Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Utah
Filing a petition for divorce or separate maintenance in Utah district court costs $350.00. This fee comes from Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(b)(iv) and took effect May 6, 2026. That is only the starting cost. The Utah Courts' own materials list several additional expenses that come with a typical divorce. These include a fee to serve the petition and summons on the other spouse, a fee to the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, and, in a case with minor children, fees for the required Divorce Orientation and Divorce Education classes. A filer who cannot afford the filing fee can ask the judge to waive it using a Motion to Waive Fees. Beyond these costs, a Utah divorce case's total price depends 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 Utah law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Utah paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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District court filing fee
Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(b)(iv) sets the filing fee for a petition for divorce or separate maintenance at $350.00. This fee took effect May 6, 2026. It is a single statewide statutory fee, so it applies the same way in every Utah district court, regardless of county. The Utah Courts' self-help materials list this filing fee as the first of several expected costs in a divorce case. Other costs include service fees, a Vital Records fee, and, for cases with minor children, education class fees.
Fee waiver: the Motion to Waive Fees
A filer who cannot afford the court fees can ask the judge to waive them. This requires submitting a Motion to Waive Fees, form 1305FAJ, along with a proposed Order on Motion to Waive Fees. According to the Utah Courts' self-help materials, a filer may qualify under several conditions. They may receive government benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FEP, or TANF. They may also receive services from a nonprofit legal aid provider or pro bono attorney. Some meet specific income thresholds that vary by family size. Others simply cannot afford court fees while still covering food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities for their family. The court can waive all, some, or none of the requested fees at its discretion.
Service, copying, and Vital Records fees
Beyond the filing fee, the Utah Courts' self-help materials list other costs typical in a divorce case. These include a fee to serve the petition and summons on the other spouse, through a sheriff, constable, or private process server. There are also copying costs and a fee for the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, which maintains the state's official divorce records. Each of these is a separate charge from the $350.00 district court filing fee. Amounts vary depending on the method of service used and the county.
Divorce Orientation and Divorce Education classes
In a Utah divorce case involving minor children, both parents generally must complete a Divorce Orientation class and a Parent Education (Divorce Education) class. Utah State University Extension, the court-designated provider, offers both online. As of USU Extension's published pricing, the online Divorce Orientation course costs $30. The online Parent Education course costs $35 per parent. The Utah Courts note that taking the in-person versions of these classes within 30 days of filing can qualify a filer for a discount. Fee waivers for the classes are available with court-approved documentation. A separate, free Divorce Education for Children program is also available for children ages 6 to 17.
What makes a Utah divorce cost more
The $350.00 filing fee, service fee, and required class fees cover the basic mechanics of an uncontested case where both spouses agree on the terms. A contested case costs more. It can require additional motions, discovery such as requests for financial records or depositions, and mediation. It may also require appraisals of real property, retirement accounts, or a business, plus multiple hearings before a district judge or commissioner. Disputes over property division, alimony, or custody and parent-time are the most common reasons a Utah divorce case ends up costing more than the filing, service, and class fees alone.
Sources: Utah Courts: Self-Help - Divorce, Utah Courts: Fee Waiver, Utah State University Extension: Divorce Orientation and Education (court-designated provider)
Not independently confirmed
- Exact in-person Divorce Orientation/Education class discount amount
- Sheriff/constable/process server service fee amounts by county
- Current Vital Records fee amount
Cost and Filing Fees in Utah: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Utah?+
Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(b)(iv) sets the district court filing fee for a petition for divorce or separate maintenance at $350.00. This fee took effect May 6, 2026. It is a single statewide statutory fee, so it applies the same way in every Utah county's district court.
What if I can't afford the Utah filing fee?+
You can ask the judge to waive the fee by submitting a Motion to Waive Fees, form 1305FAJ, along with a proposed order. You may qualify if you receive government benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF, or receive nonprofit legal aid. You may also qualify if you meet certain income thresholds, or otherwise cannot afford court fees while covering your family's basic necessities.
How much do the Utah divorce classes cost?+
If you have minor children, the online Divorce Orientation class costs $30. The online Parent Education (Divorce Education) class costs $35 per parent. Both are offered through Utah State University Extension, the court's designated provider. Taking the in-person versions within 30 days of filing can qualify you for a discount. Fee waivers are available with court-approved documentation.
Does Utah charge extra to serve my spouse with divorce papers?+
Yes. Serving the petition and summons through a sheriff, constable, or private process server costs money separate from the $350.00 filing fee. The amount depends on the method and county. The Utah Courts also note a separate fee for the Office of Vital Records and Statistics as part of a typical divorce case's costs.
Is there a free class for children in a Utah divorce?+
Yes. Utah offers a free Divorce Education for Children program for children ages 6 to 17, taught by mental health professionals. It is separate from the paid Divorce Orientation and Parent Education classes parents must complete. Registration details are available through utcourts.gov.
What makes a Utah divorce cost more than the filing fee?+
Contested cases cost more. Disputes over property division, alimony, or custody and parent-time can require additional motions, discovery, and mediation. They can also require appraisals of real estate or business interests, and multiple hearings before a judge or commissioner. An uncontested case where both spouses agree on the terms generally stays closer to the base filing, service, and class fees.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in Utah, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Utah's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Utah. Virdix does not prepare or file Utah divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Utah.
More Utah divorce guides
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