California Form FL-800 is the Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution of Marriage, the short, simplified divorce petition that spouses sign together when they meet every condition in Family Code §§ 2400–2406. Both spouses file this single document at the superior court in the county where at least one of them lives, and the marriage ends six months and one day later if neither spouse revokes the case before the judgment is entered.
Roughly 1 in 7 California divorces use the summary path, and the Judicial Council of California reports that filers who skip the official Summary Dissolution Information booklet (FL-810) get rejected at intake more than 30% of the time for missing checkboxes or unsigned property agreements. This guide walks you through every box, every signature line, and every attachment so your packet clears the clerk on the first pass.
- 📋 What FL-800 does, who qualifies, and the exact eligibility limits in Family Code § 2400
- 🖊️ A line-by-line, box-by-box walkthrough with sample entries you can copy
- 👨👩👧 Three named scenarios showing what real couples write in each section
- 💵 Filing fees, fee waivers, e-filing portals, and county drop-box rules
- ⚖️ The 6-month wait, revocation rights, and the FL-825 judgment that finalizes everything
What Form FL-800 Is and Who Must File It
Form FL-800 is the Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution of Marriage or Domestic Partnership, published by the Judicial Council of California and revised January 1, 2023. It combines what would otherwise be a Petition (FL-100) and a Response (FL-120) into one document that both spouses sign together, eliminating the contested back-and-forth of a regular dissolution. Couples use it only when they agree on everything, qualify under every statutory limit, and want the cheapest, fastest divorce California offers.
To file FL-800, both spouses must meet every condition in Family Code § 2400: the marriage lasted under five years on the date of separation, the couple has no minor children together (born or adopted before or during the marriage), neither spouse owns real estate (other than a one-year residential lease without a purchase option), community debts are under $7,000 (excluding car loans), community property is worth less than $53,000, separate property is worth less than $53,000 each, and both spouses waive spousal support. Missing even one limit forces the couple into a regular dissolution under FL-100.
The form is filed with the Superior Court of California in the county where either spouse has lived for the past three months, after meeting the six-month California residency requirement under Family Code § 2320. The court keeps the case open for at least six months, then enters the Judgment of Dissolution (FL-825) that legally ends the marriage. Either spouse can stop the case any time before judgment by filing a Notice of Revocation (FL-830).
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
The clerk will reject an FL-800 packet that arrives without its companion documents, so gather everything before you open the form. The California Courts Self-Help Center lists the full intake checklist, but most counties also require local cover sheets you should download from your county court’s website.
- Both spouses’ full legal names and any former names — needed for the caption and the restoration-of-former-name box; missing a former name means a separate name-change petition later.
- Date of marriage and date of separation — the gap between them must be under five years, and a wrong separation date is the single most common reason FL-800 cases get bounced back.
- Current mailing addresses for both spouses — both will receive court notices; a stale address means you miss the judgment and stay legally married.
- Government-issued ID for each spouse — clerks often spot-check IDs at intake, especially for in-person filing.
- A signed, written Property Settlement Agreement — required if you have any community property or debts to divide; without it the judge cannot confirm a clean split.
- Itemized list of community property and community debts with values — needed to confirm you are under the $53,000 and $7,000 caps in Family Code § 2400.
- Itemized list of each spouse’s separate property — each spouse must stay under the $53,000 separate property cap.
- A signed waiver of spousal support — the FL-800 itself contains this waiver, but a side agreement strengthens it.
- Filing fee or completed Fee Waiver (FW-001) — the base fee is roughly $435–$450 depending on county; without it, the clerk will not stamp the case.
- A blank Judgment (FL-825) for later — most courts require it submitted with the petition so the judge can sign it after the six-month wait.
Couples who gather these items first usually finish the form in under an hour, while couples who improvise often discover halfway through that they do not actually qualify for summary dissolution at all.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, fillable PDF lives on the Judicial Council forms page and is free to download, print, or type into directly. The form is also available in Spanish as FL-800 S, though only the English version may be filed with the court. Always pull a fresh copy each time you file, because the Judicial Council updates forms every January and July, and clerks reject outdated revisions.
Many counties also offer the form through their local self-help center. The Sacramento County Family Law Facilitator, the Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help, and the San Diego Family Law Facilitator all distribute the form along with county-specific cover sheets. If you are filing in person, the court clerk’s office keeps paper copies behind the counter at no charge.
To file electronically, use your county’s e-filing vendor — examples include File & ServeXpress, One Legal, and Odyssey eFileCA. Each vendor charges a small per-document fee on top of the court filing fee. The California Courts e-filing directory lists which counties mandate e-filing and which still accept paper.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form FL-800 Line by Line
FL-800 is four pages long and divided into a caption, six numbered sections of factual statements, the property and debt agreement, the spousal support waiver, the restoration-of-name box, and the joint signature block. Use blue or black ink only, write in block capitals, and never use correction fluid because the clerk treats whited-out forms as altered documents.
Caption Box: Court, Parties, and Case Number
The caption is the top section of Page 1, where you identify the court and both spouses. It looks like a standard pleading caption with boxes for Superior Court of California, County of ____, the street and mailing address of the court, the branch name, and the names of Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2.
Write the county name in all caps (ALAMEDA, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO) and copy the court address exactly as it appears on the court directory. Enter both spouses’ full legal names, last name first, in the Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2 fields. Leave the case number blank — the clerk assigns it when you file.
For example, Lopez, Maria Elena and Lopez, Daniel James would appear stacked in the petitioner fields, with ALAMEDA in the county line and 24201 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544 as the address. If you have a P.O. Box but no street address, use your residential address here, not the box, because the court must verify residency.
A common mistake is listing only one spouse as petitioner — FL-800 is a joint petition, and the clerk will reject any version that lacks both names in the caption. Many filers also wrongly believe they can file in any county; you must file where at least one spouse has lived for three months, per Family Code § 2320.
Section 1: Residency
Section 1 asks whether both spouses meet the California residency requirement. The form contains a single checkbox that reads We have read and understand the Summary Dissolution Information booklet (form FL-810).
Check the box only after you have actually read FL-810 — the booklet is short and explains every eligibility limit in plain English. Both spouses must check it; an unchecked box gets the petition flagged at intake.
For example, Maria and Daniel both read FL-810 the night before signing, then check the single box in Section 1. If only one spouse has read the booklet, hold off filing until the other reads it, because the form swears under penalty of perjury that both have read it.
The most common mistake here is treating Section 1 as optional fine print. The misconception is that the booklet is informational only; it is actually the statutory eligibility checklist, and missing one limit (such as the five-year marriage cap) invalidates the entire filing.
Section 2: Marriage Information
Section 2 has two date fields: Date of marriage and Date of separation. Both must be filled in using MM/DD/YYYY format.
Pull the marriage date from your marriage certificate (county recorder copy), and use the date you and your spouse stopped living as a married couple as the separation date — even if you still share a roof. Under Family Code § 70, separation begins when one spouse expresses the intent to end the marriage and acts consistently with that intent.
For example, Maria writes 06/12/2021 as the date of marriage and 02/04/2025 as the date of separation, giving a marriage length of three years and seven months — well under the five-year cap. The gap between the two dates must be less than 60 months on the day you sign.
A common mistake is using the date someone moved out instead of the legal separation date. The consequence is that the court may calculate the marriage as too long and bounce the case to a regular dissolution. The misconception is that you must be physically apart to be separated; California allows in-house separation if both spouses act and live independently.
Section 3: Statement of Eligibility (the Six Checkboxes)
Section 3 contains six checkbox statements that mirror Family Code § 2400. Each box must be checked, or the case is ineligible for summary dissolution.
The boxes confirm: (a) irreconcilable differences caused the breakdown of the marriage, (b) there are no minor children of the relationship and neither spouse is pregnant, (c) neither spouse owns real estate other than a residential lease under one year, (d) community debts are under $7,000 excluding car loans, (e) community property is worth less than $53,000 excluding car loans, and (f) neither spouse has separate property worth more than $53,000 excluding car loans.
For example, Daniel and Maria check all six boxes after totaling their joint checking ($2,400), shared furniture (~$3,500), her separate inheritance ($18,000), and his separate brokerage account ($21,000) — every figure sits under the cap. If even one figure exceeds a cap, do not check the box and do not file FL-800.
The most common mistake is guessing values instead of pricing assets. The consequence is that an audit during the judgment review can void the dissolution. The misconception is that “community property” means only big-ticket items; it includes every dollar earned and every item bought during the marriage by either spouse.
Section 4: Spousal Support Waiver
Section 4 is the joint waiver of spousal support. The form states that we waive any rights to spousal support.
Both spouses must agree to give up alimony forever; this waiver is permanent and unmodifiable once the judgment enters. Read the language out loud together before signing, because California courts will not later award support to either spouse no matter how circumstances change.
For example, Maria and Daniel both earn similar salaries as nurses, so neither needs ongoing support, and they sign the Section 4 waiver without hesitation. If either spouse expects to need support — for school, a medical condition, or a career gap — do not file FL-800; file a regular dissolution instead.
The most common mistake is signing the waiver to “save time” while privately planning to ask for support later. The consequence is the waiver is final and the request will be denied. The misconception is that you can revisit support like custody — you cannot, because the waiver is res judicata.
Section 5: Property and Debt Division
Section 5 confirms that the spouses have read and understand the property settlement requirements and have signed a written agreement dividing community property and debts.
Attach a typed Property Settlement Agreement (no required Judicial Council form) that lists every community asset, who keeps it, every community debt, and who pays it. Sign and date the agreement in front of a notary if your county requires notarization (Los Angeles and Orange do; many rural counties do not).
For example, Maria and Daniel attach a two-page agreement awarding her the 2019 Honda Civic and the REI checking account, and awarding him the 2018 Toyota Tacoma and the Chase savings account, with each spouse keeping the credit card debt in their own name. The agreement should be filed with the FL-800, stapled at the back.
The most common mistake is filing FL-800 without the written agreement and promising to “sort it out later.” The consequence is rejection at intake or, worse, an unenforceable judgment. The misconception is that an oral agreement counts; under Family Code § 2550, the division must be in writing.
Section 6: Restoration of Former Name
Section 6 is optional and lets either spouse restore a former name as part of the judgment. There are two name-restoration boxes, one for each petitioner.
If you want to restore a former name, write the exact legal name you want restored, including middle name. The court will enter it in the FL-825 judgment, and that judgment becomes proof of the name change for the DMV, Social Security, and your passport.
For example, Maria checks her box and writes Maria Elena Vasquez, restoring her birth name; Daniel leaves his box blank because he kept his name throughout the marriage. You may only restore a name you previously held legally — not a brand-new name.
The most common mistake is leaving the box blank because you “will deal with it later,” then having to file a separate name-change petition that costs another $435. The misconception is that restoring a former name automatically updates federal records; you must take the certified judgment to each agency yourself.
Joint Signature Block
The signature block at the bottom of Page 4 requires both spouses to sign and date the form under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California.
Sign in blue ink (clerks prefer it for original-versus-copy clarity), print your name beside the signature, and date the form the same day both spouses sign. Both signatures must be on the same physical page — do not sign on separate copies and combine them.
For example, Maria signs and prints Maria Elena Lopez on the Petitioner 1 line, dates it 03/15/2026, and Daniel signs and prints Daniel James Lopez on the Petitioner 2 line, dates it 03/15/2026. If a notary is required by your county, both spouses appear together in front of the notary.
The most common mistake is signing on different days or using digital signatures the court does not accept. The consequence is rejection and a return trip to the clerk. The misconception is that one spouse can sign for the other under power of attorney — California does not allow proxy signatures on dissolution petitions.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named scenarios show how typical California couples complete FL-800 from caption to signature. Each table uses real entries you can adapt to your own facts.
Scenario 1 — Maria and Daniel Lopez (3-year childless marriage, minimal property)
| Form Section | What Maria and Daniel Enter |
|---|---|
| County of filing | ALAMEDA |
| Petitioner 1 / Petitioner 2 | Lopez, Maria Elena / Lopez, Daniel James |
| Section 1 (FL-810 read) | ☑ Checked by both spouses |
| Section 2 (dates) | Marriage: 06/12/2021; Separation: 02/04/2025 |
| Section 3 (eligibility) | All six boxes checked |
| Section 4 (support waiver) | Both spouses waive spousal support |
| Section 5 (property) | Two-page Property Settlement Agreement attached |
| Section 6 (name restore) | Maria: Maria Elena Vasquez; Daniel: blank |
| Signatures and date | Both sign 03/15/2026 in Hayward, CA |
Scenario 2 — Aisha and Jordan Bell (4-year marriage, written support waiver, small bank account)
| Form Section | What Aisha and Jordan Enter |
|---|---|
| County of filing | SAN DIEGO |
| Petitioner 1 / Petitioner 2 | Bell, Aisha Renee / Bell, Jordan Michael |
| Section 1 (FL-810 read) | ☑ Checked by both spouses |
| Section 2 (dates) | Marriage: 09/02/2021; Separation: 11/10/2025 |
| Section 3 (eligibility) | All six boxes checked; community property valued at $11,200 |
| Section 4 (support waiver) | Both waive; side waiver letter notarized |
| Section 5 (property) | Agreement awards Aisha the Wells Fargo joint account; Jordan keeps the 2020 Subaru |
| Section 6 (name restore) | Aisha: Aisha Renee Carter; Jordan: blank |
| Signatures and date | Both sign 01/22/2026 before a San Diego notary |
Scenario 3 — Carlos and Priya Mendoza (just under 5-year cap, shared car and joint debts)
| Form Section | What Carlos and Priya Enter |
|---|---|
| County of filing | LOS ANGELES |
| Petitioner 1 / Petitioner 2 | Mendoza, Carlos Andres / Mendoza, Priya Kaur |
| Section 1 (FL-810 read) | ☑ Checked by both spouses |
| Section 2 (dates) | Marriage: 07/04/2021; Separation: 05/01/2026 |
| Section 3 (eligibility) | All six boxes checked; community debt $4,800; community property $48,500 |
| Section 4 (support waiver) | Both waive; included in settlement agreement |
| Section 5 (property) | 2018 Honda Accord to Carlos; Chase joint savings ($6,200) to Priya; Visa balance ($2,400) to Carlos |
| Section 6 (name restore) | Carlos: blank; Priya: Priya Kaur Singh |
| Signatures and date | Both sign 04/30/2026 at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file FL-800 four ways: in person, by mail, through a court drop box, or via your county’s e-filing portal. Confirm your county’s options on the California Courts find-my-court page before you head out, because some counties (like Orange and Los Angeles) require e-filing for most family law cases.
- In person. Bring the original FL-800, two copies, the Property Settlement Agreement, FL-825 (blank), and the filing fee to the clerk’s window. The clerk stamps each copy Filed, hands two back, and assigns the case number. Keep one stamped copy for each spouse. Fees range from roughly $435 to $450 depending on county; counties accept cash, check, money order, and most credit cards.
- By mail. Send the originals plus copies, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to Clerk of the Superior Court to the family law filing address listed on your county court site. Processing takes 2–4 weeks; the clerk mails back the conformed copies. Always send certified mail with return receipt as proof of filing.
- Drop box. Many counties (Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Bernardino) offer 24-hour drop boxes outside the courthouse. Drop the packet in a sealed envelope marked Family Law Filings; the clerk processes it the next business day and mails the conformed copies. Drop-box filings still require the full fee or a granted FW-001 fee waiver.
- E-filing. Log into your county’s vendor portal — for example, Odyssey eFileCA for Sacramento and Fresno, One Legal for Los Angeles, or File & ServeXpress for several Bay Area counties. Upload the FL-800 PDF, the property agreement, and FL-825, then pay the court fee plus a vendor fee (typically $7–$15). You receive a date-stamped electronic confirmation that serves as proof of filing.
After filing, calendar the date six months and one day forward — that is the earliest the court can sign the judgment. Save your conformed copy in a fireproof place, because you may need it for refinancing, remarriage, or immigration.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk stamps your FL-800, the case is officially open and the six-month statutory waiting period under Family Code § 2339 begins. Neither spouse can remarry until the judgment is entered, but you can live separately, change beneficiaries, and reorganize finances during this window.
After six months and one day, either spouse files a Request for Judgment, Notice of Entry of Judgment, and Judgment (FL-825). Many courts require the FL-825 packet to be submitted at the time you file FL-800 so the judge can sign automatically once the wait expires. The clerk mails each spouse a Notice of Entry of Judgment, and on that date the marriage legally ends.
If either spouse changes their mind before judgment, they can file a Notice of Revocation of Petition for Summary Dissolution (FL-830) at any time before the judgment is entered. Once revoked, the case dies and any future divorce must start over with FL-100. Couples who reconcile permanently should always file FL-830 to avoid an automatic judgment they did not want.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each FL-800 mistake below has a direct, predictable consequence — most are intake rejections, but a few create void judgments that haunt filers years later.
- Using an outdated form revision. Clerks reject any FL-800 not bearing the Rev. January 1, 2023 footer (or the current revision); the rejection delays the case at least two weeks.
- Listing only one petitioner. FL-800 is a joint petition, and a single-petitioner version is procedurally void.
- Wrong separation date. A date that pushes the marriage over five years disqualifies the case from summary dissolution entirely.
- Skipping the Section 1 box. An unchecked FL-810 box means the spouses did not certify reading the booklet, and the clerk treats it as a defective filing.
- Failing to attach the Property Settlement Agreement. Without it, the judge has no basis to confirm the property division, and the judgment will not enter.
- Guessing community property values. Underestimating to slip under $53,000 is fraud and can void the judgment under Family Code § 2122.
- Using correction fluid or crossing out boxes. Clerks reject altered forms; reprint and start fresh instead.
- Signing on different dates. Mismatched signature dates suggest the form was not jointly executed and trigger a hand-back at intake.
- Forgetting the FL-825 Judgment. Many counties require it filed with FL-800, and forgetting it adds a separate trip and a second processing wait.
- Naming children that are not minors. FL-800 disqualifies any couple with shared minor children, but adult children should not be listed at all — listing them confuses the clerk and slows processing.
- Filing in the wrong county. Cases filed outside the county of either spouse’s residence get transferred or dismissed under Code of Civil Procedure § 397.
- Skipping the spousal support waiver discussion. A regretful waiver cannot be undone, and “I didn’t realize” is not a defense.
Do’s and Don’ts
These rules come from years of clerk feedback and family law facilitator guidance.
- Do read FL-810 cover to cover — it doubles as the eligibility checklist.
- Do price every asset using current market value; use Kelley Blue Book for cars and recent statements for accounts.
- Do keep two stamped copies of every filed document, one for each spouse, in separate locations.
- Do calendar the six-month-and-one-day mark the moment you file.
- Do check your county’s local rules, because Los Angeles, Orange, and San Francisco add cover sheets that other counties do not.
- Do call your county’s family law facilitator with any uncertainty — the service is free and prevents most rejections.
- Don’t sign FL-800 if either of you is pregnant, even with a different partner — Section 3(b) covers any pregnancy, not just shared pregnancies.
- Don’t waive spousal support if either spouse plans to attend school, take a medical leave, or stop working soon.
- Don’t file FL-800 if you own any real estate, including timeshares, vacant lots, or out-of-state property.
- Don’t submit photocopies as originals; the court requires wet-ink signatures unless you e-file.
- Don’t assume your marriage length stops at the date someone moved out — California uses the date of intent to end the marriage.
- Don’t ignore your spouse’s failure to read the booklet; both must read FL-810 truthfully.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most summary dissolution couples file pro se, but understanding the tradeoffs helps you decide whether to spend on a lawyer or family law facilitator.
Pros of filing on your own
- Cost savings. You pay only the $435–$450 filing fee instead of $1,500–$3,000 for an attorney-prepared summary dissolution.
- Speed. A self-prepared FL-800 can be filed the same week, while attorneys often take two to four weeks to draft.
- Privacy. Fewer people see your finances and personal information.
- Control. You decide every word in the property agreement, not a third party.
- Free help available. Every county’s family law facilitator reviews FL-800 packets at no charge.
Cons of filing on your own
- Easy to miss eligibility limits. A misjudged property value voids the judgment.
- No legal advice on the support waiver. A waiver you regret is permanent.
- County-specific local rules. Each county adds its own cover sheets, and missing one means rejection.
- No help if your spouse changes their mind. A revoked summary dissolution forces a contested case from scratch.
- No tax guidance. Property transfers can trigger capital gains issues a lawyer would flag.
Summary Dissolution vs. Regular Dissolution
| Feature | Summary Dissolution (FL-800) |
|---|---|
| Marriage length | Under 5 years on date of separation |
| Children | No minor children together; no current pregnancy |
| Real estate | No real property owned by either spouse |
| Community property cap | Under $53,000 (excluding cars) |
| Community debt cap | Under $7,000 (excluding cars) |
| Spousal support | Both spouses must waive |
| Filing fee | Roughly $435–$450, one-time |
| Waiting period | 6 months from filing date |
| Joint or separate filing | Joint petition signed by both spouses |
| Revocation | Either spouse can revoke before judgment using FL-830 |
FAQs
Can we file FL-800 if we have one minor child together?
No. FL-800 is unavailable if you share any minor child by birth or adoption, or if either spouse is currently pregnant. File a regular dissolution using FL-100 instead.
Do both spouses need to sign FL-800?
Yes. FL-800 is a joint petition, and both signatures must appear on the same original form, dated the same day, or the clerk will reject the filing at intake.
How long does summary dissolution take in California?
Yes, there is a fixed timeline — six months and one day from the filing date until the FL-825 judgment is signed, the same waiting period required for any California divorce.
Can I restore my maiden name on FL-800?
Yes. Section 6 lets either spouse restore any former legal name. Write the exact name in the box, and the FL-825 judgment will serve as proof for the DMV and Social Security.
Do I write my married name or maiden name in the Petitioner box?
Yes, use your current legal name as it appears on your ID. If you want a former name restored, that goes only in Section 6, not the caption.
What date goes in the date-of-separation field?
Yes, use the date one spouse first told the other the marriage was over and acted consistently with that intent, even if you still shared a home, per Family Code § 70.
Do I check Section 3(c) if I rent an apartment?
Yes. A residential lease under one year with no purchase option does not count as real estate. A month-to-month rental qualifies.
Can we waive spousal support and change our mind later?
No. The Section 4 waiver is permanent and binding once the judgment enters. Neither spouse can request support afterward, regardless of changed circumstances.
Is the filing fee refundable if we revoke?
No. The court keeps the filing fee even if you file FL-830 to revoke before judgment. Apply for a fee waiver before filing if cost is an issue.
Can we file FL-800 if we live in different counties?
Yes. File in whichever county either spouse has lived in for the past three months. The non-resident spouse’s address is still listed in the caption.
Do we need a notary for the Property Settlement Agreement?
No statewide rule requires it, but Los Angeles, Orange, and a few other counties require notarization, so check your local rules before signing.
Does FL-800 end domestic partnerships too?
Yes. The same form dissolves a registered domestic partnership under Family Code § 299, provided the partnership meets the same eligibility limits.
What if one spouse refuses to sign at the last minute?
No summary dissolution is possible without both signatures. Switch to a regular dissolution by filing FL-100 on your own.
Can we e-file FL-800 in every California county?
No. E-filing availability varies; check the California Courts e-filing directory to confirm whether your county uses Odyssey, One Legal, or paper-only filing.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-460 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-820 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-906 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-825 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-940 (w/Examples) + FAQs