Divorce paperwork can vary in complexity from a few dozen pages to several hundred. The basic paperwork in many states includes the original petition, financial affidavits listing all assets and income information for both parties, and a notice of hearing. In addition, there will be a settlement agreement and custody/visitation/support agreements if there are children involved. Proof of residency and a waiver of the necessity for both spouses to appear before the court may also be required. The final divorce decree must be signed by a family court judge to go into effect. Both spouses should request a certified copy of this document for their records. Forms needed to create divorce paperwork can be obtained from the court clerk. The most commonly requested forms are often available online from each state's government's website. Reputable online divorce services sell comprehensive packets that individuals can use to file for divorce. These contain all the necessary paperwork to complete the process.