How much does it cost to file in small claims court?
Short answer: Filing fees are set by each state, and often depend on how much you are suing for. Most states let you ask for a fee waiver if you can't afford it. Here is the fee in each state.
The rule in every state
Each answer links to the statute or official page it comes from (50 of 51 jurisdictions verified).
| State | The rule |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Fees are set by claim amount. Example (Escambia County district court schedule): one plaintiff/one defendant with certified-mail service is $80 (claims up to $1,500), $154 (up to $3,000) or $243 (up to $6,000), plus certified mail cost; sheriff or process-server service is $110, $184 or $273. A filer who cannot afford the fee may ask to proceed on an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (form C-10-Civil). Escambia County Civil Filing Fees for SM; Alacourt eForms small claims page |
| Alaska | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500. A person who cannot afford the fee may request an exemption (fee waiver). Alaska Admin. R. 9(c)(2); Admin. R. 10 |
| Arizona | Statewide base fees: $30 to file a small claims complaint, $18 to file an answer, and $8 for service by mail. Local courts may add fees. A fee waiver or deferral can be requested. A.R.S. § 22-522; Arizona Justice Court Filing Fees (effective Dec. 28, 2024) |
| Arkansas | Typically $30 to $65, paid to the clerk at filing; the plaintiff also pays service costs. A winning plaintiff can ask the court to order the defendant to repay filing and service costs. Arkansas Attorney General, Guide to Small Claims Court |
| California | $30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 for over $1,500 up to $5,000; $75 for over $5,000 up to $12,500; $100 if you have filed more than 12 small claims in the past 12 months. Fee waivers are available for people on public benefits, below an income level, or who cannot pay and meet basic needs. California Courts Self-Help Guide, File your small claims forms |
| Colorado | Claim: $31 (claims of $500 or less) or $55 (over $500). Response: $26 or $41. Response with counterclaim: $31 or $46. Fees may be waived (JDF 205/206), and people on certain public assistance may qualify automatically (JDF 209). JDF 248, Guide to Small Claims (rev. Dec. 14, 2023) |
| Connecticut | $95 entry (filing) fee. A counterclaim is $95, a motion to transfer to the regular docket is $125, and each application for execution is $105. A winning plaintiff may have the entry fee and service costs added to the judgment. Connecticut Judicial Branch Small Claims FAQ |
| Delaware | Debt complaint: $35 (under $1,000), $40 ($1,000 to $5,000), $45 (over $5,000). Service by the court is included in the filing fee; an alias (second service attempt) is $20. A fee waiver is available by notarized application (Civil Form 49). 10 Del. C. § 9801; JP Court Civil Fees; Starting a Civil Action in JP Court |
| District of Columbia | Fees are set by the court. A judge may waive prepayment of costs, or costs that accrue during the case, if the plaintiff shows by sworn statement or other evidence that they cannot pay. D.C. Code § 16-3903 |
| Florida | Set by statute by claim amount: $50 (under $100), $75 ($100 to $500), $170 (over $500 to $2,500), $295 (over $2,500). Postal charges for clerk mail service are paid by the party requesting it. Fla. Stat. § 34.041(1)(a) (2025) |
| Georgia | The plaintiff pays a filing deposit set by local court rule (the statute caps the base deposit at $22) plus the actual cost of serving each defendant (not more than the sheriff's fee). A writ of fieri facias (fi. fa.) costs $4. O.C.G.A. § 15-10-80 |
| Hawaii | $35. The filing fee can be added to the judgment if you win. Hawaii State Judiciary, Small Claims Court Q&A |
| Idaho | $69 to file a small claim, plus service costs; a change of venue is $29. By statute the court collects a $33 small claims fee in advance on each claim, in addition to service costs. Idaho Code § 1-2303(3); Idaho Court Assistance Office, Small Claims forms page |
| Illinois | A filing fee is charged by the circuit clerk, plus service costs; amounts vary by county. A person who cannot afford the fees may file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees for free or reduced-cost filing. Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 282(a); Illinois Supreme Court approved form instructions SC-I 1802.4 |
| Indiana | A filing fee must be paid when the notice of claim is filed, unless the court enters an order waiving it. Fees paid for filing and service are not refunded if the claim is dismissed. Ind. Small Claims Rule 2(A)(1); Indiana Small Claims Manual |
| Iowa | $115 filing and docketing fee for fees paid on or after July 1, 2026 (raised from $95 by 2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1192, H.F. 2770); the Iowa Judicial Branch also lists $115 to start a case. Mailing the original notice and personal service by a peace officer may cost extra. There is no fee to file an answer. Iowa Code § 631.6, as amended by 2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1192 (H.F. 2770); Iowa Judicial Branch, Small Claims |
| Kansas | Docket fee of $35 for claims of $500 or less and $55 for claims over $500; this is the only cost required to file. A judge may waive the fee for good cause. K.S.A. 61-2704 |
| Kentucky | A filing fee is charged when the complaint (form AOC-175) is filed, in person or by eFiling; ask the circuit court clerk for the current amount. There is no fee for a counterclaim of $2,500 or less. A Waiver of Costs and Fees guided interview is offered for people who cannot afford the fee. Small Claims Handbook (P-6); KCOJ Self-Help Portal |
| Louisiana | Justice of the peace court: generally about $130 in court costs to file a new case, plus $20 for each additional defendant; other costs may apply (full list in R.S. 13:2590). City-court small claims division: $35 per defendant by statute, up to $20 per additional service or subpoena. Costs may be waived for a party who cannot pay under C.C.P. arts. 5181-5188. AG Guide to Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts; La. R.S. 13:5205 |
| Maine | $70 to file a small claims action (includes a $15 mediation fee). Optional service by the clerk costs $15 per party. A small claims disclosure (collection) hearing costs $30 per defendant. Fees can be waived by filing an Application to Proceed without Payment of Fees (CV-067). Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26), effective March 9, 2026 |
| Maryland | $44 for a new small claims contract or tort complaint (includes surcharges). A counterclaim, cross claim or third-party claim costs $18. Service is extra: $20 per defendant if mailed by the clerk, or $60 per defendant if served by the sheriff or constable. Fee waivers are available. District Court of Maryland Cost Schedule (DCA-109, Rev. 03/2026) |
| Massachusetts | By statute: $30 for claims of $500 or less, $40 for over $500 up to $2,000, $90 for over $2,000 up to $5,000, and $140 for over $5,000, plus the surcharge under G.L. c. 262, § 4C. Fees and costs may be reduced or eliminated under court rules. G.L. c. 218, § 22 |
| Michigan | $25 if the claim is $600 or less; $45 for over $600 up to $1,750; $65 for over $1,750. Postage for mailing the affidavit to each defendant is extra, and a personal server receives the same fee and mileage as for other district court service. Writs of execution, attachment or garnishment and debtor discovery subpoenas cost $15. MCL 600.8420 |
| Minnesota | $65 from each plaintiff and each defendant when they first file (county law library fees may be added). A person who cannot pay may proceed without fees; if that person wins, the fees are taken from the recovery. Minn. Stat. § 357.022; Minn. Stat. § 491A.02, subd. 3 |
| Missouri | The plaintiff pays court costs and a deposit to secure costs, set under RSMo 488.010-488.020, plus the cost of service in advance. Small claims forms and clerk assistance are free. RSMo 482.345; RSMo 482.335; RSMo 482.340 |
| Montana | $20 for the plaintiff when the sworn complaint is filed; $10 for the defendant when appearing to contest the claim or filing a counterclaim. A party who cannot afford the fees may file a pauper's affidavit. Sheriff's service fees are separate. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 25-35-608, 25-35-604 |
| Nebraska | $58 total to file a small claims case (the $6.25 statutory fee plus other court costs). Service costs are extra and are paid by the plaintiff; they may be added to the judgment if the plaintiff wins. Nebraska Judicial Branch, Filing Fees and Court Costs; Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2804(2) |
| Nevada | By claim amount: $45 (up to $1,000), $65 ($1,000.01-$2,500), $85 ($2,500.01-$5,000), $125 ($5,000.01-$7,500), $175 ($7,500.01-$10,000). No fee is charged when a defendant appears in response to the small claims affidavit and order. NRS 4.060(1)(b), (d) |
| New Hampshire | The plaintiff pays an entry fee, which is recoverable as a cost if the plaintiff wins, plus a surcharge of $5 for claims of $5,000 or less or $60 for claims over $5,000 (for the mediation and arbitration fund). The clerk pays the postage to mail the notice to the defendant. RSA 503:1, III; RSA 503:4 |
| New Jersey | $35 for one defendant and $5 for each additional defendant. Service by certified and regular mail is $10 per defendant; personal service by a court officer is $10 plus $12 for each additional defendant. Fees may be waived for people with income at or below 150% of the poverty level and liquid assets of $2,500 or less. NJ Courts, Small Claims Court |
| New Mexico | $77 to file a civil complaint in Metropolitan Court. A jury request adds a $25 non-refundable jury fee and a $75 jury deposit. Sheriffs and private process servers charge their own service fees. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, Fees, Costs & Filing; pamphlet SH-101 |
| New York | NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less and $20 for claims over $1,000. Town and Village Justice Courts: $10 and $15. A defendant's counterclaim costs $5 ($3 in justice courts) plus mailing costs. Commercial claims cost $25 plus mailing costs. NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1803; Uniform City Ct. Act § 1803; Uniform Justice Ct. Act § 1803; NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1803-A |
| North Carolina | $92 in court costs for a case assigned to a magistrate ($80 General Court of Justice fee plus $12 facilities fee); other statutory costs may be added. Sheriff's service is $30 per item of civil process. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-305(a); § 7A-311(a)(1) |
| North Dakota | $20 to file a small claims action in district court. A filing fee waiver can be requested. N.D.C.C. 27-05.2-03(1)(e) |
| Ohio | Each court sets its own small claims filing fee, plus an additional statutory amount; check the local court's cost schedule. Service fees may be charged separately. Ohio Rev. Code 1925.04(A) |
| Oklahoma | $45 to file the small claims affidavit for claims of $5,000 or less; claims over $5,000 are charged the regular district court filing fees under Title 28. Counterclaims and setoffs carry a separate fee. 12 O.S. 1764 |
| Oregon | $57 if the amount claimed is $2,500 or less; $102 if more than $2,500. The defendant pays the same fee schedule when requesting a hearing. A fee deferral or waiver can be requested. ORS 46.570 |
| Pennsylvania | Statutory base costs are $30 (claims of $500 or less), $40 (over $500 to $2,000), $50 (over $2,000 to $4,000) and $75 (over $4,000 to $12,000), but these were increased each year by inflation through 2024, so the amount charged is higher. Service costs are added, and filing and service costs are due when the complaint is filed. A party who cannot afford costs may ask for a fee waiver. 42 Pa.C.S. 1725.1(a), (f); Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 206, 206.1 |
| Rhode Island | $55 entry fee, plus a one-time $17.50 processing fee and $3.25 technology surcharge (3.25% extra if paying by card). The small claims execution fee is $20. R.I. Gen. Laws 10-16-4(a); R.I. District Court Civil Fees and Costs |
| South Carolina | $45 statewide for issuing the summons and giving judgment in a civil action; rises to $65 on January 1, 2027. A person unable to pay may file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis with an affidavit. S.C. Code 8-21-1010(A)(6) (2026 Act No. 155) |
| South Dakota | Total filing fee and certified-mail costs (as of July 12, 2026): $24.84 for claims of $100 or less; $30.84 for $100.01-$1,000; $40.84 for $1,000.01-$3,999.99; $42.84 for $4,000-$12,000; add $11.84 for each additional defendant. These costs may be added to the amount claimed. SDCL 15-39-52; UJS Small Claims Filing Fees (July 12, 2026) |
| Tennessee | Fees are set by each county. Example: in Davidson County (Nashville), filing a civil warrant costs $145.75 (clerk $50, sheriff service $52, litigation tax $43.75), plus $52 for each additional defendant (effective July 12, 2026). Davidson County General Sessions Civil Division Filing Fees |
| Texas | The plaintiff pays the court's filing fee and any service fees when filing the petition. A person who cannot afford the fees may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, which the clerk must provide free. Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.2(b), 502.3 |
| Utah | $60 for claims of $2,000 or less; $100 for over $2,000 to under $7,500; $185 for $7,500 up to $20,000 (effective May 6, 2026). A fee waiver may be requested. Utah Courts, Court Fees |
| Vermont | $65 for claims of $1,000 or less; $90 for claims of $1,001 to $10,000 (consumer credit and medical debt claims: $90 from $1,001 to $5,000). Fee waivers are available by application, and a winning plaintiff can ask to add the fee to the judgment. Vermont Judiciary, Court Fees |
| Virginia | The plaintiff pays the filing fee and any sheriff's service fee at filing; amounts vary by court and can be calculated with the General District Court Civil Filing Fee Calculation system or obtained from the clerk. Va. Code 16.1-122.3; Small Claims Court Procedures (rev. 10/2024) |
| Washington | $35 base fee plus any authorized surcharge; the AOC brochure says the fee is $35 or $50 depending on whether the county supports a dispute resolution center. Counterclaims carry the same fee. Service or mailing costs are extra and may be recovered by a winning plaintiff. RCW 12.40.020; AOC, An Introduction to Small Claims Court (Oct. 2025) |
| West Virginia | $30 for claims of $500 or less; $35 for over $500 to $1,000; $40 for over $1,000 to $2,000; $50 for over $2,000; $30 for relief other than money. Fees are collected in advance, and people unable to pay may proceed without prepayment under W. Va. Code 59-2-1. The magistrate court also charges $1 for mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt. W. Va. Code 50-3-1 |
| Wisconsin | The statutory clerk's fee to start a small claims action is $22, rising to $39 on November 1, 2026 (2025 Wis. Act 179). Service by mail costs $2 per defendant, rising to $7 on November 1, 2026 (plus the certified-mail cost when certified mail is required). A counterclaim over the small claims limit requires paying the difference up to the regular civil filing fee. Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), (4) |
| Wyoming | $10 filing fee in circuit court. Sheriff or process server service fees are extra, and the clerk charges for copies (at least $1 per page). Wyo. R. Small Claims 3; SC Form 01a Instructions (Nov. 2024) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.