“[Generally], a judgment of marriage dissolution may not be entered unless one of the spouses has been a ‘resident’ of California for six months AND of the county where the proceeding is filed for three months immediately preceding filing of the petition. The six-months/three-months residence prerequisite applies only to marriage dissolutions. There is no residency requirement for filing a nullity or legal separation petition. Spouses who do not presently satisfy the statutory residence requirements but who want to pursue marriage dissolution without delay have the option of filing for legal separation (as to which there is no minimum residence prerequisite) and then amending the petition or response (as the case may be) to request a dissolution once the residence requirements are satisfied.
[California Practice Guide-Family Law [citations to primary sources omitted]]
