Court filing fees in West Virginia
What the court charges to start a divorce or an adult name change in West Virginia, as stated in the fee schedule or statute. Lawyer fees, service of papers and newspaper costs are extra.
$135to file for divorce
$200to file for an adult name change
The details
- Fee to file for divorce
- for instituting an action for divorce, separate maintenance, or annulment, $135 (W. Va. Code 59-1-11(a)(3))1
Same fee statewide.
- Fee to respond to a divorce
- No answer fee listed. The $200 counterclaim fee excludes family court cases.1
- Fee for an adult name change
- any other action, cause, suit or proceeding, $200 (59-1-11(a)(1))1
Same fee statewide.
Statute does not name name changes. The general fee is shown.
- Court that handles divorce
- Family Court3
- If you cannot afford the fee
- SCA-C&M201, Financial Affidavit and Application: Eligibility for Waiver of Fees, Costs, or Security2 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
- W. Va. Code 59-1-11 Fees to be charged by clerk of circuit court, West Virginia Legislature, checked 1 November 2026
- Court Forms, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, checked 1 November 2026
- Family Courts, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, checked 1 November 2026
Checked 1 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source we used only because the official page could not be read.