Court Filing Fees

All states

Court filing fees in Massachusetts

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

$215to file for divorce
$165to file for an adult name change

The details

Fee to file for divorce
Divorce, Complaint: $200 filing fee and $15 surcharge. The 1B guide also lists a $5 divorce summons charge.12

Same fee statewide.

Fee to respond to a divorce
Not listed1

Fee page lists no answer or counterclaim fee.

Fee for an adult name change
$165 Total filing fee for a name change petition ($150 filing fee and $15 surcharge). A $15 citation fee applies if an Order of Notice issues.31

Same fee statewide.

Newspaper publication for a name change
Only if the court orders it. The citation says if public notice is required, and then it must run at least seven days before the return date.3
Court that handles divorce
Probate and Family Court2
If you cannot afford the fee
Affidavit of Indigency: For people who cannot afford the fees. Criteria are on the court Indigency page.32 Get the form
Fees change, and some counties add local fees. Check the court's own fee page or call the clerk before you file.

Sources

  1. Probate and Family Court filing fees, Massachusetts Trial Court, checked 1 November 2026
  2. Get a no-fault 1B divorce, Massachusetts Trial Court, checked 1 November 2026
  3. How do I file a change of name for an adult?, Massachusetts Trial Court, checked 1 November 2026

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