If you search for the cost of a divorce, you'll find figures anywhere from a few hundred pounds to six figures. Both are true. What you end up paying depends far less on the divorce itself than on how much you and your ex can agree about everything around it.
So let's separate the two. There's the divorce, which legally ends your marriage. And there's everything else: the house, savings, pensions, debts and arrangements for children. The first has a fixed price. The second is where costs can climb.
The fees you can't avoid
The court fee to apply for a divorce is £628. That went up from £612 on 13 July 2026, and it's the same whether you apply alone or together (GOV.UK). It covers the whole legal process, from your application through to the final order that ends the marriage.
What it doesn't cover is money. If you've agreed how to split things, you'll want that agreement turned into a court order so it's legally binding. That's called a consent order, and the court fee is £62. If you can't agree and need a judge to decide, the fee to apply for a financial order is £321, and that's before any legal costs.
| Court fee | What it's for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce application | Legally ending the marriage | £628 |
| Consent order | Making an agreed financial settlement binding | £62 |
| Financial order (contested) | Asking the court to decide on money | £321 |
If money is tight, check whether you qualify for Help with Fees. People on certain benefits or a low income can have some or all of the court fee covered.
What each route costs
Doing it yourselves
If you agree on everything, you can apply online through GOV.UK and pay nothing but the court fee. Add £62 for a consent order and you could, in theory, finish the whole thing for under £700. Plenty of people do exactly that. The risk is that a consent order needs to be drafted properly to be approved, and mistakes with pensions or the house can be expensive to fix later.
Online divorce services
Online services sit in the middle. For a fixed fee on top of the court fee, they handle the paperwork and guide you through each step. Some also help draft your financial agreement. Prices vary a lot, so compare what's included, particularly whether the consent order is part of the package.
Mediation
A mediator helps you both reach an agreement without going to court. Before you can apply to court about children or money, you'll usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), which costs around £120 per person unless you qualify for legal aid (GOV.UK).
If your case involves children, you may be eligible for a £500 government voucher towards mediation sessions. Your mediator applies for it on your behalf, so ask about it at your first meeting.
Solicitors
This is where the range gets wide. A solicitor charging by the hour costs very different amounts depending on where you live, how complex your finances are, and how much negotiating is needed. Many firms now offer fixed fees for parts of the process, which makes budgeting easier.
The good news is that costs are often lower than people fear. The Fair Shares study found that, of divorcees who used legal advice, nearly a quarter spent less than £1,000, with higher costs tending to come with greater wealth (University of Bristol).
The single biggest factor in what your divorce costs isn't the route you choose. It's how much you can agree.
Costs people don't expect
- Pension reports. If one of you has a large or final salary pension, a specialist actuary may need to value it. This can run to hundreds of pounds or more.
- Property valuations, and the costs of selling or remortgaging the family home.
- Moving costs, deposits and setting up a second household.
- Time off work for appointments, mediation and, if it comes to it, hearings.
How to keep the cost down
- Get organised early. Gather bank statements, pension details and mortgage paperwork before you speak to anyone. Professionals charge less when they're not chasing documents.
- Agree what you can, early. Even agreeing the small things narrows what needs negotiating.
- Try mediation before court. Most financial cases never reach a judge. In April to June 2026, 72% of financial remedy applications were uncontested (Ministry of Justice).
- Pay for advice, not hand-holding. A few hours of targeted legal advice at the right moments can save thousands later.
- Don't skip the consent order. Without one, your ex could still make a financial claim against you years from now. At £62, it's the cheapest protection you'll buy.
Get a rough estimate
Every situation is different, but our breakdown of each route above gives a rough guide. If you'd like a firm quote, we can introduce you to vetted solicitors and mediators who offer fixed fees.
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Get matchedCommon questions
How much is the court fee for a divorce?
The fee to apply for a divorce in England and Wales is £628. It's the same whether you apply on your own or jointly, and it covers the whole divorce from application to final order. It doesn't cover sorting out your finances.
Who pays for the divorce?
Whoever applies pays the court fee, unless you agree otherwise. In a joint application you can split it. You can also agree that one person pays the other's legal costs as part of your financial settlement.
Can I get help paying the divorce fee?
Yes, if you're on certain benefits or a low income you may get some or all of the fee covered through the government's Help with Fees scheme. You apply online before or when you submit your divorce application.
Is it cheaper to divorce without a solicitor?
Usually, yes. If you agree on everything you can apply yourself for just the court fee, and make your financial agreement legally binding with a consent order for £62. Getting even one hour of advice before you sign anything is still worth considering.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
- University of Bristol and Nuffield Foundation, Fair Shares report (2023)
- GOV.UK, Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
- GOV.UK, Get help paying court and tribunal fees
- Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026
Keep reading
This guide is general information about divorce in England and Wales, not legal or financial advice. Laws, fees and figures change, so check the sources above and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 1 October 2026.