How To Get Help With Court Fees for Divorce Applications in the UK
- Aaron O'Toole, MSc in Law and Business
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Divorce can be a financially taxing process. While the emotional impact may be unavoidable, the financial burden of applying for a divorce in England and Wales can be eased through the Help with Fees scheme — a government backed scheme to assist those on low incomes or receiving certain benefits. In this article, we explain how the Help with Fees system works, who qualifies, and how to apply for it when submitting a divorce application.
What Are Court Fees in a Divorce?
As of May 2025, the standard court fee for applying for a divorce in England and Wales is a whopping £612. This fee covers the cost of submitting your divorce application to the court, whethhttp://completely.iser done online or by post.
What Is the ‘Help with Fees’ Scheme?
The Help with Fees scheme allows those on low income to apply to reduce the court fee and often waive the fee altogether.
Who Is Eligible for Help with Fees?
You may qualify for full or partial assistance with court fees if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Receiving Certain Benefits:
You are likely eligible if you (or your partner, if applying jointly) receive one of the following means-tested benefits:
Universal Credit (with income conditions)
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
On a Low Income:
If you're not on one of the listed benefits, you may still qualify if your gross monthly income is below a certain threshold, which varies depending on:
Whether you are single or in a couple
How many dependent children you have
Your housing costs and savings
As a general guide, if your income before tax is below £1,420 per month (for a single person with no children), you may qualify — though you must also meet savings limits.
Savings Threshold:
To be eligible, you must have less than:
£4,250 in savings (if you’re under 66 years old), or
£16,000 if you’re over 66.
How to Apply for Help with Fees in a Divorce
Use the official government application form here: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees This is an online form which is called EX160.
The form asks for details about:
Your income and expenses
Any benefits you receive
Your savings and investments
You will receive a unique reference number, called an ‘HWF reference’, once the form is submitted. You will have 30 days to use this code otherwise you will need to apply again and generate a new code.
Next, you need to add the HWF Reference to Your Divorce Application. If you’re applying for divorce online, you’ll be prompted to enter your HWF reference number on the application form. This lets the court know you're applying for the scheme.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once submitted, HMCTS will assess your application and about 2 weeks later, let you know if your court fee is waived entirely, if you must pay a reduced fee, or if you are not eligible (and must pay the full fee).
If your application is rejected, you can appeal or reapply with more information. The court can also request further proof of your financial situation.
If you are eligible for a reduction in the fee or you are not eligible for any reduction, you will then be told how much you need to pay. Your divorce application will not progress until you have paid the remaining fee.
Joint Applications
If you’re applying for a divorce with your spouse jointly, both parties must apply for Help with Fees separately.
Final Thoughts
If you're worried about the cost of divorce, you’re not alone. The Help with Fees scheme is there to ensure that financial barriers do not stop people from accessing the legal system. Whether you're on benefits or on a low income, it’s worth checking your eligibility before paying the full court fee.
This small step could save you hundreds of pounds and make the divorce process that little bit easier.
Written by Aaron O'Toole, MSc in Law and Business
Clean Break Divorce
Comments