Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Tennessee
You file for divorce in Tennessee in the chancery or circuit court of the county where you or your spouse lives. The filing fee is not one number statewide. Tennessee's court clerks assess filing costs under the state's litigation tax and clerk's fee framework in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8. Litigation taxes and certain clerk fees are set in part at the county level. Because of that, the total a filer pays to open a divorce case commonly differs between counties. A person who cannot afford the filing costs can ask the court to waive them by filing a Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency. Beyond the filing cost, a Tennessee divorce case's total cost depends on serving the other spouse, whether the county requires a parenting class, 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 Tennessee law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Tennessee paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Why the filing fee varies by county
Tennessee divorce cases are filed in chancery or circuit court. The clerk's filing costs combine state litigation taxes with local clerk's fees authorized under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8, Chapter 21. Some components of this total are set at the county level. That means what a filer pays to open a divorce case in Shelby County can differ from Davidson County or a smaller rural county. Filers should confirm the current total filing cost with the clerk of the chancery or circuit court in the county where they plan to file. Do this before submitting a petition.
The Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency
A person who cannot afford the filing costs can ask to proceed without prepaying them. They do this by filing a Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency, a standard form used across Tennessee's courts for this purpose. The affidavit is a sworn statement of the filer's financial circumstances. It's submitted to the clerk along with, or before, the divorce petition. If the court approves the affidavit, the filing costs are waived and the case can proceed without payment upfront.
Serving the other spouse
After filing, Tennessee requires the divorce complaint and summons to be served on the other spouse. This is typically done through the county sheriff or a private process server, and both charge a fee separate from the court's filing costs. If the other spouse voluntarily signs a waiver of service, this step can be completed without a separate service fee. When a spouse's location is unknown, service by publication is available but requires a court order and newspaper publication costs on top of the filing costs already assessed.
Parenting class requirements
Many Tennessee counties require parents in a divorce case involving minor children to complete a parenting education seminar before the court will enter a final decree. The specific requirement and approved providers are typically set locally by the county's courts, rather than through a single statewide program. The class fee, when one applies, is generally set and collected by the outside provider running the class. Check with the chancery or circuit court clerk in the county where the case is filed for the current requirement and cost.
What makes a Tennessee divorce cost more
The filing costs and a basic service fee cover an uncontested case where both spouses agree on the terms, sometimes handled through Tennessee's simplified irreconcilable differences divorce process. A contested case costs more because it can require additional motions and discovery, such as requests for financial records or depositions. It can also involve mediation, appraisals of real estate, retirement accounts, or a business, plus multiple hearings before a chancellor or circuit judge. Disputes over property division, alimony, or parenting arrangements are the most common reasons a Tennessee divorce case ends up costing more than the base filing and service fees.
Sources: Tennessee Courts: Access to Justice Self-Help Center, Tennessee Courts: Rules
Not independently confirmed
- Exact current total filing cost for any specific Tennessee county
- Specific Tennessee Supreme Court rule number for the Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency
- Sheriff/process server fee amounts by county
- Individual county parenting seminar requirement and cost
Cost and Filing Fees in Tennessee: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Tennessee?+
There is no single statewide number. Tennessee filing costs combine state litigation taxes with clerk's fees set in part at the county level under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8. That's why the total differs between counties. Confirm the current filing cost with the clerk of the chancery or circuit court in the county where you plan to file.
What if I can't afford the Tennessee filing fee?+
You can file a Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency, a sworn statement of your financial circumstances, asking the court to waive the filing costs. Submit it to the clerk along with, or before, your divorce petition. If the court approves it, your case can proceed without paying the filing costs upfront.
Does Tennessee charge extra to serve my spouse with divorce papers?+
Yes. Serving the complaint and summons through the county sheriff or a private process server carries a fee separate from the filing costs. The amount depends on the county and method. If your spouse signs a waiver of service, you can avoid that cost. If their location is unknown, service by publication requires a court order and separate newspaper costs.
Is a parenting class required in a Tennessee divorce with children?+
Many Tennessee counties require a parenting education seminar before finalizing a divorce with minor children, but the specific requirement and approved providers are typically set locally. Check with the chancery or circuit court clerk in the county where you're filing for the current requirement and its cost.
Why doesn't Tennessee publish one statewide divorce filing fee?+
Tennessee filing costs are made up of state litigation taxes plus clerk's fees. Some of those components are set at the county level under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8. That local variation is why the total filing cost differs from one Tennessee county to the next.
What makes a Tennessee divorce cost more than the filing fee?+
Contested cases cost more. Disputes over property division, alimony, or parenting arrangements can require additional motions, discovery, and mediation. They can also require appraisals of real estate or business interests, plus multiple hearings before a chancellor or circuit judge. An uncontested case using Tennessee's irreconcilable differences process generally keeps costs closer to the base filing and service fees.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in Tennessee, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Tennessee's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Virdix does not prepare or file Tennessee divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Tennessee.
More Tennessee 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 Tennessee, 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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