How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Alabama?

The cheapest Alabama divorce — uncontested, no lawyer, no children — costs roughly $192 to $340 total. That is the filing fee alone, and it varies by county. Everything else is optional. But the optional costs add up fast if you do not know which ones to avoid.

Filing Fees by County

Alabama has no statewide uniform filing fee. Each county sets its own rate:

• Jefferson County (Birmingham): approximately $215
• Mobile County: approximately $208
• Madison County (Huntsville): $324 to $340
• Shelby County: approximately $295

These fees are non-refundable. If you file in the wrong county and the case gets transferred, you pay again at the new courthouse.

Service of Process Costs

If your spouse signs an Acceptance of Service and Waiver (Form PS-21), there is no service cost. For contested cases or uncooperative spouses:

• Sheriff service: approximately $30
• Certified mail with restricted delivery: postage costs (usually under $15)
• Private process server: $50 to $100 depending on the provider
• Service by publication: $50 to $200+ for newspaper publication fees, plus potential court motion fees

Parenting Class Fees

Counties that require parenting education (including Madison, Lee, Calhoun, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa) charge $30 to $100 per parent for approved courses. Both parents must complete the class and file certificates of completion before the judge will sign the final decree.

Attorney Fees (If You Use One)

• Flat-fee uncontested divorce: $690 (no children) to $890 (with children) plus filing fees at firms like The Harris Firm
• Hourly attorney (contested): $250 to $400 per hour, with retainers starting at $2,500 to $5,000
• Online document services: $137 to $299 (document generation only, no legal advice or filing)

Mediation Costs

If you and your spouse disagree on some issues but want to avoid a full trial, mediation runs $1,000 to $3,000 total. A successful mediation can convert a contested case into an uncontested filing, saving thousands in attorney fees.

Fee Waiver: Filing When You Cannot Afford It

If your income is at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $18,225 annually for an individual in 2026), you may qualify for a fee waiver. File an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (Form C-10) with supporting financial documents — pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements. A judge reviews the request and may waive the filing fee or defer it to the end of the case.

The waiver covers the filing fee but typically does not cover service of process fees, parenting class costs, or certified copy fees.

The Bottom Line

A DIY uncontested divorce with no children in a lower-fee county costs under $250 total. Add children and you are looking at $250 to $450 (filing fee plus parenting classes). A contested divorce with attorneys can exceed $5,000 to $10,000.

The Alabama Divorce Filing Process Guide helps you navigate the cheapest path by mapping every required fee, every optional cost, and every county-specific requirement. Get the complete cost breakdown.

See more Alabama guides →