How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania? Filing Fees by County and Fee Waivers

Pennsylvania family law · Last reviewed October 7, 2026

Pennsylvania has no single statewide divorce filing fee. Each county's prothonotary (or, in Philadelphia, the Office of Judicial Records) sets its own, and the charges differ by more than $150 between neighboring counties. Most counties also charge extra for each additional claim, or count, in the complaint, such as equitable distribution, alimony or custody, and some charge separately for transmitting the record or for a hearing officer.

Filing fees in the largest counties

These are the posted fees for a no-fault divorce complaint, from each county's official fee schedule. Fees change, often on January 1; confirm the amount with the filing office before you file.

County	Divorce complaint	Each additional count	Other charges	Schedule effective
Philadelphia	$334.73	—	Praecipe to transmit $66.22; motion for a permanent master $496.98	Nov. 12, 2025
Allegheny	$195.25	$46.25 (custody count $173.50)	Response $35; transmittal $20	Posted 2026 (see note)
Montgomery	$314.50	$70.50 (custody count $81.50)	Praecipe to transmit with certificates $54	Jan. 1, 2026
Bucks	$398.00	Equitable distribution count $90.50		Jan. 1, 2026
Delaware	Begins at $291.25	Higher with more counts		Page updated Sept. 26, 2025
Chester	$215.25	$80.25 each for the first two, then $41.25	Mediation fee $20 per case	Jan. 1, 2026
Lancaster	$237.00 (includes final costs)	$71.75	Hearing officer $475 per half day	Dec. 1, 2025
York	$318.00	$41.25 (custody count $51.75)	Hearing officer $350	Jan. 1, 2026
Berks	$250.00 (one count)	$60.00	Praecipe to transmit $100; hearing officer $1,015	Sept. 28, 2026
Lehigh	$275.75	$77.50	Praecipe to transmit $36.50; master $500	Jan. 1, 2026

Allegheny note. The county announced that the records retention fee rose from $3.50 to $7.00 "for all new filings" on June 1, 2026. Its posted family division table doesn't say whether $195.25 already includes the increase. Check before you file.

A spouse who only consents to the divorce usually pays nothing to the court. A spouse who files a counterclaim or an answer may owe a fee (Philadelphia's defendant first filing is $144.54).

Other court costs

Hearing officer or master. If property or alimony is contested and the county uses a divorce hearing officer, the person asking for the appointment usually pays a fee. The amounts vary widely: from $350 in York to $1,015 in Berks.
Service. Your spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service for free. Certified and first-class mail cost postage. Sheriff's fees for personal service are set by each county's sheriff.
Certified copy of the decree. Usually a few dollars, but $41.58 in Philadelphia. See divorce records.
Resuming a prior name. Filing a notice to resume a prior surname costs from about $10 (Bucks) to $45 (Berks).
Mediation and parenting programs. Counties that require custody orientation or classes set their own fees. The Divorce Code caps a county mediation program's filing fee at $20 (23 Pa.C.S. § 3902).

Total cost

Court fees are the small part. A mutual-consent divorce where the spouses have already agreed on everything can be done for little more than the filing fee and postage, using the free statewide forms. Costs rise with lawyers' fees, appraisals and other experts, and especially with contested hearings over property, alimony or custody. There's no reliable statewide average; be wary of any website that quotes one. In a contested case, the court can order one spouse to contribute to the other's reasonable counsel fees and expenses (§ 3702(a)).

Fee waivers: in forma pauperis

If you can't afford the fees, you can ask the court to waive them. The rules change on November 1, 2026.

Before November 1, 2026: Rule 240

Rule 1920.62 applies the general in forma pauperis procedure of Rule 240 to divorce. You file a petition with an affidavit describing your income, assets, debts and expenses, and the court decides. The current rule sets no fixed income limit. If a lawyer represents you for free through a legal aid program, the lawyer can instead file a praecipe stating that you can't afford the costs. The statewide self-help page links the official petition.

From November 1, 2026: Pa.R.J.A. 1990

A Supreme Court order of April 21, 2026 replaces that procedure with a new statewide rule, Pa.R.J.A. 1990, and a new application form. Under the new rule, you qualify if any of these is true:

you receive needs-based public assistance;
your gross income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and your assets are less than $10,000, not counting your home and one vehicle;
paying would cause you substantial financial hardship; or
a legal aid organization or free lawyer represents you and files a praecipe.

The application is filed with or after the complaint, not before. The court should decide within 20 days, and if it denies the application you generally have 30 days to pay. Check the statewide self-help page for the new form after November 1.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Pennsylvania?

Between about $195 and $400 for the complaint in the largest counties, as of 2026: for example $334.73 in Philadelphia, $195.25 in Allegheny, $314.50 in Montgomery and $398.00 in Bucks. Each extra claim, such as property division or custody, usually adds a fee.

Can I get a divorce for free in Pennsylvania?

The filing fees can be waived if you qualify. Until October 31, 2026, ask under Rule 240 by petition; from November 1, 2026, apply under Pa.R.J.A. 1990, which qualifies people on public assistance, people at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines with assets under $10,000 (excluding a home and one vehicle), and people facing substantial hardship.

Does my spouse have to pay a fee to respond?

Not to consent. In many counties, filing an answer or counterclaim carries a fee, such as $144.54 in Philadelphia or $35 in Allegheny.

Who pays for the divorce?

The spouse who files pays the filing fee. Spouses often split costs in their settlement, and the court can order one spouse to pay part of the other's counsel fees and expenses.

Where these sections live

How this page is sourced. Every legal statement here comes from the Pennsylvania statutes, court rules, statewide court forms and official court and agency pages it cites and links. Text in block quotes is copied exactly from the official source; everything else is original writing. Fees and dollar limits are as of October 7, 2026.

This page explains what the law says. It is legal information, not legal advice, and it cannot tell you how the law applies to your situation. Family law turns on facts, and some deadlines cannot be extended — if the outcome matters, talk to a family lawyer or your court’s self-help center.