The court fees (from 13 July 2026)
| Application | Court fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution application | £628 (was £612) |
| Financial order by consent (making an agreement about money legally binding) | £62 |
| Financial order where you don’t agree (Form A) | £321 |
| Child arrangements and other Children Act 1989 applications (e.g. C100) | £270 |
| Non-molestation order or Domestic Abuse Protection Order | No fee |
Source: HMCTS family court fees list (EX50), updated 13 July 2026 [HMCTS EX50]; GOV.UK confirms the £628 divorce fee [GOV.UK]. The July 2026 changes were inflation-linked increases announced by the Ministry of Justice [MoJ]. Fees change — check the current figure on GOV.UK before you apply.
The divorce fee is paid once per divorce, whether you apply jointly or alone. It is not refunded once you’ve been sent the notice that your application has been issued [GOV.UK].
Help with Fees: who qualifies
Help with Fees can cut the fee or remove it entirely. It depends on your savings, benefits and income [GOV.UK]:
1. Savings
- If you (and any partner) are 65 or younger: savings must be under £4,250 for fees of £1,420 or less — which includes the £628 divorce fee.
- If you or your partner are 66 or older: up to £16,000, whatever the fee.
2. Benefits
You can get money off if you get income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit with earnings under £6,000 a year, or Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) — and your savings are under the limit.
3. Income
Otherwise, your income before tax (your last calendar month, or your average over the last three — whichever is lower) must be:
- £1,420 or less if you’re single, or £2,130 or less if you have a partner;
- plus £425 for each child aged 0 to 13, and £710 for each child aged 14 or over.
If you earn more, you may still get some money off, depending on the fee [GOV.UK]. The official service works this out.
Joint applications: both of you must qualify
If you apply for a divorce jointly and want help with the fee, you both have to apply for Help with Fees and both be eligible. If your husband or wife isn’t eligible or doesn’t apply, the full fee is due [GOV.UK]. If only you qualify, a sole application may be cheaper.
How to apply
- Online: apply for Help with Fees on GOV.UK, get a reference number, and enter it in your online divorce application so you don’t pay upfront [GOV.UK].
- By post: fill in form EX160 and send it with your paper divorce application (form D8) [GOV.UK EX160].
- Already paid? You can ask for a refund if you paid in the last 3 months and were eligible when you paid [GOV.UK].
- Each fee is separate: if you later need a consent order or a children application, apply for Help with Fees again for that fee.
Need help filling it in? The Courts and Tribunals Service Centre can explain help with the divorce fee, and We Are Group helps people who aren’t confident online (03300 160 051) [GOV.UK].
Free help to try first
- Check if you can get legal aid (GOV.UK) — the official checker. Or call Civil Legal Advice on 0345 345 4345 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 12:30pm).
- Find a Legal Aid Adviser or Family Mediator — the Ministry of Justice’s official search.
- Citizens Advice — free, confidential advice on separation, money and children.
If you are in danger, call 999. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours: 0808 2000 247.