Vital Records Online
 
 

How Much Does a Divorce Certificate Cost? (State-by-State Guide)

Divorce certificate fees range from about $10 to $35 per certified copy, depending on the state. Here’s a state-by-state guide to divorce certificate costs and what affects the total.

  1. Home
  2. FAQs
  3. Divorce Certificates
  4. How Much Does a Divorce Certificate Cost? (State-by-State Guide)

Certified divorce certificates typically cost between $10 and $35 per copy from a state vital records office. The exact fee depends on the state where the divorce was granted, whether the record is issued by the state or the county clerk, how many copies you order, and whether you use a service like Vital Records Online.

State-by-State Divorce Certificate Fees

State State Fee (per copy) Issued By
California $16 State
Texas $20 State or county
Florida $5 State (by year)
New York $30 State
Pennsylvania Varies by county County court
Ohio Varies by county County court
Illinois Varies by county County circuit court
Georgia $10 State or county
North Carolina $24 State or county
Michigan $34 State
Virginia $12 State
Montana $15 State (VRO e-filed)

State fees shown are approximate and subject to change. Visit the state page linked above for the most current pricing and ordering options.

What Affects the Total Cost?

State or County Issuance

Some states issue divorce certificates from a central vital records office. In others, only the county clerk of the court that granted the divorce issues certified copies — and fees vary by county. When ordering, it’s important to know which office is the correct source for your record.

Number of Copies

Additional copies ordered at the same time are typically discounted. If you anticipate needing multiple copies — for remarriage, Social Security, immigration, and name changes — ordering together saves money and time.

Processing Speed and Shipping

Standard processing is usually included in the base fee. Expedited handling and 2-Day Air return shipping add cost but significantly reduce the time you wait. In Montana, VRO’s electronic filing as an approved vendor lets the state process applications in a few business days.

Ordering Method

  • In person at court clerk — lowest-cost option; requires local access
  • By mail — same fee but slower
  • State or court online ordering — convenience fee may apply
  • Through VRO — adds a service fee for application review, filing, and support

Divorce Decree Costs (vs. Certificate)

If you need the full divorce decree — the court order, not the summary certificate — costs are generally lower per copy but may include per-page certification fees. Decrees are issued by the court clerk, not the state vital records office. See divorce certificate vs. divorce decree to understand which document you need.

Fee Waivers

A limited number of states offer fee waivers for:

  • Domestic violence survivors
  • Low-income applicants
  • Recipients of public assistance

Contact the state vital records office or county clerk directly to ask about availability and eligibility.

Ready to Order?

Start your divorce certificate order through VRO. We handle divorce record requests from every U.S. state and offer expedited handling with 2-Day Air return shipping.

Related FAQs

Related FAQs