How to File a Divorce Response in Oregon
Were you served with divorce papers from another state? Each state has different divorce rules and forms, so this article may not apply to you. To get help, call the court listed on the papers, talk to a lawyer in the state where the divorce was filed, or search for information on how to respond to a divorce in that state.
If you got served with Oregon divorce papers, you need to act quickly. If you disagree with what's in your spouse's papers, you have 30 days to file a "Divorce Response" form with the court. This guide will help you understand how to accomplish this important step.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ways to submit 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.
Congratulations on filing your Divorce Response!