Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Minnesota
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Minnesota district court costs $365 statewide. That is a $315 base fee plus a $50 additional fee, set under Minnesota Statutes 357.021, subdivision 2(1), and section 518.005, subdivision 6. Minnesota counties can also add a law library fee on top of this base amount. So the exact total can differ slightly by county. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has filers select their county to see the calculated total. If you have a low income or cannot afford the filing fee, Minnesota lets you ask the judge for a Fee Waiver. This is also called proceeding In Forma Pauperis (IFP), using the Fee Waiver Court Forms. This page covers what the Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes directly, and flags what depends on your county.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how cost and filing fees works under Minnesota law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Minnesota paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Filing fee: $365 base, plus a possible county law library fee
The Minnesota Judicial Branch's District Court Fees schedule sets the fee for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce), with or without children, at $365. That is a $315 base fee plus a $50 additional fee, under Minnesota Statutes 357.021, subdivision 2(1), 134A.09, 134A.10, and 518.005, subdivision 6. This base amount does not include a county law library fee. Minnesota counties can add that fee on top, so the total can vary slightly depending on where you file. The Judicial Branch's fee tool lets you select your county to see the exact total. A Legal Separation or Annulment costs $335 (a $285 base fee plus $50). A Dissolution/Custody, Paternity, Parenting Time, or Registration filing costs $285.
Fee waiver: Fee Waiver (IFP)
If you have a low income or cannot afford the filing fee, Minnesota lets you ask the judge for a fee waiver. This is commonly called proceeding In Forma Pauperis (IFP). You complete the Fee Waiver Court Forms and bring them to court with the paperwork you want to file. Or you can use Minnesota's Guide & File tool to create the forms and, depending on your case, file them electronically. Minnesota's Self-Help Center and Legal Advice Clinics can help you fill out the forms if needed.
Motions and other case-related fees
Minnesota's district court fee schedule charges $75 to file a motion, or a response to a motion, in a family case. This is set under Minnesota Statutes 357.021, subdivision 2(4). A Forms Packet for Dissolution with Children or Dissolution without Children costs $10. These fees are separate from, and in addition to, the base $365 dissolution filing fee.
Parenting classes and service of process
Minnesota generally requires parents in a dissolution case involving minor children to complete a parent education program. The specific requirement, provider, and cost are set at the district or county level, not as one statewide dollar figure on the Judicial Branch's fee schedule. The fee schedule also does not list one fixed statewide sheriff or process server fee for serving the divorce papers. Confirm the parenting class requirement and cost, and the current service cost, with the district court or sheriff's office in the county where your case is filed.
What drives the total cost up
Minnesota's own fee schedule shows that added steps carry their own charge. A motion or response to a motion costs $75, on top of the base $365 dissolution fee. Beyond scheduled fees, a contested dissolution adds more expense. Discovery, additional motions, contested hearings, or expert witnesses such as appraisers or custody evaluators all add cost beyond the base filing fee. Minnesota's courts do not publish average attorney fee figures. This page does not estimate a total cost, since that depends on how contested the case becomes.
Sources: Minnesota Judicial Branch: District Court Fees ($365 dissolution base fee, archived 6/24/2025), Minnesota Judicial Branch: Fee Waiver (IFP) (archived 6/24/2025), Minnesota Judicial Branch: Divorce Help Topic (archived 6/24/2025)
Not independently confirmed
- Exact current total fee including each county's added law library fee
- Name/cost of local parent education programs by district or county
- Statewide sheriff or process server service fee
- Any e-filing convenience fee through Minnesota's e-filing system
- Whether these archived fee amounts remain unchanged as of the current date (the primary mncourts.gov site was not reachable for live verification at the time this page was prepared)
Cost and Filing Fees in Minnesota: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Minnesota?+
The Minnesota Judicial Branch's District Court Fees schedule sets the base fee for a Dissolution of Marriage at $365 ($315 base plus $50). This is under Minnesota Statutes 357.021 and 518.005. Counties can add a law library fee on top. So the exact total can vary slightly by county.
Can I get my Minnesota divorce filing fee waived?+
Yes. Minnesota lets you ask the judge for a Fee Waiver, also called proceeding In Forma Pauperis (IFP). Complete the Fee Waiver Court Forms, or prepare them through Minnesota's Guide & File tool.
How much does it cost to file a motion in a Minnesota divorce case?+
Filing a motion, or a response to a motion, in a Minnesota family case costs $75, under Minnesota Statutes 357.021, subdivision 2(4). This is separate from the base $365 dissolution filing fee.
Do I have to pay for a parenting class in a Minnesota divorce with kids?+
Minnesota generally requires a parent education program for cases involving minor children. The specific requirement, provider, and cost are set at the district or county level, not as one statewide figure. Check with the district court where your case is filed.
What makes a Minnesota divorce cost more than the base filing fee?+
Filing motions adds $75 each on top of the base $365 dissolution fee. A contested case involving discovery, additional motions, contested hearings, or expert witnesses costs more than the scheduled court fees.
Does Minnesota publish average attorney fees for divorce?+
No. Minnesota's court system does not publish average or typical attorney fee figures for dissolution cases. Attorney fees vary by firm and by how contested the case becomes. The courts don't track or report this.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in Minnesota, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Minnesota's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Virdix does not prepare or file Minnesota divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Minnesota.
More Minnesota divorce guides
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