Texas divorce timeline (2026)
Every uncontested Texas divorce is governed by the 60-day waiting period, so even a fully agreed case cannot finish sooner. From filing to a signed decree, most cooperative couples are looking at roughly 60 to 90 days once you add the prove-up hearing date.
Residency requirement
One spouse must have lived in Texas 6 months, and in the filing county 90 days
Waiting period
60 daysCounted from the day the petition is filed; waivable only in narrow family-violence situations.
- 1
Meet the residency rule
Six months in Texas and 90 days in your filing county before you file.
- 2
File the original petition
Submit to the district clerk and pay the filing fee (or file the waiver of costs).
- 3
Spouse signs a waiver
Your spouse signs and notarizes a Waiver of Service after filing.
- 4
60-day waiting period
State law bars finalizing the divorce until 60 days after filing.
- 5
Prove-up hearing and decree
Attend a brief hearing; the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce.
In short, expect a 60-day waiting period in Texas, plus your county's scheduling time. Our filing checklist keeps the stages in order.
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