How to Sign Divorce Papers
How divorce papers should be signed depends primarily on how the documents will be filed and whether a particular document requires notarization. DivorceWriter's filing procedures identify when documents should be signed, whether notarization is required, and when documents can be electronically filed.
Filing Divorce Papers in Person or by Mail
A "wet" signature means signing a paper document with an ink pen. When filing divorce papers in person or by mail, the court clerk generally expects the signed original bearing the wet signature along with the required number of photocopies. DivorceWriter's filing procedures tell you how many copies are needed.
If the filing procedures require an original bearing a wet signature, do not electronically sign the PDF and then print it. Print the document first, sign the original in ink, and make the required photocopies after it has been signed.
Electronically Signing Divorce Papers for E-filing
After receiving and downloading your DivorceWriter documents, documents that are going to be electronically filed can be signed electronically. Courts allow filers to sign electronically by typing their first and last name on the signature line using the electronic signature format prescribed in their state. Common formats include /s/ Jane Smith, /s/Jane Smith, and Jane Smith. See the state-specific formats below. Another option is to sign the document with a handwritten ink signature and then use a scanning app to convert it to a PDF. When permitted, electronic signatures can also be added using electronic signature services such as DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, PandaDoc, or another e-signing service. DivorceWriter can be used regardless of the e-signing method you choose.
/s/ Jane Smith: Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.
/s/Jane Smith: Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, New Hampshire.
Jane Smith: Arkansas, Connecticut, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota.
S/Jane Smith: Colorado.
/S/ Jane Smith: Montana.
s/Jane Smith: New Jersey, Tennessee.
s/ Jane Smith: Oregon.
/s/ JANE SMITH: Rhode Island.
Electronically signed by Jane Smith: Wisconsin.
Format varies by filing court or parish: Louisiana, Ohio.
Electronic filing not generally available to self-represented filers: Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Virginia.
What If a Divorce Document Must Be Notarized?
Some divorce documents must be signed in the presence of a notary public. DivorceWriter's filing procedures identify documents that require notarization and explain when they should be signed. Do not sign a document that requires notarization before following those instructions.
An electronic signature by itself is not a notarization. Depending on the state and the document, notarization may be completed in person or through remote online notarization. With remote online notarization, the signer and notary meet by live video and the document is signed and notarized electronically.
Learn more about how to get divorce documents notarized online.
When to Sign Divorce Papers
DivorceWriter's step-by-step filing procedures tell you the order in which documents should be signed and filed. If documents from a later step may be signed or filed at the same time as documents in an earlier step, the procedures will say so. Otherwise, follow the signing and filing order shown in the procedures.
