Washington Divorce Cost Calculator

Washington divorce filing fees are set county by county. In King County, the fee is $364. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Washington's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Washington 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 Washington average of $342 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Washington

  • Filing fee (King County example; your county may differ) Source$364
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form)$0
  • Court costs you pay$364

Also note: The statewide civil filing fee plus state surcharges and county add-ons make up the total, so it differs by county; King County charges $364.

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)

Washington divorce filing fee

Washington divorce filing fees are set county by county. In King County, the fee is $364. (source)

The statewide civil filing fee plus state surcharges and county add-ons make up the total, so it differs by county; King County charges $364.

The case is filed in the Washington Superior Court (county clerk).

Serving divorce papers in Washington

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 Washington; ask the sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives.

Fee waiver in Washington

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Motion and Order to Waive Civil Fees and Surcharges (King County Superior Court standard form) (King County Superior Court fee waiver instructions (last updated 1/15/2026); statewide rule GR 34 not opened). The court considers ability to pay and may apply a table based on 125% of the Federal Poverty Standard; in a joint family law petition the spouses' incomes are added. The court may also waive fees for recurring basic living expenses or other compelling circumstances. (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 Washington

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $342 an hour in Washington 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 Washington Superior Court (county clerk).
  • 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 Washington?

Washington divorce filing fees are set county by county. In King County, the fee is $364. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Washington is $342 an hour.

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

It depends on the county. In King County it is $364. Check the fee schedule of the court where you file.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Washington?

You can ask. File the Motion and Order to Waive Civil Fees and Surcharges (King County Superior Court standard form). The court considers ability to pay and may apply a table based on 125% of the Federal Poverty Standard; in a joint family law petition the spouses' incomes are added. The court may also waive fees for recurring basic living expenses or other compelling circumstances. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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