How much does a divorce cost? Calculator
A divorce in England and Wales costs £628 in court fees from 13 July 2026, plus £62 for a financial consent order. Mediation and solicitor fees are where the cost really varies. Add your own quotes to see a total.
You’ll need any quotes you have from solicitors or mediators. If you have none yet, the hourly route uses the court’s published guideline rates as a benchmark.
Your result
Fill in the form to see the figures.
Court fees from 13 July 2026. Your inputs stay in this browser.
Figures checked 25 October 2026 Reviewed by [Reviewing solicitor, England and Wales] Sources
Court fees from 13 July 2026
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce or dissolution application | £628 |
| Financial order by consent | £62 |
| Contested financial order (Form A) | £321 |
| Child arrangements order (C100) | £270 |
The divorce fee rose from £612 to £628 on 13 July 2026. See the family court fees calculator for the full list and a Help with Fees check.
Solicitor costs
If you choose the hourly route, the calculator uses the solicitors’ guideline hourly rates that courts use when assessing costs from 1 January 2026. They are a published benchmark, not what any firm must charge, and many family solicitors offer fixed fees instead. A Grade A solicitor outside London is £288 an hour plus VAT on this scale.
Worked example
A couple agree their finances and want a consent order. They have three mediation sessions at £150 each, and one of them pays a solicitor a £600 fixed fee to draft the order.
£628 + £62 in court fees, £450 mediation and £720 for the solicitor including VAT comes to £1,860.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
This calculator uses fees for England and Wales. Scotland has different grounds, a simplified procedure for some couples and its own court fees. Northern Ireland also has its own process and fees.
Questions people ask
How much does a divorce cost in England and Wales?
The court fee is £628 from 13 July 2026, and it is the only cost if you do everything yourself and agree the finances informally. A financial consent order adds £62 in court fees, and a contested financial application adds £321. Solicitor and mediation costs are on top and vary far more than the court fees do.
Who pays the divorce court fee?
The person who applies pays it. In a joint application one of you pays, and you can agree to share it. If you are on a low income, Help with Fees can cover all or part of the fee.
Do I need a solicitor for a divorce?
No. Most people apply online through GOV.UK without one. Legal advice is most useful for the financial side, and a court will only make your financial agreement legally binding if it is in a consent order.
What is the Family Mediation Voucher?
A government-funded contribution of up to £500 towards mediation where the dispute involves children, or finances connected to children. It has been funded for the 2026 to 2027 financial year. The mediator applies for it.
How long does a divorce take?
There must be at least 20 weeks between the application being issued and the conditional order, and at least 6 weeks and 1 day between the conditional order and the final order. So the minimum is about 26 weeks.
Sources
This calculator gives general information, not legal or financial advice. A court, tribunal, the Home Office or the scheme administrator makes the actual decision. Read the disclaimer, and for advice on your own situation speak to a regulated adviser, a solicitor or Citizens Advice.