The official fees for a Thai divorce are low: registering an amphur divorce is free, and a court claim for divorce alone costs 200 baht. Real costs come from translations, legalisation, serving a spouse abroad, property claims and lawyer time, and they rise sharply when a case is contested.
How much does an uncontested amphur divorce cost?
The registration itself costs nothing. The Department of Provincial Administration states that divorce registration is free, and copies cost 10 baht each.
The costs that remain are mostly about documents:
- Thai translations of a foreign passport or other foreign documents the district office asks for
- Certification of translations by the Department of Consular Affairs, at 200 baht per stamp for normal service
- An interpreter if the foreign spouse does not understand Thai
- Optional legal fees for drafting or checking the divorce agreement
- Later, translation and legalisation of the divorce certificate for use abroad
The agreement is where money is really at stake, because it settles property, support and parental power. A few hours of legal review at this stage usually costs far less than a later court case to fix an unclear clause.
What are the court fees for a divorce case?
Court fees follow the fee tables attached to the Civil Procedure Code. The main items for a divorce case are:
| Item | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Claim for divorce only (not a money claim) | 200 baht |
| Claim for property or money up to 50 million baht | 2% of the amount, capped at 200,000 baht |
| Part of the claim above 50 million baht | 0.1% |
| Claim for future periodic payments such as child support | 100 baht |
| Certificate that the judgment is final | 50 baht |
| Certified copy of court documents | 50 baht per document |
A case that combines divorce with a property claim pays the percentage fee, but not less than 200 baht. Service of court papers adds further costs.
What extra costs apply when one spouse is a foreigner?
Cross-border cases carry costs that a purely Thai case does not.
- Proof of foreign law. Under Section 27 of the Conflict of Laws Act B.E. 2481, a Thai court must be shown that the foreign spouse's national law allows divorce, usually through a legal opinion or certified extracts of that law.
- Service abroad. If the defendant lives abroad, the claim and summons must be translated and sent through official channels, which adds translation costs and months of time.
- Foreign documents. A foreign marriage certificate or decree needs legalisation in the issuing country, Thai translation and certification in Thailand.
- Using the Thai divorce abroad. Translation, legalisation and sometimes a recognition procedure in your home country, as in Germany.
Thailand joins the Apostille Convention on 28 February 2027, which should shorten some legalisation chains after that date.
Uncontested vs contested: how do costs compare?
| Cost driver | Uncontested | Contested |
|---|---|---|
| Official fees | Free registration | Court fees, higher with property claims |
| Lawyer time | Drafting and checking the agreement | Pleadings, evidence, hearings, possible appeal |
| Translations | A few documents | Many documents and exhibits |
| Travel | One appointment for each spouse | Hearings and witness appearances |
| Time | Usually one visit once ready | Months, often longer |
The cheapest divorce on paper can be the most expensive later. An unclear agreement on property or child support often leads to a second case, so pay for careful drafting before you sign.
What drives lawyer fees up?
Lawyer fees depend on the work, not on nationality. Expect higher fees when:
- your spouse refuses to divorce or contests the grounds;
- property is disputed, especially land, companies or assets in several countries;
- parental power or relocation of children is contested;
- the defendant must be served abroad;
- documents need extensive translation;
- either side appeals.
Ask for a written estimate for each stage, and for how fees change if the case settles at mediation.
Some costs are within your control:
- collect originals and certified copies yourself before the first meeting;
- agree uncontested points, such as the children's school, in writing early;
- use mediation seriously, because a settlement recorded by the court can end a case without a full trial;
- order all translations at once from one translator, in the format the receiving authority requires.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the court costs?
The court decides who bears court costs in its judgment, and the losing party is commonly ordered to pay them. Each side's own lawyer fees are a separate matter.
Can I ask for court fees to be waived?
Yes. The Civil Procedure Code lets a party who cannot afford court fees apply for exemption, and the court decides on the evidence of means.
Is an amphur divorce more expensive for a foreigner?
The registration is still free. Extra costs come only from translating and certifying foreign documents and from any interpreter.
Are there costs after the divorce?
Often. You may need extra certified copies, translation and legalisation for use abroad, a recognition procedure in your home country, and enforcement steps if agreed support is not paid.
Is it cheaper to divorce in my home country?
Sometimes, but compare the total. A foreign decree must still be legalised, translated and recorded in Thailand, and it cannot be enforced directly against property in Thailand.
Where should you start?
Work out first whether an agreed amphur divorce is realistic. If it is, spend on a well-drafted agreement; if not, ask a family lawyer for a staged estimate that includes service abroad and proof of foreign law.
Related reading: cost of suing a foreign husband for divorce (Thai), Thai court fees for divorce (Thai), and divorce certificate translation and legalisation.
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