Court filing fees in Pennsylvania
What the court charges to start a divorce or an adult name change in Pennsylvania, as stated in the fee schedule or statute. Lawyer fees, service of papers and newspaper costs are extra.
$334.73to file for divorce
$349.23to file for an adult name change
The details
- Fee to file for divorce
- Family Court, Divorce, Commencement of Action $334.73 (Philadelphia Prothonotary fees effective November 12, 2025)12
This is the fee in Philadelphia. Other counties may charge a different amount.
The court divorce brochure says the filing fee is $333.73.
- Fee to respond to a divorce
- Divorce, Defendant First Filing $144.541
- Fee for an adult name change
- Name Change Petition, Adult $349.23 (Commencement of Action, Philadelphia)1
This is the fee in Philadelphia. Other counties may charge a different amount.
- Court that handles divorce
- Court of Common Pleas, Family Court2
- If you cannot afford the fee
- Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP): You may ask to be excused from the fee. People on public assistance or SSI bring proof of that status.2 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
- Prothonotary / Office of Judicial Records Fees (effective November 12, 2025), First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, checked 1 November 2026
- Divorce in Philadelphia County brochure, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, checked 1 November 2026
Checked 1 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source we used only because the official page could not be read.