An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree on the major terms — property division, support, and custody if there are children — before ever filing. It's typically faster and cheaper than a contested divorce, but it still runs entirely on paperwork being complete and correctly filed.
The core filing
Most jurisdictions require a divorce petition (or complaint) that states the grounds for divorce and basic information about the marriage, along with proof the other spouse was properly served or has formally waived service.
The marital settlement agreement
This is the document that actually carries the terms both spouses agreed to — how property and debts are divided, spousal support if any, and, when children are involved, custody, parenting time, and child support. Courts scrutinize this document closely before finalizing the divorce.
Financial disclosures
Many courts require both spouses to file financial affidavits or disclosure statements listing income, assets, and debts, even when the divorce is uncontested — skipping or rushing this is a common reason filings get sent back.
Why 'uncontested' doesn't mean 'simple'
Agreeing on terms is the hard part; translating that agreement into documents the court will actually accept — with the right findings, calculations, and formatting — is where uncontested divorces most often get delayed.