How to File a Divorce Response in Oregon
If you got served with divorce papers and disagree with what your spouse is asking for, you have 30 days to file a "Divorce Response." This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to accomplish this critical step.
- Step 1: Read your spouse's divorce paperwork and note where you disagree
- Step 2: Find and print your court forms
- Step 3: Fill out your divorce response form
- Step 4: Complete the confidential information form and notice
- Step 5: Make a copy of your forms and mail them to your spouse
- Step 6: File your forms and pay the filing fee
- Step 7: You're done!
Step 1: Read your spouse's divorce paperwork and note where you disagree
Review the details of your spouse's "Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" (or "divorce petition") to understand what they are asking for in the divorce. Circle the parts you disagree with.
Step 2: Find and print your court forms
You can find free forms on the Oregon Judicial Department website. Click on the forms for "Respondents." The forms you'll need are:
- "Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage"
- "Confidential Information Form"
- "Notice of Filing Confidential Information Form"
You can also get copies of these forms from your local courthouse for a small fee.
Step 3: Fill out your divorce response form
The most important form is the "Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" (or "divorce response"). This form tells your spouse and the court what issues you don't agree on.
Step 4: Complete the confidential information form and notice
The Confidential Information Form (CIF) asks for personal information about you, like your Social Security Number and date of birth. If you don't have all the information, leaving some items blank is okay.
Unlike most court forms you file, the CIF isn't publicly available. Your spouse also doesn't get a copy of this form. The information on this form is just for court staff to see.
Since this form is private, you also need to fill out a form called the "Notice of Filing Confidential Information Form." This tells your spouse that you filled out the CIF.
Step 5: Make a copy of your forms and mail them to your spouse
After completing your forms, make copies of these two forms to mail to your spouse:
- "Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage"
- “Notice of Filing Confidential Information Form”
You don't need to make a copy of your “Confidential Information Form” because this form doesn't get mailed to your spouse.
Mail the forms to your spouse by regular United States Postal Service (USPS) mail. No need to use certified or registered mail.
Step 6: File your forms and pay the filing fee
You must file the original forms at the circuit court where your spouse filed for divorce. If you can't go in person, call the court to learn about other methods for turning in your forms.
Additionally, you'll need to pay a $301 filing fee. If you can't afford the fee, ask court staff about getting a “fee waiver or deferral,” so you don’t have to pay the fee or can pay it later.
Step 7: You're done!
Congratulations on filing your Divorce Response!
However, this is just the first step in the contested divorce process. Read all the paperwork you receive from the court to understand your next steps.
Now is also a good time to try and compromise with your spouse on some or all of your disagreements. Visit this page to learn more about divorce settlements and agreements.