Can I get a divorce for free in the UK?
A divorce can be free in some cases, but only if you qualify for help with the court fee and you do the divorce yourself. For most people, there is at least a court fee to pay, and extra costs may apply if finances, property, pensions or children arrangements need sorting.
Last updated 2026 · General UK divorce cost information. Court fees, fee help rules and solicitor fees can change.
Free divorce usually means two things.
First, you do not pay a solicitor because you handle the divorce application yourself. Second, you qualify for help with the court fee, so the court fee is reduced or removed.
If you do not qualify for help with fees, the divorce is not usually free. If you need advice about money, property, pensions, debts, children or a financial order, that is also separate from the basic divorce application.
A completely free divorce usually needs three things.
Check whether “free” really covers what you need.
Use this guide to understand court fees, Help with Fees, fee exemption, DIY divorce, what free divorce does not include and when paid support may be safer.
There is a difference between free divorce and cheap divorce.
A divorce can be low-cost without being free. The court fee, legal advice, financial orders and solicitor help are different costs. You need to know which one you are trying to avoid.
DIY divorce with fee help
This is the closest route to a free divorce if you qualify and the case is simple enough.
Court fee only
This is common where you do the divorce yourself but do not qualify for help with court fees.
Paid legal support
This may be needed if there are assets, disputes, pressure, pensions, property or court issues.
How much is the divorce court fee?
The divorce court fee depends on where the divorce is dealt with. The UK does not have one single divorce court system.
England and Wales
£612The standard fee to apply for a divorce, dissolution or nullity. Help with Fees may reduce or remove the fee if you qualify.
Scotland simplified divorce
£156The sheriff court simplified divorce fee from 1 April 2026. This route only applies if your case meets the simplified divorce rules.
Northern Ireland
£326The current fee to lodge a divorce petition. Further fees can apply at later stages of the Northern Ireland divorce process.
| Country | Fee position | Can it be free? |
|---|---|---|
| England and WalesOnline or paper divorce application. | £612 | Yes, if you qualify for Help with Fees and the court accepts your application for fee help. |
| Scotland simplified divorceOnly available for certain straightforward cases. | £156 | Possibly, if you qualify for Scottish court fee exemption. |
| Scotland ordinary divorceUsed where simplified divorce is not available. | Higher / stage fees | Fee exemption may be available, but ordinary divorce can involve more work and further fees. |
| Northern IrelandPetition and later court stages. | £326 petition fee | Help with fees may be available depending on your circumstances and the court process. |
Court fees can change. Always check the current fee before applying, especially if you are close to submitting your divorce application.
Can I avoid paying the divorce court fee?
You may be able to pay a reduced fee or no court fee if you are on a low income, receive certain benefits or have limited savings. This is usually the part that makes a divorce genuinely free.
The name of the scheme depends on where your divorce is dealt with. England and Wales use Help with Fees. Scotland uses court fee exemption. Northern Ireland has its own court fee help process.
Can I do the divorce myself for free?
DIY divorce means you handle the application yourself. It can remove solicitor fees, but you still need to understand the process and whether the divorce itself is the only thing you need.
DIY may be suitable
These are the safer signs for a low-cost or free route.
DIY may not be enough
These issues often need extra help.
A free divorce does not automatically sort finances.
This is the most important point. The divorce application ends the marriage. It does not automatically divide assets or stop future financial claims.
| Issue | Is it included in the divorce? | What may be needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Ending the marriageThe legal divorce process itself. | Yes | The divorce application and court process. |
| Clean breakStopping future financial claims where appropriate. | No | A clean break order or financial consent order may be needed. |
| Agreed financesProperty, savings, debts, pensions or maintenance. | No | A consent order may be needed to make the agreement binding. |
| Disputed financesWhen you cannot agree what should happen. | No | Mediation, solicitor advice or financial remedy proceedings may be needed. |
| Children arrangementsWhere children live and spend time. | No | Parenting agreement, mediation, solicitor advice or a separate children application may be needed. |
A free divorce can be useful if the divorce itself is all you need. It can be risky if it leaves money, property, pensions or future claims unfinished.
Free can become expensive if the wrong things are left open.
The lowest-cost route is not always wrong. The risk is using a free or DIY route when the real issue is financial protection, safety or a dispute.
Financial warning signs
These often need more than a divorce application.
Process warning signs
These can make a free route unsafe or unsuitable.
Before trying to get divorced for free.
Use this checklist before choosing a free or DIY divorce route.
Cost checks
Work out whether the divorce can actually be free.
Risk checks
Check whether free divorce is enough.
Free divorce questions.
Short answers to the questions people usually ask when looking for a free divorce in the UK.
Can I get divorced for free in the UK?
Possibly, but only if you do the divorce yourself and qualify for help with the court fee or fee exemption. If you do not qualify, you will usually need to pay the court fee.
Is online divorce free?
The official court process may still have a court fee. Some people apply online themselves and only pay the court fee. Managed online divorce services usually charge a service fee.
Can I get help paying the £612 divorce fee in England and Wales?
Yes, Help with Fees may be available if you meet the income, benefits and savings rules. If accepted, the court fee may be reduced or removed.
Can I get a free divorce in Scotland?
You may be able to avoid or reduce the Scottish court fee if you qualify for fee exemption. Scotland also has different divorce routes, including simplified and ordinary divorce.
Can I get a free divorce in Northern Ireland?
Help with court fees may be available depending on your circumstances. Northern Ireland has its own divorce process and fees, including a fee to lodge the petition.
Does a free divorce sort out money?
No. The divorce ends the marriage. It does not automatically sort property, pensions, debts, savings, maintenance or future financial claims.
Do I need a solicitor for a free divorce?
Not always. Some people handle the divorce application themselves. However, legal advice may be important if there are finances, assets, pressure, children issues or a dispute.
What is the cheapest way to divorce?
The cheapest route is usually DIY divorce with help with court fees if you qualify. But the cheapest route is only suitable if it deals with the issues you actually have.