Tennessee Divorce Filing Fees by County and How to Get Them Waived

The upfront cost of filing for divorce in Tennessee ranges from $225 to $350 for the base court fee alone, depending on your county and whether you have minor children. Tennessee does not have a single statewide fee — counties add local litigation taxes and courthouse surcharges on top of the base fees set by T.C.A. § 8-21-401. Here is what the major counties charge as of January 2026.

Filing Fees by County

The children surcharge adds $75 across most counties because cases involving minors require additional court processing for the Permanent Parenting Plan and child support worksheets.

Total Cost Breakdown

A simple agreed divorce without children in Davidson County costs roughly $234.50 in filing fees plus $5 to $15 for certified copies of the Final Decree. If your spouse signs a Waiver of Service, there are no additional costs.

For cases requiring sheriff service, add the county's fee ($42 to $58). If you use a private process server instead, expect $40 to $100. Certified mail service runs $10 to $15.

Couples with children also pay $40 to $100 per parent for the mandatory four-hour parenting education seminar. Some online providers charge as little as $25.

The total realistic range for an uncontested Tennessee divorce: $250 to $500 when both spouses cooperate, or $300 to $600 if you need formal service of process.

How to Defer Filing Fees (Affidavit of Indigency)

If paying the filing fee would create a genuine financial hardship, Tennessee allows you to defer payment by filing a Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 29 and TRCP Rule 24.

The process works like this:

Complete the affidavit. The multi-page form requires you to disclose all sources of monthly income (wages, disability, public assistance), monthly expenses (rent, utilities, groceries, childcare), and the fair market value of assets like vehicles or real estate. The form is available for free from the Supreme Court website.

Sign under oath. The affidavit must be signed under penalty of perjury. Misrepresenting your financial situation can result in contempt of court charges.

Submit for judicial review. A judge reviews the completed form. Applicants whose income falls below the Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a presumption of indigency. If approved, the clerk opens your case and issues process without upfront payment.

Payment is deferred, not eliminated. The pauper's oath postpones filing fees — it does not waive them permanently. At the end of the case, the judge determines which spouse pays the deferred court costs. Typically, the non-indigent spouse is assessed the costs. If both spouses are indigent, the costs may be waived entirely.

Fees for Additional Filings

Beyond the initial filing, other court actions carry their own fees:

• Counter-complaint filing: approximately $100 in some counties
• Alias Summons (if initial service fails): reissue fee varies by county
• Certified copies of the Final Decree: $5 to $15 per copy
• Service by publication: $55 to $125 for the newspaper ads

These add up if your case encounters complications. Budget for at least two certified copies of the Final Decree — most banks, insurance companies, and government agencies require a certified copy when you update accounts after the divorce.

The Tennessee Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a complete cost worksheet to help you budget for every phase of the filing process.

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