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Court filing fees in Illinois

What the court charges to start a divorce or an adult name change in Illinois, as stated in the fee schedule or statute. Lawyer fees, service of papers and newspaper costs are extra.

The details

Fee to file for divorce

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage $388.00 (Cook County Domestic Relations Division Fee Schedule, 1/1/2022)¹

This is the fee in Cook. Other counties may charge a different amount.

Fee to respond to a divorce

Appearance Fee $250.00 (Cook County Domestic Relations Division)¹

Fee for an adult name change

Petition to Change Name $388.00, Appearance fee $250.00 (Cook County Division Fee Schedule, 10/20/22)²³

This is the fee in Cook. Other counties may charge a different amount.

Civil Division schedule also lists Name Change (Suburban Districts Only) at $388.00.

Newspaper publication for a name change

Yes, but since January 1, 2024 a person may file a sworn statement asking to waive publication for hardship. The waiver is presumed granted.⁴

Court that handles divorce

Circuit Court¹

If you cannot afford the fee

Application for Waiver of Court Fees: People who receive means based government benefits qualify for a full waiver. Others apply with financial information.⁵ Get the form

Sources

1. Domestic Relations Division Fee Schedule, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, checked 1 November 2026
2. County Division Fee Schedule (10/20/22), Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, checked 1 November 2026
3. Civil Division Filing Fees, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, checked 1 November 2026
4. New law amending name change requirements effective January 1, 2024, Illinois Courts, checked 1 November 2026
5. New civil fee waiver forms reflect recent amendments to Rule 298 (March 26, 2024), Illinois Courts, checked 1 November 2026

Checked 1 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source we used only because the official page could not be read.