Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in New Jersey
Filing a divorce complaint in New Jersey Superior Court, Family Part costs $300. The person who files, called the plaintiff, pays this fee. That's according to the New Jersey Courts' self-help pages. The other spouse, who responds as the defendant, pays a separate $175 fee to file an answer. Together these two fees are the baseline cost of getting a New Jersey divorce case on the docket. That's before any add-ons for parenting classes or contested issues. People with low income may qualify for a fee waiver, so they don't have to pay the filing fee upfront. If the case involves a request for custody or parenting time, both parents must also pay a separate $25 fee for the required Parents' Education Program. Beyond these court-set costs, the total price of a New Jersey divorce depends heavily on how the other spouse is served and how contested the case becomes.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how cost and filing fees works under New Jersey law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file New Jersey paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Superior Court filing fees
The New Jersey Courts publish the filing fee for a divorce complaint at $300. The plaintiff pays this when filing the case in the Family Part of Superior Court, in the county where either spouse lives. If the other spouse chooses to respond, the defendant pays a separate filing fee of $175 to file an answer or counterclaim. These fees are set at the state level and apply the same way in every county's Family Part. Still, a filer should confirm current amounts with the county Family Division before filing, since fee schedules change periodically.
Fee waivers for low income filers
New Jersey's self-help materials state directly that a person with low income may qualify for a fee waiver and can request one through the court. Requesting a waiver means the filing fee doesn't have to be paid upfront while the court reviews the request. Filers should check with Family Division intake staff in the county where they're filing. Ask about the specific fee waiver application used locally and what income documentation is required.
Serving the other spouse
After filing, the complaint must be served on the other spouse. New Jersey's self-help pages describe two common options: a county sheriff's officer can deliver the papers and file proof of service, or a private process server can do it. Both charge a fee separate from the court filing fee. The exact amount varies by county and by which process server is used. If the other spouse is willing to sign an acknowledgment of service, this step can be completed without a service fee.
Parents' Education Program fee
When a New Jersey divorce case includes a request involving custody or parenting time, both parents must complete a Parents' Education Program. The court's materials list a $25 fee for the program. This fee is separate from the complaint filing fee and the answer filing fee. It applies to each parent individually, not once per case. Contact the county Family Division for the current schedule of program sessions.
What makes a New Jersey divorce cost more
The complaint fee, answer fee, service cost, and any Parents' Education Program fee cover the basic mechanics of getting a case filed and moving. What drives the total cost up from there is how contested the case becomes. Disputes over equitable distribution of property, alimony, or parenting time can require case management conferences, discovery, and mediation or a settlement conference called an Early Settlement Panel. They can also require appraisals of real estate, retirement accounts, or a business. If the case doesn't settle, it goes to trial. An uncontested case, where both spouses agree and use a simplified track, keeps costs closer to the base filing and program fees.
Sources: New Jersey Courts: Self-Help - Divorce
Not independently confirmed
- Exact county sheriff's officer and private process server service fee amounts
- Specific fee waiver form name/number used at Family Division intake
- Whether e-filing through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system carries its own separate technology fee
Cost and Filing Fees in New Jersey: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in New Jersey?+
The New Jersey Courts list the Superior Court filing fee for a divorce complaint at $300, paid by the person filing. If the other spouse responds, they pay a separate $175 fee to file an answer. Confirm current amounts with your county's Family Division before filing, since court fee schedules change periodically.
What if I can't afford the New Jersey filing fee?+
If your income is low, you may qualify for a fee waiver, according to the New Jersey Courts' self-help materials. You request the waiver through the court, so you don't have to pay the filing fee upfront. Ask Family Division intake staff in your county for the fee waiver application and what financial documentation you'll need.
Does New Jersey charge extra to serve my spouse with divorce papers?+
Yes. A county sheriff's officer can deliver the papers and file proof of service, or you can hire a private process server. Both charge a fee separate from the $300 filing fee. The exact cost depends on the county and which process server you use. If your spouse signs an acknowledgment of service, you can avoid this cost.
Is the Parents' Education Program required and how much does it cost?+
If your case involves a request for custody or parenting time, both parents must complete New Jersey's Parents' Education Program. The court's materials list a $25 fee for the program, charged to each parent separately. Contact your county's Family Division for the current session schedule.
Does the defendant have to pay a separate fee in a New Jersey divorce?+
Yes. The plaintiff pays $300 to file the complaint. The defendant pays a separate $175 fee to file an answer or counterclaim, if they choose to respond. Both fees are set by the New Jersey Courts and apply the same way statewide.
What makes a New Jersey divorce cost more than the base filing fees?+
Contested issues drive up the cost. Disputes over equitable distribution of property, alimony, or parenting time can require case management conferences, discovery, and an Early Settlement Panel or mediation. They can also require appraisals of property or business interests, and potentially a trial. An uncontested case that both spouses agree on, filed on a simplified track, keeps costs closer to the base filing and program fees.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in New Jersey, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with New Jersey's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in New Jersey. Virdix does not prepare or file New Jersey divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in New Jersey.
More New Jersey 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 New Jersey, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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