States covered
10 states
divorce
2026 data 10 states ~$256 avg
Divorce - State Comparison
Legal dissolution of a marriage, including division of assets, child custody, and spousal support.
Data updated September 2026
Average minimum fee
$256
Across all surveyed states
Free filings
0 states
All states charge a fee
Longest waiting period
365 days
North Carolina
How Divorce Filing Costs Vary Nationally
PlainCivil tracks divorce filing requirements across 10 states out of 10 covered in the national dataset. Across those states, the average minimum filing fee is $256 and the average maximum is $329 - a spread that reflects both county-level surcharges and how each state funds its court system. The lowest entry cost is in Michigan, starting at $150. The highest ceiling is in California, where complex cases can reach $435.
Waiting periods and procedural timelines differ just as sharply. North Carolina imposes the longest statutory waiting period for divorce at 365 days before a final order can issue. 2 states have no mandatory waiting period, meaning the court can finalize the matter as soon as the case is ready. Actual time from filing to resolution usually exceeds the statutory minimum because of court calendars, response deadlines, service of process, and any contested issues. Venue rules, residency minimums, and grounds requirements add further state-specific complexity you should check before filing.
This page is a procedural reference, not legal advice. Divorce outcomes depend heavily on case facts, local court rules, opposing parties, and the judge assigned. If your situation involves minor children, contested property, domestic violence, housing loss, criminal collateral consequences, or immigration status, contact a licensed attorney or your state legal-aid organization before filing. Every state listed here also offers fee-waiver programs for filers whose household income falls below roughly 125–200% of the federal poverty level.
State-by-State Comparison
10 states| State | Filing Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| California | $435 | California fee schedule → |
| Florida | $400–$409 | Florida fee schedule → |
| Georgia | $200–$225 | Georgia fee schedule → |
| Illinois | $210–$350 | Illinois fee schedule → |
| Michigan | $150–$250 | Michigan fee schedule → |
| New York | $335–$400 | New York fee schedule → |
| North Carolina | $225 | North Carolina fee schedule → |
| Ohio | $150–$300 | Ohio fee schedule → |
| Pennsylvania | $200–$350 | Pennsylvania fee schedule → |
| Texas | $250–$350 | Texas fee schedule → |
Details by State
California
$435Petition fee $435. Response fee $435 if contested. Fee waivers (FW-001) available.
Timeline: 6 months minimum, 12-18+ months if contested
Full California details →Florida
$400–$409Petition fee $409 in most counties. Fee waivers available.
Timeline: Simplified: 30-60 days. Uncontested: 4-8 weeks. Contested: 6-18 months.
Full Florida details →Georgia
$200–$225Fulton County ~$225. Most counties $200-$225. Fee waivers via In Forma Pauperis.
Timeline: Uncontested: 31 days minimum (after service). Contested: 6 months-2 years.
Full Georgia details →Illinois
$210–$350Cook County ~$315. Other counties $210-$350. Fee waivers available.
Timeline: Uncontested: 2-4 months. Contested: 1-3 years.
Full Illinois details →Michigan
$150–$250Wayne County ~$225. Ottawa County ~$150. Fee waivers for low-income filers.
Timeline: No children: 60-day minimum. With children: 180-day minimum. Contested: 1-2 years.
Full Michigan details →New York
$335–$400Index number $210 + Request for Judicial Intervention $95 + other fees. Total ~$335-400.
Timeline: Uncontested: 3-6 months. Contested: 1-3 years.
Full New York details →North Carolina
$225Filing fee ~$225 in most counties. Additional fees for service. Fee waivers (IFP) available.
Timeline: Minimum 1 year separation + 30-60 days after filing. Total: 13-15 months.
Full North Carolina details →Ohio
$150–$300Franklin County ~$200. Hamilton County ~$275. Affidavit of Indigency available.
Timeline: Dissolution: 30-90 days. Contested divorce: 6 months-2 years.
Full Ohio details →Pennsylvania
$200–$350Philadelphia ~$350. Other counties $200-$300. Fee waivers via In Forma Pauperis petition.
Timeline: Mutual consent: 90 days minimum. Contested: 2-4 years.
Full Pennsylvania details →Texas
$250–$350Varies by county. Harris County ~$300, Travis County ~$280. Indigency waivers available.
Timeline: 60 days minimum, 3-6 months uncontested, 12-24+ months contested
Full Texas details →Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: Published state court fee schedules (compiled) PlainCivil state-process filing-fee database · 2026
Take this with you
Where divorce fits into the rest of your filing decision.
- Michigan starts as low as $150, while California's ceiling can reach $435 for the same process Compare all state fees
- North Carolina imposes the longest statutory wait at 365 days, while 2 states on this list impose none
- Check whether your state and household income qualify for a fee-waiver program before paying any filing fee Read methodology and coverage notes
This page is a procedural fee reference only, not legal advice. Divorce outcomes and eligibility depend on your state's specific rules and your case facts.
Fee and timeline figures on PlainCivil are rendered from the portal's state-process database compiled from published court schedules, no fee is invented for a ranking. Process-type hub aggregates filing-fee and wait fields for Divorce across surveyed states from the portal database. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-09-01. PlainCivil does not rate, rank-recommend, or advise on legal strategy, it reports what published schedules and court materials contain.
| Publisher | PlainCivil |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |