Vermont Divorce Cost Calculator

Filing a divorce petition in Vermont costs $295 in every county. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Vermont's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Vermont 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 Vermont average of $301 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Vermont

  • Filing fee for the divorce petition Source$295
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form) Source$0
  • Court costs you pay$295

Also note: Filed with a stipulation for a final order, the fee is $90 if one or both spouses are Vermont residents ($180 if neither is); if the stipulation is not accepted or the case becomes contested, the difference must be paid before the final order.

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)

Vermont divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in Vermont costs $295 in every county. (source)

Filed with a stipulation for a final order, the fee is $90 if one or both spouses are Vermont residents ($180 if neither is); if the stipulation is not accepted or the case becomes contested, the difference must be paid before the final order.

The case is filed in the Vermont Superior Court, Family Division.

Serving divorce papers in Vermont

Your spouse can sign the Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

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

Fee waiver in Vermont

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (form 600-00228) (Vermont Judiciary form 600-00228). Filing and service fees are due at filing unless the court grants the application to waive them; no numeric test is stated on the checklist. (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 Vermont

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $301 an hour in Vermont 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 Vermont Superior Court, Family 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 Vermont?

Filing a divorce petition in Vermont costs $295 in every county. If your spouse signs the Acceptance of Service (form 400-00844), there is no service fee. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Vermont is $301 an hour.

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

$295, the same in every county. Filed with a stipulation for a final order, the fee is $90 if one or both spouses are Vermont residents ($180 if neither is); if the stipulation is not accepted or the case becomes contested, the difference must be paid before the final order.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Vermont?

You can ask. File the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (form 600-00228). Filing and service fees are due at filing unless the court grants the application to waive them; no numeric test is stated on the checklist. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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