Court filing fees in Wisconsin
What the court charges to start a divorce or an adult name change in Wisconsin, as stated in the fee schedule or statute. Lawyer fees, service of papers and newspaper costs are extra.
$273to file for divorce
$235to file for an adult name change
The details
- Fee to file for divorce
- $273.00 ($130 filing fee, $81 CSS, $24 JINFO, $38 family court counseling services fee). $293.00 if support or maintenance is requested. Effective November 1, 2026.1
Same fee statewide.
- Fee to respond to a divorce
- Not listed1
- Fee for an adult name change
- $235.00 ($130 filing fee, $81 CSS, $24 JINFO)1
Same fee statewide.
- Newspaper publication for a name change
- Yes. The notice must be printed once a week for three weeks before the hearing date.2
- Court that handles divorce
- Circuit Court21
Fees change, and some counties add local fees. Check the court's own fee page or call the clerk before you file.
Sources
- Circuit Court Fee, Forfeiture, Fine and Surcharge Tables (effective 11/01/26), Wisconsin Court System, checked 1 November 2026
- Name change self-help, Wisconsin Court System, checked 1 November 2026
Checked 1 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source we used only because the official page could not be read.