Missouri Divorce Filing Fees: County-by-County Costs

There's No Single Statewide Fee

Missouri doesn't set one uniform divorce filing fee. Each county's Circuit Court sets its own rates, and they vary more than you'd expect. The total cost depends on which county you file in, whether minor children are involved, and how you handle service of process.

For a self-represented filer, the filing fee is typically the single largest out-of-pocket expense — unless you qualify for a waiver.

County Fee Breakdown

Here's what the major counties charge to file a dissolution of marriage:

These numbers include the base dissolution filing fee. Every filing also includes a statewide $10 domestic relations surcharge that funds court mediation and family education programs. Some counties add local surcharges for law libraries, technology funds, or domestic violence shelters.

Rural counties often come in at the lower end. Barry County charges around $100.50. Morgan County runs about $132.50. Lafayette County is similar at $100.50.

Service of Process Adds to the Total

After you file, you need to formally serve your spouse. Each method has its own cost:

Sheriff service: The county sheriff delivers the papers in person. St. Louis County charges $36 flat. Other counties may add mileage charges, so ask the sheriff's office for the current total.

Private process server: If you get court approval for a private server, fees vary by server and county.

Certified mail: A lower-cost option if the court permits it. Postage and mailing charges vary. But your spouse must personally sign the return receipt — anyone else signing makes the service legally defective.

Entry of Appearance: It avoids the paid service fee. If your spouse is cooperative, they sign a notarized Entry of Appearance or file their own Answer, waiving the need for formal service entirely. This may be the least-expensive path, although notary fees may still apply.

The Fee Waiver Option

If you can't afford the filing fee, Missouri allows you to request a fee waiver by filing a "Motion and Affidavit in Support of Request to Proceed as a Poor Person" (Form GN10 / FI-50). You'll need to declare your income, expenses, assets, and debts under oath.

The court uses federal poverty guidelines to evaluate your request. A judge reviews the motion and either grants or denies it.

In Jackson County, the process is faster for people already receiving public benefits. Show documentation of enrollment in SSI, SNAP, TANF, AABD, or General Assistance, and the fee waiver is typically expedited without a lengthy review.

A few things to know about fee waivers:

• They cover the filing fee, but they don't always cover sheriff service costs — ask the clerk
• You can file the waiver motion at the same time as your petition
• If the judge denies your waiver, you'll need to pay the full filing fee before the case proceeds
• The order controls which court costs and expenses are waived; parenting education classes, notary fees, and certified copies may remain out of pocket

The Full Cost Picture

For a pro se filer handling an uncontested divorce, here's a realistic budget:

Compare that to the $13,500 average cost of a Missouri divorce with bilateral attorney representation, or $850–$2,000 for a flat-fee uncontested service, or $137–$949 for an online document platform. Filing pro se with the free court forms is by far the most affordable option — the filing fee is the main court cost, and it can be waived for qualifying filers.

The Missouri Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a county fee directory and helps you organize your budget before you walk into the clerk's office.

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