Court Filing Fee Calculator by State & Case Type
Look up court filing fees by state and case type. Covers civil, family, criminal, probate, and bankruptcy filings with current 2026 fee schedules.
Look Up Your Filing Fee
Select your jurisdiction and case type to see the applicable filing fee. The calculator covers state trial courts, federal district courts, bankruptcy courts, and appellate courts. Case type categories include civil complaints and petitions, family law (divorce, custody, support modifications), probate and estate administration, small claims, landlord-tenant, criminal defense motions, appeals, and bankruptcy (Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13). The tool also indicates whether fee waivers (in forma pauperis) are available and the typical threshold for qualifying. Fees are updated quarterly based on published court fee schedules and administrative orders. Note that some courts charge additional fees for electronic filing, service of process, or certified copies that are not included in the base filing fee shown here.
Filing Fee Benchmarks
How to Use This Calculator
Select Your Jurisdiction
Choose whether you are filing in a state court, federal district court, federal bankruptcy court, or appellate court. For state courts, select the specific state. Some states have different fees for different court levels (superior court vs. district court vs. municipal court).
Choose the Case Type
Select the category that matches your filing: civil complaint, family law petition, probate petition, small claims, landlord-tenant, criminal motion, appeal, or bankruptcy chapter. Each category has its own fee schedule.
Review Additional Fees
The calculator shows the base filing fee plus common additional charges such as e-filing surcharges, service fees, and motion fees. Some jurisdictions bundle these while others itemize them separately.
Check Fee Waiver Eligibility
If applicable, the tool indicates whether in forma pauperis status is available for the selected filing type and the income threshold for eligibility. Federal courts use 150% of the federal poverty guidelines while state courts vary.
What This Calculator Helps You Do
- ✓Provide clients with accurate cost estimates during initial consultations without having to look up each court's fee schedule manually
- ✓Avoid filing rejections due to incorrect fee amounts, which cause delays and require resubmission
- ✓Budget client trust account draws accurately for filing fees across multiple jurisdictions in complex matters
- ✓Identify fee waiver opportunities for clients who may qualify for in forma pauperis status
- ✓Compare costs across filing options (e.g., filing in state vs. federal court, or small claims vs. limited civil)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file a civil lawsuit?
The cost varies by jurisdiction. Federal court civil filings are $405 as of 2026. State court fees range from about $50 for small claims to $450 or more for unlimited civil cases. For example, California charges $435 for an unlimited civil complaint (over $25,000 in dispute), Texas charges $300-$350 depending on the county, New York charges $210 for a Supreme Court filing plus an $80 index number fee, and Florida charges $300 for a circuit court civil action. Many states also charge additional fees for electronic filing, typically $3-$20 per filing.
Can filing fees be waived?
Yes. Both federal and state courts have fee waiver programs for individuals who cannot afford filing fees. In federal court, you file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP), and eligibility is generally based on income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Most state courts have similar programs with their own income thresholds. If the court grants the fee waiver, the filing fee and sometimes other court costs are waived entirely. Attorneys filing on behalf of clients in contingency fee cases sometimes also qualify for fee deferral in certain jurisdictions.
Are filing fees refundable if the case is dismissed?
In most jurisdictions, filing fees are non-refundable once the case is filed, regardless of the outcome. If a case is dismissed before filing is complete (e.g., the clerk rejects the filing for a deficiency), the fee may be refunded or applied to a corrected filing. Some courts allow fee refunds if a case is voluntarily dismissed within a very short period, but this is uncommon. The best approach is to verify the correct fee amount before filing to avoid wasted costs.
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