How Much Are Court Filing Fees for Divorce in Alberta?

When a relationship ends, one of the first practical questions is what it costs just to start. Government court fees are a separate matter from what you may pay a lawyer, and they are usually much smaller. Knowing the filing amounts up front lets you budget and avoid surprises.

This article sets out the main Alberta court fees in a family case, the costs that fall outside those fees, and who may avoid them. Fees can change, so check the current amount with the court or on the Government of Alberta site before you file.

This article covers the law of Alberta.

The main filing fees in a family case

The Court of King's Bench has sole jurisdiction over divorce and property division in Alberta, and it also handles child and spousal support and parenting. The fees below are the ones most people meet first.

The $310 divorce fee includes a $10 fee to register with the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa.

Costs that sit outside filing fees

Filing fees are not the whole picture. A fee waiver covers court filing fees only, so you may still owe other costs such as search requests or photocopying.

Court-directed parenting services are another example. For Parental Conflict Intervention and Bi-Lateral Custody Assessments, the parties pay for the assessment, although you may qualify for a subsidy.

A court can also order one side to pay costs to the other. A successful party is generally entitled to a costs award against the unsuccessful party, but that entitlement is subject to the Court's discretion, so costs in family cases are discretionary, not automatic. A self-represented person is also not automatically entitled to fee costs.

• Search requests and photocopying are not covered by a fee waiver.
• Court-directed parenting assessments are paid by the parties, with a possible subsidy.
• Lawyer fees and any costs a court orders one side to pay are separate from filing fees.

Who can avoid the fees

A person who cannot afford court filing fees may apply for a fee waiver by completing the Application for Fee Waiver and Statement of Finances form and submitting it at the court where they plan to file. The household income limits are based on gross income and household size.

You cannot get a fee waiver if you are representing a business or an estate. For this purpose, family living in your household includes relatives by blood or marriage, common-law or interdependent adult partners, and children by blood or adoption if you have at least 50% custody.

Digital filing and fee exemptions

Since January 13, 2026, lawyers with a Law Society of Alberta Bar ID can file through the King's Bench Family & Divorce Filing Digital Service when a fee exemption applies. That covers a client holding a Legal Aid certificate, or a filing that includes a granted, signed fee waiver. Proof of fee-exempt status is required at filing.

For the full steps, documents and process for applying for a waiver, see the separate article on the Alberta fee waiver.

What to do next

• Work out which document you need to file: a divorce claim, a Family Law Act claim, or an application in an existing action.
• Confirm the current fee with the court or the Government of Alberta court fees page before you file, because fees can change.
• Check whether your household income falls under the fee waiver limits before you pay.
• Budget separately for searches, photocopying and any court-directed parenting assessment.
• If you need help with court forms and filing, you can call the Court and Justice Services Contact Centre at 1.855.738.4747, 8:15 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.
• Speak with a lawyer if you are unsure which claim or application fits your situation.

Frequently asked questions