North Dakota Divorce Filing Fees and Costs (2026)
North Dakota's $80 filing fee is one of the lowest divorce filing fees in the entire United States.
Court Filing Fee
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Complaint for Divorce | $80 |
| Certified copies of Judgment | $1–$3 per page |
Service Costs
| Method | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Acceptance of Service (spouse signs) | Free |
| Sheriff's service | $25–$50 |
| Process server | $50–$100 |
Fee Waiver — Financial Hardship
North Dakota waives filing fees for qualifying low-income filers.
How to apply:
- Complete the Affidavit of Indigency (District Court form)
- File with the Complaint
- Judge approves; fee waived
Forms: ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/family-law/divorce
Legal Services of North Dakota: legalnd.org — statewide free civil legal assistance. ND Legal Self-Help Center: ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help
North Dakota Recorder — Deed Recording
After divorce, real estate deed changes are recorded at the North Dakota Recorder (also called Register of Deeds in some counties) in the county where the property is located.
Fee: approximately $15–$25 per document. North Dakota may impose a Documentary Stamp Tax on deed transfers — divorce-related transfers between spouses may be exempt; confirm with the county Recorder.
Ancillary Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Separation Agreement (attorney review) | $300–$1,500 |
| QDRO for retirement plan | $400–$1,500 per plan |
| Real estate appraisal | $300–$600 |
| ND Recorder deed recording | ~$15–$25 |
| Business valuation | $2,500–$10,000 |
| Mediator | $100–$300/hour |
Total Cost Estimates
| Scenario | Estimated Total (self-represented) |
|---|---|
| Agreed, no children, no real estate | $85–$200 |
| Agreed, with children | $150–$350 |
| With real estate and retirement accounts | $400–$2,000 |
| Contested divorce | $5,000–$40,000+ |
Last reviewed: March 2026 | $80 filing fee — one of the lowest in the US | Fee waiver available (Affidavit of Indigency) | ND Recorder — county level | legalnd.org | ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/family-law/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.