Vermont Divorce Filing Fees and Costs (2026)
Court Filing Fee
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Complaint for Divorce | $100 |
| Certified copies of Decree | ~$5–$10 per copy |
Vermont's $100 filing fee is one of the lowest in the country.
Service Costs
| Method | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Acceptance of Service / Waiver | Free |
| County Sheriff or Vermont State Police | $30–$60 |
| Process server | $75–$150 |
| Publication (if spouse cannot be found) | ~$100–$300 |
Fee Waiver — Financial Hardship
Vermont waives court filing fees for qualifying low-income filers.
How to apply:
- Complete the Motion to Waive Fees (available at vermontjudiciary.org)
- File with the Complaint
- Court approves; fee waived
Vermont Legal Aid: vtlegalaid.org — free civil legal help statewide, including divorce.
Vermont Town Clerk — Deed Recording
Vermont land records are maintained by the Town Clerk of each town — NOT a county recorder. This is unique to Vermont.
After divorce, real estate deed changes are recorded at the Town Clerk's office of the town where the property is located.
Fee: approximately $15–$25 per document. Contact the specific town for current fees.
Ancillary Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Property Settlement Agreement (attorney review) | $500–$2,500 |
| QDRO for retirement plan | $500–$2,000 per plan |
| Real estate appraisal | $400–$700 |
| Vermont Town Clerk recording fee | ~$15–$25 |
| Business valuation | $3,000–$15,000 |
| Mediator | $100–$350/hour |
Total Cost Estimates
| Scenario | Estimated Total (self-represented) |
|---|---|
| Agreed, no children, no real estate | $130–$400 |
| Agreed, with children | $300–$700 |
| With real estate and retirement accounts | $600–$3,000 |
| Contested divorce | $10,000–$75,000+ |
Last reviewed: March 2026 | $100 filing fee | Fee waiver available | Vermont Town Clerk — town-level land records | No county recorder | QDRO required | Vermont VSERS | vtlegalaid.org | vermontjudiciary.org/family/divorce
Written by the SoLongSoulmate.com Editorial Team
Researched using official state court websites, state statutes, and legal aid resources. All filing fees and procedures verified March 2026. This is general legal information — not legal advice.
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.