Mississippi Divorce Filing Fees and Costs (2026)
Mississippi has the lowest divorce filing fees in the United States — $52 to $100 depending on the county.
Court Filing Fee
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Complaint for Divorce (filing) | $52–$100 (varies by county) |
| Certified copies of Decree | $1–$5 per page |
Why so low? Mississippi sets court filing fees by statute and they have not been significantly increased in decades. The low fees are a feature of Mississippi's court system, not a sign of lower service.
No Sheriff Service Cost in Joint Cases
For a joint complaint (irreconcilable differences), no service of process is required — both spouses are co-complainants. This eliminates the service cost that applies in other states.
For a fault-based complaint (one spouse files): sheriff service costs approximately $30–$60.
Fee Waiver — Affidavit of Poverty
Mississippi waives filing fees for qualifying low-income filers.
How to apply:
- Complete an Affidavit of Poverty (or In Forma Pauperis affidavit)
- File with or before the Complaint
- Judge approves; filing fee waived
Eligibility: Income insufficient to pay costs without substantial hardship.
Ancillary Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Property Settlement Agreement drafting (attorney) | $500–$2,500 |
| QDRO for retirement plan | $500–$2,000 per plan |
| Real estate appraisal | $350–$700 |
| Business valuation | $3,000–$15,000 |
| Deed preparation | $150–$500 |
| Chancery Clerk deed recording | ~$10–$20 per page |
| Mediator | $150–$400/hour |
Total Cost Estimates
| Scenario | Estimated Total (self-represented) |
|---|---|
| Joint complaint, no children, no real estate | $60–$300 |
| Joint complaint, with children | $200–$600 |
| With real estate and retirement accounts | $600–$2,500 |
| Fault-based, contested | $5,000–$50,000+ |
Mississippi vs. Other States
| State | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $52–$100 |
| Arkansas | $165 |
| Iowa | $185–$220 |
| California | $435 |
| Connecticut | $350 |
Mississippi's fees are consistently the lowest nationally — making it one of the most affordable states for self-represented filers.
Last reviewed: March 2026 | $52–$100 — lowest in US | No service cost for joint complaints | Affidavit of Poverty available | Chancery Clerk for deed recording | Chancery Court handles all divorce cases
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.