Illinois Divorce Cost Calculator

Illinois divorce filing fees are set county by county. In Cook County, the fee is $388. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Illinois's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

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

This runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent, saved or added to the page address.

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 Illinois average of $343 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Illinois

  • Filing fee (Cook County example; your county may differ) Source$388
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form)$0
  • Court costs you pay$388

Also note: Each circuit clerk charges its own fee under the Clerks of Courts Act; in Cook County the other spouse pays a $250 appearance fee.

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)

Illinois divorce filing fee

Illinois divorce filing fees are set county by county. In Cook County, the fee is $388. (source)

Each circuit clerk charges its own fee under the Clerks of Courts Act; in Cook County the other spouse pays a $250 appearance fee.

In Cook County, if your spouse files a response, they pay $250. (source)

The case is filed in the Illinois Circuit Court (county domestic relations division).

Serving divorce papers in Illinois

If your spouse is willing, ask the clerk about a form your spouse can sign to accept the papers, which avoids a service fee.

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

Fee waiver in Illinois

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil) and Order on Application for Waiver of Court Fees (statewide standardized forms, approved 08/2025) (735 ILCS 5/5-105). The application tells the judge about your income, expenses and any public benefits, and the judge decides whether to waive or reduce the fees; a granted waiver can also cover costs such as sheriff service and mediation, and lasts one year. (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 Illinois

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $343 an hour in Illinois 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 Illinois Circuit Court (county domestic relations division).
  • 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 Illinois?

Illinois divorce filing fees are set county by county. In Cook County, the fee is $388. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Illinois is $343 an hour.

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

It depends on the county. In Cook County it is $388. Check the fee schedule of the court where you file.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Illinois?

You can ask. File the Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil) and Order on Application for Waiver of Court Fees (statewide standardized forms, approved 08/2025). The application tells the judge about your income, expenses and any public benefits, and the judge decides whether to waive or reduce the fees; a granted waiver can also cover costs such as sheriff service and mediation, and lasts one year. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Does my spouse have to pay a fee in Illinois?

In Cook County, yes, if they file a response: $250. Other counties set their own amounts.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

Know someone who could use this? Share this free tool:

Share: