There is a court fee to file for a divorce and to get a Summons. The amount may change, but at the moment the filing fee is a $200.00 fee, plus a $15.00 surcharge and there is a Summons that costs $5.00. In addition, you have to serve your spouse and this can cost at least $30.00 and significantly more depending on if he/she lives far away.

There are reasons why you would be able to file if you could not afford the fee. Basically, you can file something called the “Affidavit of Indingency” if you can show that you’re receiving TAFDC, other public assistance; that your income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level; or you can show that paying the filing fee would keep you from being able to buy the necessary food, shelter and/or clothing.

If that is allowed then you also do not have to pay for the service of process fee. Sometimes your spouse can be ordered to pay part of the filing fees, but you would have to ask the Court and that is not a guaranty.