DivorceGuideNKY DivorceGuideNKY
Northern Kentucky courthouse exterior
Northern Kentucky & Greater Cincinnati

Where to File for Divorce.
County by County.

Boone, Kenton, Campbell (KY) & Hamilton County (OH). Real addresses, current fees, required forms — without the runaround.

Find Your County Estimate Your Fees
✓ Verified May 2025 · KY & OH covered · No attorney required
🔵
Kentucky File with Circuit Court Clerk
vs.
🔴
Ohio File with Domestic Relations Court

Kentucky and Ohio have completely different court systems for divorce. Make sure you're filing in the right state — you file where you reside, not your spouse.

County Directory

Find Your Filing Office

Select your county for addresses, hours, fees, and step-by-step instructions specific to that courthouse.

KY

Boone County, Kentucky

Burlington · Florence
Circuit Court Clerk — Burlington (Main)
Boone County Justice Center
6025 Rogers Lane, Room 141
Burlington, KY 41005
859-448-2900
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bonds/payments cutoff: 3:30 pm
Filing Fee~$148–$153
ClerkDavid S. Martin
Walk-inYes — no appointment needed
Pay onlineePay available
Full Boone County Guide →
KY

Kenton County, Kentucky

Covington · Independence
Circuit Court Clerk — Kenton Justice Center
Kenton County Justice Center
230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor
Covington, KY 41011
859-292-6314
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
No Saturday/Sunday service
Filing Fee$153 (verified)
ClerkJohn C. Middleton
Self-Help CenterWed 11 am–2 pm, 2nd Floor
Walk-inYes
Full Kenton County Guide →
KY

Campbell County, Kentucky

Newport · Alexandria
Circuit Court Clerk — Campbell Courthouse
Campbell County Courthouse
330 York Street
Newport, KY 41071
859-292-6314 ext. 1
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cash required for bonds
Filing Fee~$148–$153
Walk-inYes
Pay onlineePay available
NoteFamily Court: confidential cases require photo ID
Full Campbell County Guide →
OH

Hamilton County, Ohio

Cincinnati · Blue Ash · Mason
Domestic Relations Court — Docket Office
800 Broadway, Room 346
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-946-9167
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Court TypeDomestic Relations Court (not Circuit Clerk)
Copies/DecreesRoom 347 or 1000 Main St, Rm 315
Key DifferenceOhio: Dissolution vs. Divorce — two separate tracks
⚠ Ohio is different. Ohio has two tracks: Dissolution (both agree) and Divorce (contested). Kentucky only has Dissolution of Marriage for both. This changes your forms and timeline significantly.
Full Hamilton County Guide →
⚖️
Can't afford the filing fee? Both KY and OH offer fee waivers for qualifying low-income filers. In Kentucky, file Form AOC-026 (Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) at the same time as your petition. In Ohio, ask the clerk for an IFP form at the Docket window. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass serves Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and surrounding NKY counties: 859-431-8200 or lablaw.org.
Step by Step

How the Process Works

  1. 01

    Meet Residency Requirements

    At least one spouse must have lived in Kentucky for 180 consecutive days before filing. You file in the county where either you or your spouse currently resides. Military stationed in KY counts as residency.

    💡 Count from the day you physically moved — not when you got your KY driver's license.
  2. 02

    Complete the AOC-252 Packet

    All Kentucky divorce forms start with the AOC-252 packet, available free from the Kentucky Court of Justice website or your county clerk's office. Key forms:

    • AOC-252 — Verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
    • AOC-252.1 — Waiver of Service (if spouse agrees)
    • AOC-252.4 — Separation Agreement (property division)
    • AOC-252.5 — Deposition of Petitioner
    • AOC-252.6 — Findings of Fact / Decree
    • AOC-252.8 — Motion to Submit
    • AOC-238 — Financial Disclosure (due 45 days after service)
    • VS-300 — Certificate of Divorce (vital statistics)
    💡 Self-represented filers must file paper copies. Attorneys must e-file. Bring two copies of everything.
  3. 03

    File at the Circuit Court Clerk

    Walk your packet to the Circuit Court Clerk's office in your county (see directory above). Pay the filing fee ($113–$250 depending on county — call ahead to confirm). The clerk stamps your documents and assigns a case number. Keep your file-stamped copies.

    💡 Payment options vary: most accept cash, local check, money order, and credit/debit (with a small processing fee).
  4. 04

    Serve Your Spouse

    Your spouse must be officially served within 45 days of filing or the case is dismissed. Service options in Kentucky:

    • Certified mail (clerk handles this — ~$12 per defendant)
    • Sheriff service ($50–$100)
    • Private process server ($75–$150)
    • Spouse signs AOC-252.1 waiving service (free — simplest for uncontested)

    Once served, your spouse has 20 days to respond.

  5. 05

    Wait the Mandatory 60 Days

    Kentucky law (KRS 403.170) requires a mandatory 60-day separation period before a judge can sign the final decree — even if both spouses agree on everything. This clock starts from the date you file, not from service.

    💡 Use these 60 days to finalize your separation agreement, financial disclosures (AOC-238 is due within 45 days of service), and parenting plan if you have minor children.
  6. 06

    Submit the Final Decree

    After 60 days, file AOC-252.8 (Motion to Submit) and AOC-252.6 (the Decree) with the clerk. The judge reviews and signs. In uncontested cases, you typically do not need to appear in court — the clerk submits to the judge on your behalf. The finalized decree is mailed to you.

Minimum Timeline (Uncontested)
FileDay 1
ServeBy Day 45
60-Day WaitMandatory
Final Decree~Day 70–90
At a Glance

Fees & Required Forms

County State Filing Fee Where to File Key Form Guide
Boone County KY ~$148–$153 Circuit Court Clerk, Burlington AOC-252 packet Guide →
Kenton County KY $153 Circuit Court Clerk, Covington AOC-252 packet Guide →
Campbell County KY ~$148–$153 Circuit Court Clerk, Newport AOC-252 packet Guide →
Hamilton County OH Call to confirm Domestic Relations Court, 800 Broadway Local DR forms Guide →

Download Official Forms

📄
Kentucky AOC-252 Packet All KY divorce forms — free from courts.ky.gov
📄
Kentucky AOC-026 (Fee Waiver) Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
📄
Hamilton County OH — Domestic Relations Ohio DR Court forms and local rules
✅
Kentucky Divorce Filing Checklist Everything you need before going to the courthouse
Download PDF

Documents to Bring

  • Completed AOC-252 packet (2 copies)
  • VS-300 Certificate of Divorce (1 copy)
  • Photo ID
  • Payment for filing fee (cash, check, or card)
  • AOC-026 fee waiver (if applying)

If You Have Minor Children

  • Completed parenting plan
  • Proof of parenting class enrollment (required in most KY counties)
  • Child support calculation worksheet
  • AOC-252.7 — Decree w/ children

After You File

  • Serve spouse within 45 days
  • File AOC-238 financial disclosure within 45 days of service
  • Wait mandatory 60 days
  • File AOC-252.8 Motion to Submit
  • Receive final decree by mail
Estimate Your Costs

Divorce Fee Calculator

Get a ballpark estimate for your total out-of-pocket costs based on your situation.

Select your options and click Calculate to see an estimate.

Estimates are for general planning purposes only. Fees change annually — verify with your county clerk before filing. This is not legal advice.

Common Questions

FAQ

Yes. Kentucky does not require attorney representation. You can file a pro se (self-represented) divorce using the free AOC-252 packet from the Kentucky Court of Justice website or your county Circuit Court Clerk. Most uncontested divorces with no minor children and simple finances complete successfully without an attorney. Kenton County even has a Legal Self-Help Center (Wednesdays 11 am–2 pm) staffed by volunteer attorneys who can review your forms.
Kentucky only has one track: Dissolution of Marriage. Ohio has two — Dissolution (both agree, joint filing) and Divorce (one spouse files against the other). In Kentucky you file with the Circuit Court Clerk. In Ohio (Hamilton County) you file with the Domestic Relations Court Docket Office at 800 Broadway, Room 346. Kentucky requires a 60-day mandatory wait; Ohio does not have an equivalent mandatory wait period but Dissolution hearings are set on a calendar.
You file in the state where YOU reside — as long as you've met that state's 180-day residency requirement. So if you've lived in Boone County, KY for 6 months, you file at the Boone County Circuit Court Clerk in Burlington, even if your spouse lives in Cincinnati. You don't have to file in the same state as your spouse.
In Kentucky, the absolute minimum is about 70–90 days: you file (Day 1), serve your spouse (by Day 45), wait the mandatory 60 days, then submit the final decree. Realistically, simple uncontested divorces take 2–4 months from filing to signed decree. Contested divorces involving assets, custody disputes, or uncooperative spouses routinely take 6–18 months.
Both states have fee waivers. In Kentucky, file Form AOC-026 (Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) simultaneously with your divorce petition at the Circuit Court Clerk. A judge typically rules on the waiver within 3–5 business days. If approved, you pay nothing until the divorce is finalized — and may not pay at all depending on circumstances. The income threshold is generally 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (859-431-8200) can also help NKY residents at no cost.
In most Kentucky counties, including Boone, Kenton, and Campbell, you do NOT need to appear in court for an uncontested divorce with no minor children. The clerk submits your decree to the judge, the judge signs, and the decree is mailed to you. If you have minor children, a brief appearance may be required depending on the judge and county. Check with your county's Circuit Court Clerk to confirm.
The core Kentucky divorce packet is the AOC-252 series, all available free at courts.ky.gov. The required forms depend on whether you have children. For no minor children: AOC-252 (petition), AOC-252.1 (waiver of service if spouse agrees), AOC-252.4 (separation agreement), AOC-252.5 (deposition), AOC-252.6 (decree), AOC-252.8 (motion to submit), AOC-238 (financial disclosure), and VS-300 (vital statistics). With minor children, add AOC-252.7 and parenting plan forms.
The Kentucky statutes are the same across counties — same forms, same 60-day wait. The differences are procedural and logistical: filing fees may vary by a few dollars, the physical courthouse locations differ, and clerk-specific practices (such as Kenton County's Self-Help Center on Wednesdays) may not be available elsewhere. Local judges also have discretion on some matters. Each county guide on this site covers those specifics.
Legal Disclaimer: DivorceGuideNKY is an informational directory, not a law firm. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. Court fees, forms, and procedures change — always verify with your county's Circuit Court Clerk or the Ohio Domestic Relations Court before filing. If you have a contested divorce, significant assets, children, or domestic violence concerns, consult a licensed attorney.