Court Filing Fee Lookup — All
50 States
Court filing fees vary significantly by jurisdiction, case type, and the specific relief sought. A simple probate petition in a rural county may cost under $100, while the same filing in a high-cost urban court can exceed $500 — and that is before accounting for certified copies, publication fees, bond premiums, and other ancillary costs. This lookup tool covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, providing current fee schedules by case type along with information on fee waivers for those who cannot afford to pay. Whether you are filing a probate petition, a civil complaint, a family law matter, or a small claims case, understanding the applicable fees before you walk into the clerk's office prevents delays and surprises.
Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
How Court Filing Fees Work
Court filing fees are charges collected by the clerk of court at the time a new case is opened or a document is filed. In most states, the legislature sets a statutory fee schedule that applies statewide, but individual counties often layer on additional surcharges — sometimes called assessments, technology fees, or courthouse construction levies — that can add $20 to $150 or more on top of the base filing fee. This means that the total cost to file a case depends on both the state statute and the county in which you file.
Fees are generally set by the state legislature through statute, though many states delegate authority to the Judicial Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts, or local presiding judges to adjust fees within statutory ranges. Fee schedules are published by the clerk of court and are typically available on the court's website or at the filing window. Because fees can change when new legislation takes effect or when courts update their local rules, it is always advisable to confirm the current fee schedule directly with the clerk before filing.
Filing fees cover a portion of the cost of court administration — staff salaries, facilities, case management systems, and other operational expenses. They are distinct from service of process fees, publication costs, bond premiums, and attorney fees, all of which are paid separately. In probate matters, for example, the initial petition filing fee is just one component of the total cost; the full accounting must include costs for each subsequent filing, certified copies of letters testamentary, and any required publication of notice to creditors.
Types of Filing Fees
Probate Filing Fees
Probate courts charge fees to open an estate, issue letters testamentary or letters of administration, file inventories and accountings, and close the estate. Many states scale probate fees to the gross value of the estate, while others charge a flat fee per filing. Surrogate's Court in New York, for example, uses a graduated fee schedule based on estate value, while California's Superior Court charges a flat filing fee regardless of estate size.
Civil Litigation Fees
Civil court filing fees apply when a plaintiff initiates a lawsuit in general, limited, or superior court. Fees vary by the amount in controversy: limited civil cases (typically under $25,000 or $35,000 depending on the state) carry lower fees than unlimited civil cases. Defendants also pay appearance fees when they file an answer or other responsive pleading. Motion fees, jury fees, and fees for filed exhibits may add to the total cost of civil litigation.
Family Law Fees
Divorce, legal separation, child custody, and support modification proceedings each carry their own filing fees. Family law fees often match the general civil filing fee in the same court, though some states offer reduced fees for uncontested dissolutions or matters without minor children. Filing fees for protective orders are often waived by statute to ensure access to the courts for victims of domestic violence.
Small Claims Fees
Small claims courts are designed to be accessible, and their filing fees reflect that — ranging from around $30 to $100 depending on the state and the amount claimed. Some states scale small claims fees to the amount in controversy, with lower fees for smaller claims. These fees are among the most uniform within a given state because small claims procedures are typically set at the state level with limited local variation.
Appeals and Post-Judgment Fees
Filing a notice of appeal, a motion for reconsideration, or a petition for writ each carries its own fee schedule. Appellate court fees are generally higher than trial court fees, and fees for filing in state supreme courts are typically the highest in the state court system. Post-judgment motions — to enforce, modify, or vacate a judgment — also carry filing fees that vary by court and motion type.
Miscellaneous Court Fees
Beyond case-opening fees, clerks charge for certified copies of court documents ($5–$25 per document), exemplified copies, record retrieval, certification of records for out-of-state use, and jury demand deposits. Electronic filing surcharges are increasingly common as courts transition to e-filing systems. These ancillary fees are often overlooked in cost planning but can add up over the course of a litigation or estate administration.
Fee Waivers and Indigency (In Forma Pauperis)
Every state provides a mechanism for litigants who cannot afford court filing fees to seek a waiver. The federal system and most states refer to this as proceeding in forma pauperis(IFP), Latin for "in the manner of a pauper." Eligibility thresholds vary by state but typically require that the applicant's income fall at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty level, or that the applicant is receiving certain public benefits such as Medi-Cal, Medi-Aid, food assistance, or SSI.
To apply for a fee waiver, the party seeking relief files a declaration or application with the clerk's office listing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Some courts require the application to be filed simultaneously with the initial pleading; others allow it to be filed any time before fees become due. A judge typically reviews the application and issues an order granting or denying the waiver. If denied, the applicant usually has a short window to pay the fees or seek reconsideration.
Fee waivers cover the initial filing fee and, in most states, all subsequent fees in the same case. However, waivers typically do not cover costs owed to third parties — service of process fees, publication costs, or expert witness fees. In probate matters, a fee waiver for the court's charges does not eliminate the cost of publishing a creditor notice in a newspaper of general circulation, which is often required by statute regardless of the filer's financial situation.
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Frequently asked questions
Edited and reviewed by our editorial team. Answers are general information — not legal advice.
How much does it cost to file a lawsuit?
Court filing fees vary widely by state, court level, and case type. Small claims filings typically cost $30–$100. General civil complaints for amounts under $10,000 often cost $100–$200. Cases involving larger amounts or requesting injunctive relief can cost $300–$500 or more to file. Federal court civil filing fees are currently $405. Family law filings (divorce, custody) generally run $150–$450. Probate petitions range from $50 to over $500 depending on estate size and state. These are just the initial filing fees — service of process, certified copies, and other ancillary fees add to the total cost.
Are court filing fees refundable?
Generally, no. Court filing fees are administrative charges for the court's time in processing your filing. They are not refunded if you lose, if you settle, or if you voluntarily dismiss your case. A few narrow exceptions exist: some courts refund a partial fee if a case is dismissed before service of process, and some arbitration programs allow partial fee recovery if the case resolves without a hearing. Filing fee waiver (in forma pauperis) requests, if granted, eliminate the fee upfront — they are not post-hoc refunds.
Can court filing fees be waived?
Yes. Every state and federal court has a process for low-income litigants to request a filing fee waiver, typically called an 'in forma pauperis' (IFP) application or a 'fee waiver application.' Eligibility is based on income — generally 125–200% of the federal poverty level. If granted, the waiver covers not just filing fees but often service of process fees and other court costs. The IFP application requires financial disclosure, and courts can revoke waivers if a plaintiff is found to have misrepresented their financial situation.
Are there additional fees beyond the initial filing fee?
Yes — often significantly so. Beyond the filing fee, common additional costs include: service of process ($50–$200 per defendant), certified copies of court documents ($1–$5 per page), transcript fees ($3–$5 per page), court reporter fees for depositions ($300–$800 per day), expert witness fees, and jury demand fees (some courts charge $100–$200 to request a jury trial). For probate cases, publication of notice requirements can cost $100–$500. Appeals require a separate filing fee, typically $200–$500 in state courts and $505 in federal appellate courts.
Are e-filing fees different from paper filing fees?
Many courts now charge convenience fees for electronic filing, typically $2–$5 per document or a percentage of the transaction (1–4%). Some courts make e-filing mandatory while waiving or reducing the paper filing fee. Federal courts through PACER/CM/ECF charge $0.10 per page to view documents with a $3.00 cap per document. Some state courts have moved to flat e-filing service fees ($3–$15) in addition to the base filing fee. Check your specific court's fee schedule — e-filing vendor fees (Tyler Technologies, etc.) are separate from court fees and may not be waivable.
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