How Much Does It Cost to File for Divorce? State-by-State Filing Fees

The court filing fee is the one unavoidable cost of divorce — you cannot get divorced without paying it (unless you qualify for a waiver). But the range is enormous: from around $50 in some states to over $400 in others, before you add service costs and certified copies.

Here is what you will actually pay, broken down by category.

Court Filing Fees Across the US

Filing fees vary by state and sometimes by county. These are the ranges you can expect:

• Under $100: Mississippi (~$50), Wyoming (~$70), Montana (~$80)
• $100–$200: Texas ($300+ in most counties), Ohio ($150–$350 depending on county), Michigan ($150–$175)
• $200–$350: New York ($210+), Florida ($300+), Illinois ($289–$337), Pennsylvania ($200–$350)
• Over $350: California ($435–$450), Connecticut ($360)

The responding spouse may also owe a separate filing fee for their answer, typically $50–$150 less than the petitioner's fee.

Important: These fees change frequently. Always verify the current amount on your county court's website before filing. Some courts now require e-filing, which may include an additional electronic processing surcharge of $5–$20.

Filing Fees Outside the US

International filers face their own fee structures:

• Canada (Ontario): $157 CAD for a joint application, $212 CAD for a sole application
• England & Wales: £593 for the online divorce application through HMCTS
• Australia: $1,060 AUD (reduced to $355 AUD with a fee reduction certificate)
• Ireland: €190 Circuit Court filing fee
• New Zealand: $211.50 NZD for a joint application
• Singapore: $50 SGD simplified filing

Fee Waivers: Filing for Free

Every US state offers a fee waiver process for low-income filers. You typically qualify if you:

• Receive government assistance (SNAP, SSI, TANF, Medicaid)
• Have a household income below 125–200% of the federal poverty level
• Can demonstrate that paying the fee would prevent you from affording basic necessities

To apply, you file a fee waiver petition (often called an "In Forma Pauperis" application) alongside your divorce petition. The judge reviews it and either grants it immediately or schedules a brief hearing.

In England and Wales, the £593 fee can be fully waived through the Help with Fees scheme (form EX160). Australia's fee reduction certificate cuts the cost from $1,060 to $355 AUD.

Beyond the Filing Fee: Other Costs to Budget For

The filing fee is just the entry point. Additional costs include:

• Service of process: $25–$100 for sheriff or process server (skip this entirely with a voluntary waiver of service in uncontested cases)
• Certified copies of the decree: $5–$25 per copy (you will need 3–5 copies for name changes, bank updates, and title transfers)
• Parenting class fees: $14.94–$110 per person where mandatory
• QDRO preparation: $299–$900 if you need to split retirement accounts through a specialist
• Notarization: $5–$15 per document in states requiring notarized signatures

The Real Cost Comparison

An uncontested divorce where both spouses handle the paperwork themselves typically costs $300–$700 total, including the filing fee, service, and certified copies. Compare that to:

• Attorney-represented uncontested divorce: $1,000–$4,000 per spouse in flat fees
• Online document preparation service: $137–$499
• Traditional contested divorce: $11,300 average per spouse in attorney fees alone

The filing fee is a fixed cost you cannot negotiate. Everything else depends on how prepared you are before you walk into the clerk's office.

The Uncontested Divorce Step-by-Step Roadmap includes a divorce budget worksheet that maps every potential cost — from filing fees through post-decree expenses — so you know the total before you start.