Court Fees

Introduction

There is a court fee for most, but not all, applications to court.

The current fees, in force November 2025, are in this comprehensive list.

Many people do not have to pay the fee because they are on a low income or on certain benefits. This is called ‘fee remission’ or ‘help with fees’. It’s easy to apply for this and we tell you how below.

Common fees

The most common family court fees are set out below and in this guide. Always double check what we have written here in the guide, in case the fee has changed. These tend to go up once per year.

Children

Domestic abuse

Divorce

Finances on divorce

Additionally, the fee for a transfer of tenancy is £245.

How to pay the fee

You must pay fees online when you use an online service.

If you are applying on paper, you can pay a court or tribunal:

• by phone with a debit or credit card

• in person by cheque, cash, debit or credit card

• online

Sometimes the form tells you how you can pay, and the court ring you if you tick the box to pay by card. If it is not clear, ask the court or tribunal if you can pay them by phone, in person or online. You may need to book an appointment to pay in person.

Some fees can also be paid by post with a cheque. Ask the court or tribunal for details, including the address that it needs to be sent to. Make the cheque out to ‘HM Courts and Tribunals Service’.

Help with fees

You may not have to pay a fee, or you may get some money off if you:

• have no savings or investments, or only a small amount

• receive certain benefits

• receive income below a certain amount

You can check the criteria. Some people only need to pay a portion of the fee.

If you are unsure, you can also you can use this excel spreadsheet to put in your income and capital and it will tell you if there is a fee to pay or a reduced fee. (The form asks if you are in a couple. If you are getting divorced, you are not in a couple with the person you are divorcing.)

Applying online

If you are making an application online, or you want to complete the form online, go to Help with Fees.

There is a short form. At the end, if you are eligible for help with fees then it will give you a long code starting with HWF and you put this number on your application form.

This document provides clear guidance on how to apply.

Some helpful tips:

Choose ‘single’ if you:

• live alone (with or without dependent children) and rely on your own income

• are permanently separated and may be in the process of applying for a divorce, dissolution or annulment, and you do not live with a new partner

• have a partner, but they have a conflicting interest in your case

If you are applying in a family case you are not paying a hearing fee and you are not applying for probate.

Contact We Are Group if you want to apply but do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it:

We Are Group
support@wearegroup.com
Telephone: 03300 160 051
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
Find out about call charges

Applying on paper

If you are making a paper application for Help with Fees, you need to complete form EX160 and print and send it with your application.

The court might write back and ask for evidence such as a letter setting out your eligibility for universal credit. There’s no need to send anything unless they ask.

Getting a fee back

If you’ve already paid the fee, and you discover you didn’t have to pay it, you can ask for a refund if:

• you paid the fee in the last 3 months

• you were eligible for help when you paid it

If you’re applying for money off a fee you’ve already paid, send your help with fees application to the court or tribunal you paid your fee to.

Exceptional circumstances

If you are not eligible for help with fees for any reason and are likely to experience exceptional hardship, you may be eligible for a part or full fee remission under the Lord Chancellor’s exceptional power. Contact the court to ask about this.