Small Claims Court Filing Fees by State: 2026 Guide
Small claims filing fees are published by state or local court systems, and local charges can vary. Two courthouses in the same state can charge different amounts. The only reliable number is the one on your courthouse's current official fee schedule.
This guide explains what controls the fee, shows verified examples from official court sources, and gives you a 50-state plus D.C. directory so you can find the right schedule before you file.
Related: How to file small claims, including online filing options | Full small claims how-to guide | Interactive cost tool by state
What you are actually paying for
The filing fee covers the court's cost of opening and processing your case. It does not include:
- Service of process. The defendant must be officially notified after you file. Courts set the permitted methods and the associated costs. Ask your clerk what service options exist and what each costs at your courthouse.
- Portal transaction charges. Some e-filing systems add a convenience charge on top of the filing fee. The amount varies by system; ask the court or check the portal's payment screen before submitting.
- Post-judgment steps. If you win and need to pursue collection through wage garnishment or a lien, those steps can involve separate court fees and procedures.
If you win, you may be able to ask the judge to include allowable court costs in the judgment. Whether costs can be awarded, and which costs qualify, depends on the court's rules.
What controls the fee at your courthouse
Claim amount tiers
Some courts charge more as the claim size increases, while others use a flat filing fee. The exact structure and breakpoints vary, so check the official schedule for your court.
County and local surcharges
Many states allow individual counties to add local fees on top of a statewide base. Two counties in the same state can have noticeably different total costs. This is one reason a state-level range is only a starting point.
Fee waivers for financial hardship
Many courts have a process that lets filers request a waiver if they cannot afford the fee. The eligibility rules, forms, and income thresholds vary by state and sometimes by court. Ask the clerk for the current waiver form, or search the court's website for "fee waiver." Confirm separately whether service costs are covered.
Verified fee examples from official sources
The table below uses only fees drawn directly from official court fee schedules or statutes. These are real numbers from real courts; they are not statewide averages. Fees change, and your courthouse may differ even within the same state. Treat these as illustrations of how fee structures work, then verify your own courthouse's current schedule using the directory below.
| Court | Claim amount | Filing fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado County Court (small claims) | Up to $500 | $31.00 (plaintiff) | Colorado Judicial Branch fee schedule |
| Colorado County Court (small claims) | $500.01 to $7,500 | $55.00 (plaintiff) | Colorado Judicial Branch fee schedule |
| Bay County, FL County Court (small claims) | Under $100 | $55.00 | Bay County Clerk of Court civil fee schedule |
| Bay County, FL County Court (small claims) | $101 to $500 | $80.00 | Bay County Clerk of Court civil fee schedule |
| Bay County, FL County Court (small claims) | $501 to $2,500 | $175.00 | Bay County Clerk of Court civil fee schedule |
| Bay County, FL County Court (small claims) | $2,501 to $8,000 | $300.00 | Bay County Clerk of Court civil fee schedule |
| North Carolina Magistrates' Court | All small claims | $96.00 total (includes all mandatory fees) | NC Judicial Branch Civil Court Costs 2026 |
| Utah Justice Court (small claims affidavit) | Up to $2,000 | $60.00 | Utah Code §78A-2-301.5 (current as of Jan 1, 2025) |
| Utah Justice Court (small claims affidavit) | $2,001 to $7,499 | $100.00 | Utah Code §78A-2-301.5 (current as of Jan 1, 2025) |
| Utah Justice Court (small claims affidavit) | $7,500 or more | $185.00 | Utah Code §78A-2-301.5 (current as of Jan 1, 2025) |
| California Superior Court (small claims) | General range | $30 to $100 | California Courts Self-Help (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov) |
Note on North Carolina: The $96 total for Magistrates' Court small claims reflects the combined General Court of Justice fee ($80) plus Facilities fee ($12) plus Telecommunications fee ($4) as of the January 2026 civil court costs chart. The sheriff's service fee is an additional $30 per item served. Source: North Carolina Judicial Branch, Civil Court Costs 2026.
How to find the fee for your state
Use the official court website for the state where you plan to file. In states where local courts handle small claims, you may need to go to your specific county or municipal court website because local fees can vary.
The steps to follow:
- Go to your state's official court website (see the directory below).
- Look for a section called "small claims," "civil fees," or "fee schedule."
- If you cannot find it, call the clerk's office and ask for the current small claims filing fee for your claim amount.
- Ask at the same time about service of process options and costs, and whether a fee waiver form is available.
Official court directory: all 50 states and D.C.
The links below go to each state's official court system website. From there, look for the small claims, civil, or fee schedule section. For states where county clerks set or publish their own schedules (Florida, Texas, some others), start at the state site and follow the link to your county court or clerk.
| State | Official court website | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | alacourt.gov | District Court, small claims division |
| Alaska | courts.alaska.gov | District Court |
| Arizona | azcourts.gov | Justice Court; fee schedule varies by court |
| Arkansas | arcourts.gov | District Court |
| California | courts.ca.gov | Superior Court; self-help at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov |
| Colorado | coloradojudicial.gov | County Court; official fee schedule linked |
| Connecticut | jud.ct.gov | Superior Court small claims |
| Delaware | courts.delaware.gov | Justice of the Peace Court |
| Florida | flcourts.gov | County Court; go to your county clerk for that court's fee schedule |
| Georgia | georgiacourts.gov | Magistrate Court |
| Hawaii | courts.state.hi.us | District Court |
| Idaho | isc.idaho.gov | Magistrate Division |
| Illinois | illinoiscourts.gov | Circuit Court; Cook County fees differ from other counties |
| Indiana | in.gov/courts | Circuit or Superior Court |
| Iowa | iowacourts.gov | District Court |
| Kansas | kscourts.org | District Court |
| Kentucky | kycourts.gov | District Court |
| Louisiana | lasc.org | City Court or Justice of the Peace; varies by parish |
| Maine | courts.maine.gov | District Court |
| Maryland | mdcourts.gov | District Court handles small claims |
| Massachusetts | mass.gov/orgs/trial-court | District Court or Boston Municipal Court |
| Michigan | courts.michigan.gov | District Court |
| Minnesota | mncourts.gov | Conciliation Court |
| Mississippi | courts.ms.gov | Justice Court |
| Missouri | courts.mo.gov | Circuit Court |
| Montana | courts.mt.gov | Justice Court or City Court |
| Nebraska | supremecourt.ne.gov | County Court |
| Nevada | nvcourts.gov | Justice Court |
| New Hampshire | courts.nh.gov | Circuit Court |
| New Jersey | njcourts.gov | Special Civil Part of Superior Court |
| New Mexico | nmcourts.gov | Metropolitan or Magistrate Court |
| New York | nycourts.gov | City Court or Civil Court; NYC has separate fee schedule |
| North Carolina | nccourts.gov | Magistrates' Court; 2026 civil costs chart linked |
| North Dakota | ndcourts.gov | District Court |
| Ohio | supremecourt.ohio.gov | Municipal or County Court; fees vary by court |
| Oklahoma | oscn.net | District Court |
| Oregon | courts.oregon.gov | Justice or Circuit Court |
| Pennsylvania | pacourts.us | Magisterial District Court |
| Rhode Island | courts.ri.gov | District Court |
| South Carolina | sccourts.org | Magistrate Court |
| South Dakota | ujs.sd.gov | Circuit Court |
| Tennessee | tncourts.gov | General Sessions Court |
| Texas | txcourts.gov | Justice Court; go to your county justice court for total fee |
| Utah | utcourts.gov | Justice Court; fee set by Utah Code §78A-2-301.5 |
| Vermont | vermontjudiciary.org | Superior Court |
| Virginia | vacourts.gov | General District Court |
| Washington | courts.wa.gov | District Court |
| West Virginia | courtswv.gov | Magistrate Court |
| Wisconsin | wicourts.gov | Circuit Court |
| Wyoming | wyocourts.gov | Circuit Court |
| Washington D.C. | dccourts.gov | D.C. Superior Court small claims |
For a broader overview of federal, state, and local courts, use the USA.gov court resources page.
Before you file: the demand letter
Some courts or claim types require a pre-filing request for payment. Even when one is not required, a written demand can document your request and give the other side a chance to respond before you file. Check the rules that apply to your claim.
PettyLawsuit's demand letter guide and preparation tool explains what to include, how to choose a delivery method, and what records to keep. Optional certified mail sending support is available.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file small claims court?
It depends on your state, your county, and the amount you are claiming. The official fee schedule at your specific courthouse is the only reliable number. Use the directory above to find your state's court website, then look for the civil or small claims fee schedule, or call the clerk.
Do filing fees vary by claim amount?
Sometimes. Colorado, Utah, and Bay County, Florida use claim-amount tiers in the official schedules cited below, while other courts use a flat fee. Check the current schedule at your courthouse rather than assuming one structure applies everywhere.
What other costs should I plan for?
Beyond the filing fee, you may have a separate cost for service of process, which officially notifies the defendant after you file. The cost depends on the methods allowed by the court. Some e-filing portals also add a transaction charge. If you need separate collection steps after winning, those can carry additional fees. Ask the clerk about the full cost picture before you file.
Can I get my filing fee back if I win?
Some courts let you ask the judge to include court costs in the judgment. Whether the judge awards costs is their decision, and even if awarded you still have to collect from the other side. Ask the clerk what your court's practice is on cost awards.
Are fee waivers available?
Courts may offer a process to waive court fees for filers who cannot afford them. Eligibility rules and income thresholds vary by state and court. Ask the clerk for the current waiver form, or search your court's website for "fee waiver." Confirm separately whether service costs are covered.
Where do I find the official fee schedule for my state?
Use the official court directory above. Click through to your state's court website, then look for a fee schedule or civil filing fees section. In Florida and Texas, go to your specific county court or clerk's website because local schedules can differ.
Does it cost more to file online?
Some e-filing portals charge a transaction or convenience fee on top of the court's filing fee. The amount is not uniform across portals, so review the full total before you submit and compare it with the court's published fee schedule.
What is the small claims claim limit in my state?
Claim limits are set by state law and change over time. The only reliable source is your state's current statute or the court's official self-help page. Use the directory above to find your state court's website and look for "small claims limits" or ask the clerk.
Sources
- Colorado Judicial Branch, "Small Claims Cases Filing Fees" (official schedule): coloradojudicial.gov
- Bay County (FL) Clerk of Court, Civil Fee Schedule: baycoclerk.com
- North Carolina Judicial Branch, Civil Court Costs 2026 (effective January 1, 2026): nccourts.gov
- Utah Code §78A-2-301.5, Civil fees for justice courts (current as of January 1, 2025): le.utah.gov
- California Courts Self-Help, "Small claims in California": selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
- USA.gov court resources: usa.gov/courts
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. PettyLawsuit is a self-help legal technology platform, not a law firm. Filing fees, claim limits, and court procedures change. Always verify current fees and rules with the official court where you plan to file before submitting any documents. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
Last updated: August 2026