Tennessee Divorce Filing by County: Davidson, Shelby, Knox, and Hamilton

Tennessee's 95 counties each run their court systems with local variations — different courts, different fees, different hearing rules. Filing fees vary by $100 or more between counties, and some allow remote hearings while others require you to appear in person. Here is what you need to know for the four largest metro areas.

Davidson County (Nashville)

Court: Circuit Court — Domestic Division. All divorces in Davidson County go through Circuit Court, not Chancery Court.

Filing fees (2026):

• Without minor children: $234.50
• With minor children: $309.50
• Sheriff service (if needed): $52.00

Hearing rules: Davidson County has strict in-person appearance requirements for pro se filers. Represented parties may request alternative arrangements, but self-represented litigants must appear before the judge in person for the final hearing.

Notable local rules: You must file an Order Setting Final Hearing (Form 8A) before the clerk will schedule your hearing date. The court docket is busy — expect two to four weeks between requesting a date and your actual hearing.

Davidson County also has a self-help center at the courthouse that can help you identify the correct forms and understand the filing sequence. They cannot provide legal advice.

Shelby County (Memphis)

Court: Circuit Court — 30th Judicial District. Divorces go through Circuit Court.

Filing fees (2026):

• Without minor children: $225.00
• With minor children: $300.00
• Sheriff service: $58.00

Hearing rules: Shelby County is the most flexible of Tennessee's major counties for pro se filers. For uncontested divorces, the court permits finalization via written affidavit and interrogatories — meaning you may be able to skip the in-person hearing entirely. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current availability of this option.

Notable local rules: Shelby County has its own pre-approved divorce forms that include county-specific formatting. Download them from the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk's website rather than using the standard statewide forms. The county also operates a family law facilitator program to assist self-represented litigants.

Knox County (Knoxville)

Court: Chancery Court — 4th Chancery Division. Unlike most Tennessee counties, Knox County routes all divorces through Chancery Court, not Circuit Court.

Filing fees (2026):

• Without minor children: $234.50
• With minor children: $309.50
• Sheriff service: $42.00

Hearing rules: Knox County requires an in-person "prove-up" hearing for all divorces with no exceptions. At least one spouse must appear before the Chancellor and answer verification questions under oath.

Notable local rules: Knox County Chancery Court has specific requirements for how the Marital Dissolution Agreement must be formatted and presented. The court does not accept alternative formats or templates that do not conform to local practice. Check with the Chancery Court clerk's office for current formatting requirements.

Knox County also has the lowest sheriff service fee among the major metro counties at $42.00.

Hamilton County (Chattanooga)

Court: Circuit Court — 11th Judicial District. Divorces go through Circuit Court.

Filing fees (2026):

• Without minor children: $239.50
• With minor children: $314.50
• Sheriff service: $52.00

Hearing rules: Hamilton County has restricted rules on waiving in-person appearances. Requests to appear remotely or by affidavit require specific approval from the clerk and master — and approval is not guaranteed.

Notable local rules: Hamilton County courts encourage (and in some contested cases, mandate) mediation before setting a trial date. For uncontested filings, the process is straightforward, but the county's hearing scheduling can be slower than Nashville or Knoxville.

Service by publication in Hamilton County goes through the Hamilton County Herald newspaper, with publication costs around $55.00 for four consecutive weekly insertions.

Other County Considerations

For smaller counties not listed here, the key questions to answer before filing:

1. Circuit or Chancery? Call the county clerk and ask which court handles divorce cases.
2. Filing fees? Request the current fee schedule — base filing fee plus any county-specific surcharges.
3. Sheriff service fee? Each county's sheriff department sets its own service fee.
4. Hearing requirements? Ask whether in-person appearance is required for uncontested final hearings or if alternative arrangements exist.

Filing fees in rural Tennessee counties can run higher than urban areas — Roane County, for example, charges $274.50 without children and $349.50 with children, among the highest in the state.

The Tennessee Divorce Filing Process Guide provides county-specific filing details including court type, fee schedules, and local procedural requirements, so you know exactly what to expect at your courthouse.

See more Tennessee guides →