Michigan Divorce Filing Fees and How to Get a Fee Waiver

The court filing fee is the first real cost of a Michigan divorce, and it's non-negotiable — the clerk won't accept your complaint without it. But the filing fee is just the baseline. Process server costs, motion fees, and county-specific surcharges add up fast if you don't budget for them upfront.

Base Filing Fees

Michigan Circuit Courts charge two rates:

• $175 for divorces without minor children
• $255 for divorces with minor children (the additional $80 covers Friend of the Court services)

These are statewide baseline fees set by the Michigan Supreme Court. Some counties add local technology surcharges or administrative fees on top — check your specific county clerk's fee schedule before filing. Submitting the wrong payment amount can delay the processing of your complaint.

Additional Costs Beyond the Filing Fee

The filing fee is just the entry point. Budget for these additional expenses:

Process server fees: $20–$75. Someone other than you must serve your spouse. Professional process servers charge $20–$75 in most Michigan counties. The county sheriff's office is often the cheapest option. A friend or family member over 18 can serve for free, but they must complete the Proof of Service form correctly.

Motion fees: $20 per motion. Every motion you file after the initial complaint — temporary orders, discovery requests, fee waiver appeals — costs $20. In a contested case, these add up.

SMILE program fees: $0–$50. If you have children, you'll need to complete a court-approved parenting education program. Costs vary by county and format.

Certified copies: $10–$15 each. You'll need certified copies of the Judgment of Divorce for name changes, property transfers, and other post-judgment tasks. Order at least three.

QDRO preparation: $400–$850. If retirement accounts need to be divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (or EDRO for Michigan public pensions) typically requires a specialist.

For a straightforward uncontested divorce without children, total out-of-pocket costs typically run $200–$300. With children, expect $300–$500 minimum.

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

If you can't afford the filing fee, Michigan allows you to request a waiver using SCAO Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request). This isn't automatic — you must demonstrate financial need.

Eligibility. The court evaluates your income against 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For 2026, that's approximately $19,763 for a single-person household and $33,475 for a family of three. You also qualify if you currently receive:

• Food Assistance (SNAP/Bridge Card)
• Medicaid
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• MDHHS cash assistance
• Indigent defense (court-appointed attorney in another case)

The application process:

1. Complete SCAO Form MC 20 with your income, assets, monthly expenses, and any government benefits you receive
2. File the form with your complaint — you can submit both together
3. The court reviews and either grants or denies the waiver, typically within a few days

If denied, you can request a de novo review using SCAO Form MC 114 within 14 days. This gets your application reviewed by a judge rather than a clerk. If the judge also denies it, you must pay the filing fee to proceed.

What the waiver covers: Filing fees, motion fees, and transcript costs. It does not cover process server fees, mediation costs, or other third-party expenses.

Payment Methods

Most Michigan courts accept cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards. MiFILE (the electronic filing system) processes credit card payments with a small convenience fee. Some smaller county clerk offices still don't accept cards for in-person filings — call ahead to confirm.

Realistic Total Cost Comparison

Understanding where the $24 guide fits against other options:

• Full attorney representation: $3,500–$10,000+ retainer, $225–$600/hour
• Online document preparation services: $137–$299
• Court filing fees + process server: $195–$330
• The Michigan Divorce Filing Process Guide: A fraction of attorney costs

The court forms themselves are free through Michigan Legal Help. What costs money — and what trips up self-represented filers — is knowing which forms to file, in what order, and by what deadlines. The Michigan Divorce Filing Process Guide provides that procedural roadmap alongside worksheets for financial disclosure, property division, and cost tracking.

See more Michigan guides →