Court Fee Calculator: Estimate Filing Fees for Legal Cases
Estimate court filing fees for civil, family, and small claims cases across federal and state courts. Know your upfront costs before filing.
Before you file anything in court, you need to know how much it's going to cost just to get through the door. Filing fees vary enormously by court type, case type, and claimed amount — and they're due upfront regardless of how the case turns out. The CalcHub Court Fee Calculator estimates filing costs by jurisdiction, court level, and case type so you can budget accurately.
Federal Court Filing Fees
Federal district court fees are set by the Judicial Conference and are uniform nationwide:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint | $405 |
| Notice of appeal to circuit court | $605 |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) | $338 |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 13) | $313 |
| Habeas corpus | $5 |
| Pro se civil rights cases | Often $0 |
State Court Filing Fees — Civil Cases
State fees vary significantly. The calculator covers all 50 states. A general range:
| Claimed Amount | Typical State Court Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $2,500 | $30–$75 |
| $2,500–$10,000 | $75–$200 |
| $10,000–$50,000 | $150–$400 |
| $50,000–$100,000 | $300–$700 |
| Over $100,000 | $500–$1,500+ |
Small Claims Court
Small claims is intentionally accessible:
| State | Small Claims Limit | Typical Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| California | $12,500 | $30–$75 |
| Texas | $20,000 | $54–$130 |
| New York | $5,000 (City Court) | $15–$20 |
| Florida | $8,000 | $55–$300 |
| Illinois | $10,000 | $56–$274 |
Family Court Fees
| Filing Type | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Divorce petition | $100–$450 |
| Child custody modification | $100–$300 |
| Protective order (emergency) | Often $0 |
| Adoption | $100–$500 |
Additional Costs Beyond Filing Fees
The calculator also flags typical additional costs:
| Cost Item | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Service of process | $50–$150 per defendant |
| Certified copies of documents | $1–$10 per page |
| Transcript of proceedings | $3–$8 per page |
| Jury demand fee | $50–$150 additional |
| Case management fees | $25–$100 in some states |
Fee Waivers
If you can't afford filing fees, every court has a fee waiver process. You'll file a financial affidavit and a waiver application — if approved, you pay nothing upfront. Income limits vary by court and state.
What if I don't know which court to file in?
The calculator helps you identify the appropriate court based on the type of case, amount in dispute, and parties involved. Federal vs. state court jurisdiction is one of the more confusing aspects of the legal system for non-attorneys.
Are filing fees refundable if I lose?
No. Filing fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome. They're a cost of accessing the judicial system, not a deposit on success.
Can I recover filing fees if I win?
In many civil cases, yes — courts can award costs (which include filing fees) to the prevailing party. But the losing party has to actually pay, which isn't guaranteed even with a judgment.
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