies only to a joint petition for summary dissolution, a separate short-marriage procedure with strict eligibility limits. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
How long does divorce take in Los Angeles County?
California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period. In a traditional divorce it runs from the date your spouse is served; in a joint petition (SB 1427) it runs from the date you file. This is the legal minimum. The total timeline depends on how quickly you complete paperwork, exchange disclosures, and reach an agreement. LA County handles the highest volume of family law cases in California, spread across eleven district courthouses. Court review times for judgment packets vary. Check lacourt.ca.gov for current processing estimates.
Do I need a lawyer to file for divorce in Los Angeles County?
No. You are not required to have a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in California. Many people successfully file on their own or with the help of a document preparation service like MutualFile. If your case involves complex issues, consulting an attorney is recommended.
What forms do I need to file for divorce in Los Angeles County?
The basic forms include the Petition (FL-100), Summons (FL-110), and if you have children, the Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105). You'll also need financial disclosure forms (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150) and a final Judgment (FL-180). MutualFile generates all required forms automatically based on your answers.
Which courthouse will handle my case?
Most Los Angeles divorces are routed through the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, but depending on your zip code, you may be assigned to Pomona, Santa Monica, Long Beach, or another branch. MutualFile automatically identifies the correct branch for your filing.
Can I file if we have children and a house?
Yes. Unlike Summary Dissolution, MutualFile handles complex cases including child custody (UCCJEA forms) and real estate division. We generate all required forms based on your situation.
Does Los Angeles still accept fax filings in family law?
No. The court stopped accepting fax filings for family litigation cases when it implemented e-filing for those case types. File electronically through an approved EFSP, in person, or by mail. MutualFile prepares your packet; you submit it to the court yourself.
Where do I file my divorce in Los Angeles County?
Under LASC Local Rule 2.3, you can file a family law case at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Central District) or in the district courthouse where you or your spouse lives. One exception: if you live in ZIPs 91301–91307, 91326, 91361 or 91367 you must file in Central or at Chatsworth (North Valley) rather than Van Nuys. Every new case also needs the local Family Law Case Cover Sheet (FAM020).
Do I have to e-file my divorce in Los Angeles?
No. LASC Local Rule 5.6 requires e-filing only for parties who have a lawyer; self-represented filers are exempt but encouraged to e-file through an approved EFSP. If you do e-file, use text-searchable PDFs and upload each document as its own PDF.
Start Your Los Angeles Divorce Online
MutualFile guides you through every step — from interview to court-ready documents, plus instructions for filing them with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Start your case for freeFile for Divorce in Other California Counties
Sources
Court details on this page were checked against these official sources on .
- Superior Court of Los Angeles County
- LASC — Courthouses Handling Family Law
- Judicial Council — Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (eff. 1/1/2026)
- LASC Local Rules Ch. 5 — Family Law (eff. 7/1/2026)
- LASC Local Rules Ch. 2 — Rule 2.3 filing locations (eff. 7/1/2026)
- LASC Family Law Departments Directory (rev. 5/5/26)
- LASC Self-Help Center Locations (rev. 10/6/2025)
- LASC Civil Fee Schedule (Public), January 1, 2026
- LASC press release — Joint Petition (Dec. 29, 2025)
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court procedures and processing times may change. Visit lacourt.ca.gov for current information. If you have questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.