Alabama Divorce Cost Calculator

Alabama divorce filing fees are set county by county. In Baldwin County, the fee is $227. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Alabama's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Alabama fees checked against official court sources on October 24, 2026.

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Do you have children under 18 together?
Do you and your spouse agree on everything?
How will your spouse get the divorce papers?

Leave blank if you are filing on your own. If a lawyer gave you an estimate of hours, enter it here.

Leave blank to use the Alabama average of $287 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Alabama

  • Filing fee (Baldwin County example; your county may differ) Source$227
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form) Source$0
  • Court costs you pay$227

Also note: The $145 state docket fee is the same in every county; each circuit clerk adds local court costs, so the amount paid at the counter differs by county. Baldwin County posts $227 as the cost of an uncontested divorce; a contested case can cost more.

An estimate from official fee schedules, not a bill. The fee your court clerk charges on the day you file is the one that counts. (October 24, 2026)

Alabama divorce filing fee

Alabama divorce filing fees are set county by county. In Baldwin County, the fee is $227. (source)

The $145 state docket fee is the same in every county; each circuit clerk adds local court costs, so the amount paid at the counter differs by county. Baldwin County posts $227 as the cost of an uncontested divorce; a contested case can cost more.

The case is filed in the Alabama Circuit Court (domestic relations docket).

Serving divorce papers in Alabama

Your spouse can sign the Answer, Waiver and Request for Commissioner, Commission & Deposition (Form C-33) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

Sheriff and process-server fees are set locally in Alabama; ask the sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives.

Fee waiver in Alabama

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order (Form C-10-CIVIL) (Form C-10-CIVIL). The filer states that because of financial hardship they cannot pay the fees and costs; the court considers the filer's income against the United States poverty guidelines and whether paying would cause substantial hardship. If granted, prepayment is waived and the costs are taxed at the end of the case. (source)

The court or clerk decides whether to grant it and which fees it covers; filing the form does not guarantee a waiver.

Lawyer fees in Alabama

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $287 an hour in Alabama for 2025. (source) It is an average across lawyers, not a quote. Enter a lawyer's estimated hours above to price them, or enter the rate you were quoted.

What this page does not do

  • It does not file anything. Divorce cases are filed with the Alabama Circuit Court (domestic relations docket).
  • It does not quote lawyer fees; it prices only the hours you enter.
  • It does not decide fee-waiver eligibility; the court does.
  • It is not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a divorce in Alabama?

Alabama divorce filing fees are set county by county. In Baldwin County, the fee is $227. If your spouse signs the Answer, Waiver and Request for Commissioner, Commission & Deposition (Form C-33), there is no service fee. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Alabama is $287 an hour.

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

It depends on the county. In Baldwin County it is $227. Check the fee schedule of the court where you file.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Alabama?

You can ask. File the Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order (Form C-10-CIVIL). The filer states that because of financial hardship they cannot pay the fees and costs; the court considers the filer's income against the United States poverty guidelines and whether paying would cause substantial hardship. If granted, prepayment is waived and the costs are taxed at the end of the case. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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