Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Connecticut
It costs $360 to file for a dissolution of marriage in Connecticut Superior Court. That is the standard civil cause entry fee under Connecticut General Statutes 52-259, listed in the Judicial Branch's Court Fees schedule, revised effective September 21, 2023. Connecticut has one statewide Superior Court system, so the fee is the same in every judicial district. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file an Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs/Appointment of Counsel - Family, form JD-FM-75. It can cover the entry fee, other filing fees, the cost of service of process by a state marshal, and the cost of the state's parenting education program. This page covers what the Judicial Branch publishes directly, and notes what depends on your case.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how cost and filing fees works under Connecticut law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Connecticut paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
Get notified when Virdix reaches Connecticut
We'll send one email, nothing else, the day Connecticut launches.
Filing fee: $360 entry fee
The Judicial Branch's Court Fees schedule sets the entry fee for a civil cause, which covers dissolution of marriage filings, at $360, under Connecticut General Statutes 52-259. A civil cause where the amount in demand is less than $2,500 costs $230 instead. A counterclaim, cross complaint, or third-party complaint costs $205. Post-judgment activity carries its own fees: a motion to modify a family judgment costs $180, and a motion related to a family judgment more generally, including motions to open or set aside, costs $130.
Fee waiver: form JD-FM-75
If you cannot afford court costs, you can file an Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs/Appointment of Counsel - Family, form JD-FM-75, under Connecticut General Statutes 46b-160(d), 46b-231, and 52-259b. The form lets you request a waiver of the entry fee, other filing fees, appellate filing fees, the cost of service of process by a state marshal or other proper officer, the cost of a transcript for appeal, and the cost of the state's parenting education program under Connecticut General Statutes 46b-69b. If the court denies your application, you can ask for a hearing.
Service of process costs
Connecticut requires divorce papers to be served by a state marshal or other proper officer, not by the plaintiff directly. The court's fee waiver form, JD-FM-75, confirms this cost can be waived for those who qualify. The Judicial Branch does not publish one statewide dollar amount for standard state marshal service, so confirm the current cost with the state marshal serving your case.
Parenting education program
Connecticut requires parents in most dissolution, custody, and visitation cases involving minor children to complete a parenting education program under Connecticut General Statutes 46b-69b. The JD-FM-75 fee waiver form confirms the program carries a cost that can be waived for those who qualify financially. The Judicial Branch does not publish one statewide dollar figure for the program's standard cost, so check with Court Support Services or your local Family Services office for the current amount.
What drives the total cost up
Connecticut's fee schedule shows contested activity adds cost on its own: a post-judgment motion to modify a family judgment costs $180, and other family motions run $130. Beyond court fees, a contested divorce involving discovery, additional motions, contested hearings, or expert witnesses such as appraisers or custody evaluators adds expense well beyond the base $360 entry fee. Connecticut's courts do not publish average attorney fee figures. This page does not estimate a total cost, because it depends on how contested the case becomes.
Sources: Connecticut Judicial Branch: Court Fees (revised effective September 21, 2023), Connecticut Judicial Branch: Family Law FAQ (self-represented parties), Connecticut Judicial Branch: form JD-FM-75, Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs/Appointment of Counsel - Family
Not independently confirmed
- Standard statewide dollar amount for state marshal service of process
- Standard statewide dollar cost of the C.G.S. 46b-69b parenting education program
- Any e-filing convenience fee for divorce case documents
Cost and Filing Fees in Connecticut: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Connecticut?+
Filing a dissolution of marriage in Connecticut Superior Court costs $360 in entry fees, per the Judicial Branch's Court Fees schedule under Connecticut General Statutes 52-259. This fee is the same statewide, since Connecticut operates one unified Superior Court system.
Can I get my Connecticut divorce filing fee waived?+
Yes. You can file an Application for Waiver of Fees/Payment of Costs/Appointment of Counsel - Family, form JD-FM-75, asking the court to waive the entry fee, other filing fees, service of process costs, or parenting education program costs. If your application is denied, you can request a hearing.
How much does it cost to serve divorce papers in Connecticut?+
Connecticut requires service by a state marshal or other proper officer. The Judicial Branch's fee waiver form confirms this cost can be waived for qualifying applicants. A standard statewide dollar amount is not published online, so confirm the current cost with the marshal serving your case.
Do I have to pay for a parenting class in a Connecticut divorce with kids?+
Connecticut requires parents in most cases involving minor children to complete a parenting education program under Connecticut General Statutes 46b-69b, which carries a cost. That cost can be waived for those who qualify financially, through form JD-FM-75. Check with Court Support Services or Family Services for the current standard amount.
What makes a Connecticut divorce cost more than the entry fee?+
Contested issues add cost: Connecticut charges $180 for a post-judgment motion to modify a family judgment and $130 for other family motions. A contested case involving discovery, additional motions, or expert witnesses adds further expense beyond the $360 base entry fee.
Does Connecticut publish average attorney fees for divorce?+
No. The Connecticut Judicial Branch does not publish average or typical attorney fee amounts for dissolution cases. Attorney fees vary by firm and by how contested a case becomes, and courts do not track or report them.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in Connecticut, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Connecticut's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Connecticut. Virdix does not prepare or file Connecticut divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Connecticut.
More Connecticut divorce guides
Virdix currently serves California and Florida
In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Connecticut, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
If the court clerk rejects a document we prepared, we fix it for free until it's accepted. See how the guarantee works