The filing fee is the court's charge to open your divorce case — the first, unavoidable cost, separate from attorney fees. It ranges from under $100 to over $400 depending on your state (and often your county). Pick your state for the fee and what else you'll pay upfront.
The filing fee pays the court to open your case and assign it a number. It does not cover serving your spouse (a process server or sheriff typically adds $40–$100), certified copies, a parenting class where children are involved, or, of course, attorney fees. If you can't afford the fee, every state offers a fee waiver (sometimes called proceeding in forma pauperis) for low-income filers — you file a short financial affidavit and the court can waive it entirely.
For the full picture of what a divorce costs — attorney rates, contested vs. uncontested, and realistic totals — use the divorce cost calculator. To see how long it takes, see divorce timelines by state.
