Reviewed by Danelle Foley, Senior Consultant Family Law Solicitor. Last reviewed: July 2026. Court fees are correct as at 27 July 2026 (last update took effect on 13 July 2026) but change periodically. Check the current position on GOV.UK before relying on them.
In England and Wales, the court fee to apply for a divorce is £628. If you divorce amicably and handle the paperwork yourselves, that may be your only cost. Most people also use a solicitor, typically £500–£1,500 plus VAT for the divorce itself, and making a financial settlement legally binding with a consent order adds a £62 court fee plus drafting.
Getting divorced can feel stressful and emotional, with a lot to weigh up, and cost is often one of the first questions. A divorce really has two separate parts: ending the marriage itself, and sorting out the finances. If you have children, you’ll also need to agree arrangements for them. Each part carries its own potential fees, and you may also pay solicitor fees if you’d like legal support.
No two cases are the same, so your costs will depend on your circumstances. This guide sets out what you can typically expect, so you can plan with confidence.
This guide covers England and Wales and is general information, not legal advice. Court fees are correct as at 27 July 2026.
How much does a divorce cost?
Divorce costs fall into two broad categories: court fees (paid to HM Courts & Tribunals Service) and solicitors’ fees (if you choose legal support). For a straightforward, amicable divorce the court fee may be all you pay; more complex cases, especially where finances or children are disputed, cost more. Let’s take a closer look:
Court fees for divorce
When you apply for a divorce, you pay a court fee of £628. The cost is the same whether you apply jointly or on your own. For many straightforward cases this is the only court fee you’ll pay, but if you need the court to formalise finances or child arrangements, other fees apply:
| Application | Court fee |
| Divorce or dissolution application | £628 |
| Financial consent order (by agreement) | £62 |
| Financial remedy order – contested (Form A) | £321 |
| Child arrangements order (C100) | £270 |
Court costs for child arrangements orders
The court grants a child arrangements order when divorcing parents can’t agree on arrangements for their child or children. The order sets out where the children will live, when and where they will see each parent, and other terms of contact.
If you need one, the court fee for a child arrangements order application is £270.
Court costs for financial consent orders
This is the part people most often overlook: the divorce ends your marriage, but it does not settle your finances. Until a court makes a financial order, your ex-partner could, in principle, make a financial claim against you years later. If you’ve agreed how to divide property, pensions, savings and other assets, a financial consent order makes that agreement legally binding, for a £62 court fee plus the cost of drafting it. It’s usually the single most valuable step you can take to protect yourself, and far cheaper than resolving a dispute later.
Court costs for contested financial orders
A financial remedy order outlines how to split assets in a divorce if you cannot agree either through negotiation or mediation. The process includes filing a Form A, and attending up to 3 court hearings, where a judge will then ultimately decide how the assets and finances are divided. Assets can include property, pensions, savings, and investments. It can also detail the payment of maintenance, including child maintenance, and is legally binding.
If you require one, the court fee to start financial remedy proceedings is £321.
Solicitors’ fees for divorce
Beyond court fees, the main cost is legal support. There are many reasons why you may want to enlist the services of a solicitor in your divorce, for example:
- They have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through an unfamiliar process and help ensure you are filling out everything correctly in order to get the best possible outcome for you and your family.
- They can handle communication with your ex-partner if communication has broken down.
- They can help you deal with financial arrangements to ensure that they are fair.
- If your divorce case goes to court, they can represent you and your best interests.
- Some solicitors also offer mediation services to help divorcing couples resolve disputes without having to go to court.
So, how much are solicitors fees for a divorce? The truth is that they can vary with the complexity of your case, the time involved and your solicitor’s experience. As a rough industry guide:
- The divorce itself: around £500 – £1,500, plus VAT.
- A straightforward financial consent order: drafting a Financial Remedy Consent Order for the court to approve typically starts around £400, plus VAT.
- Complex financial settlements: can be more expensive as they take more time and can involve negotiation and mediation. Solicitors fees in these situations typically start at £3000 plus VAT, rising with the number of mediation sessions needed.
- Contested cases that go to court: If you fail to reach an agreement and have go to court, solicitors fees will rise rapidly, typically starting at £15,000 to £30,000 plus VAT. For this reason, it is advised to reach a settlement outside of court wherever possible.
Most family solicitors charge an hourly rate rather than a fixed fee, and many offer a free initial consultation so you can understand likely costs before you begin.
How much does a divorce cost with mediation?
Mediation is a great option for divorcing couples who are struggling to come to an agreement on their own, but want to avoid going to court. During mediation, a trained mediator will act as an impartial third party to help you come to an agreement over important decisions regarding finances, children, and other factors.
The first session is usually a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), where you can discuss the issues that need to be resolved and the mediator will give you more information about the process. Costs vary with the mediator’s experience and the number of sessions, but mediation is generally far less expensive than a contested court case. Many of Setfords’ family lawyers are also trained mediators.
How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?
Since no-fault divorce was introduced in April 2022, couples can apply jointly and neither has to blame the other. Beforehand, only one party could file for divorce, and a reason had to be given for the breakdown of the marriage, such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour.
The basic court fee of £628 is the same however you apply, but an amicable divorce usually works out far cheaper, because:
- If you agree arrangements for finances and children yourselves, you avoid the extra court fees for financial or child arrangements orders. However, it’s recommended to consult with a solicitor to ensure any arrangements you make protect your interests.
- If you can agree matters without ongoing legal input, you save on solicitors’ and mediation fees.
Overall, a divorce where both parties agree costs at least the £628 court fee, but can become more expensive if you consult with a mediator, solicitor, or need a court order.
How much does a divorce cost if it goes to court in the UK?
Going to court is fairly rare and usually a last resort when couples can’t agree even through mediation. It’s significantly more expensive, because of:
- Solicitors’ and mediation fees: Your solicitor will have to spend time preparing documents, gathering evidence, and potentially even instructing expert witnesses, which can be time consuming and all lead to higher costs.
- Additional court fees: You’ll have to pay for court fees beyond the £628 fee that is charged for all divorces, such as the £321 financial remedy fee or the £270 child arrangements fee where the court has to decide matters for you.
Overall, divorce court fees and solicitors fees can quickly add up, so it’s generally recommended to try and come to an amicable decision on matters outside of court where appropriate.
Who pays divorce court fees and legal fees?
Each person usually pays their own legal fees. For court fees, the applicant (person who applies for the divorce) normally pays, in a joint application, applicant 1 will pay. However, where the divorce is amicable, couples may agree to share the cost.
Can I claim divorce court fees back?
If you are the applicant, you may be wondering if you can claim the cost of the court costs for divorce from the other party. You can ask the court to order that costs are shared, but this can’t be done within the divorce proceedings themselves – a separate costs order must be applied for, which is often long-winded and costly. In practice it’s rare, and couples are encouraged to agree costs between themselves.
Are fees the same for the dissolution of a civil partnership?
Yes. The court fee to dissolve a civil partnership is also £628, and solicitors’ fees work the same way as for divorce. Read more on the difference between divorce and dissolution.
Are divorce costs tax deductible?
No, in almost all cases, legal and court fees for a divorce are not tax deductible. An accountant can advise on your specific circumstances.
Is an uncontested divorce cheaper?
The court fees are the same, but an uncontested divorce is usually cheaper overall because solicitors’ fees are lower when you reach agreement quickly on finances and arrangements for children.
In summary
A straightforward, amicable divorce can cost as little as the £628 court fee, while cases involving disputes over money or children cost more. The biggest way to keep costs down is to agree matters out of court where you can – and the most important step to protect yourself is making any financial agreement binding with a consent order. Our family team can guide you through all of it, working with you directly from start to finish.
Reviewed by Danelle Foley, Senior Consultant Family Law Solicitor. Last reviewed: July 2026.
Danelle Foley
Senior Consultant Family Law Solicitor
Danelle qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and has specialised in family law since. Areas of expertise Divorce Financial Remedy Proceedings Child Arrangements Child Abduction Internal and External Relocation ...
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