Divorce filing fees in all 50 states (2026)
May 29, 2026 · 1 min read
The court filing fee is the one cost every divorce shares, and it varies a lot by state and county. Here is how to find your number and what drives it.
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Almost everything about a divorce varies from couple to couple, but one cost shows up in every single case: the fee your court charges to open the file. It is the clearest, most predictable number in the whole process, and it is paid to the court, never to an online service.
What the range looks like
Across the country, divorce filing fees generally run from about $100 to $450. New York's index number alone is around $210, California's first-appearance fee is about $435, and North Carolina's is $225. The spread is wide because each state sets its own fee, and many let counties add local surcharges on top.
Why your county matters
Two courthouses in the same state can charge different amounts. A base statutory fee is common, but county surcharges for things like technology funds or local programs push the final number up or down. That is why the most reliable figure is always your own county clerk's, not a national average.
How to find your exact fee
- Check your state's guide, which lists the fee and links the official court source.
- Confirm on your county clerk's website, since local surcharges apply there.
- Ask about a fee waiver if the cost is a hardship.
Our state-by-state guides show the current filing fee for each state with a link to the official court, and our divorce cost calculator helps you estimate the all-in cost. If the fee is out of reach, our guide to divorce fee waivers explains how to ask the court to waive it.
