Initial Filing Fees by State
Filing fees for initiating a family law case vary significantly by jurisdiction:
- California: $435-$450 for divorce/custody petition
- New York: $335 for Supreme Court divorce filing
- Texas: $300-$350 for family law petition
- Florida: $409 for dissolution of marriage
- Illinois: $388 for divorce petition in Cook County
These are base fees and don't include additional costs for service of process, copying, or certified copies.
Additional Court Fees
Beyond the initial filing, expect additional fees for:
- Response or Answer filing: $200-$300
- Motions: $60-$150 per motion
- Order to Show Cause: $60-$100
- Certified copies: $15-$25 per document
- Copying fees: $0.50-$1.00 per page
- Service of process by sheriff: $40-$75
Fee Waiver Availability
If you cannot afford court fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Courts typically grant waivers based on:
- Receipt of public benefits (food stamps, SSI, etc.)
- Income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines
- Demonstrated inability to pay based on expenses and obligations
Fee waiver applications require detailed financial disclosure. If approved, most or all court filing fees are waived, though you may still need to pay for service of process.
Payment Methods
Most courts accept multiple payment methods:
- Cash (exact amount, as clerks may not have change)
- Credit/debit cards (may include processing fees of 2-3%)
- Checks or money orders made payable to the court
- Electronic payment for e-filing systems
Some courts do not accept personal checks. Verify accepted payment methods with your courthouse clerk before filing.