Court Filing Fees by State — All 50 States Lookup (Free) | Legience
Free Tool

Court Filing Fees
Lookup.

Instantly look up filing fees for state and federal courts across all 50 states and DC.

Look Up Filing Fees

Select a state and court type to see current filing fees

Loading fee data...

Reference

All 50 States + DC

Click any state to look up its filing fees.

Federal Courts

Federal Court Filing Fees

U.S. District Court (Civil)
$405
Court of Appeals
$605
Bankruptcy Court
Chapter 7
$338
Chapter 13
$313
Chapter 11
$1,738
Federal fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and are uniform across all federal courts.
Understanding Fees

What Court Filing Fees Cover

What's Included

Filing fees cover the court's administrative costs of processing your case: docketing, judge assignment, courtroom time, and facility overhead. They do not cover attorney fees, service of process, discovery costs, or other litigation expenses. Think of the filing fee as the "admission ticket" to the court system — the actual cost of litigation is significantly higher.

In Forma Pauperis (IFP)

Courts may waive filing fees for individuals who cannot afford them. You must file an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with evidence of your income, assets, expenses, and financial obligations. The court reviews the application and grants or denies the waiver. If granted, some courts waive the fee entirely while others allow installment payments. Most states and all federal courts offer this option.

Additional Costs to Expect

Service of Process
$50 – $150

Serving the defendant with court documents via sheriff or process server.

Motion Filing
$15 – $60

Fee charged each time you file a motion with the court.

Jury Demand
$100 – $300

Additional fee when requesting a jury trial instead of a bench trial.

E-Filing Surcharge
$5 – $25

Processing fee charged by e-filing service providers.

Certified Copies
$10 – $25/page

Court-certified copies of orders, judgments, and other filings.

Appeals Bond
Varies

Security deposit required when appealing a judgment, often the judgment amount.

E-Filing vs. Paper Filing

Some courts offer reduced filing fees for electronic filing, while others add a small e-filing surcharge. Many jurisdictions now require e-filing for attorneys, though self-represented litigants can often still file on paper. E-filing systems like Odyssey, File & Serve, and PACER (federal) process filings instantly and provide immediate confirmation — a significant advantage over paper filing where processing can take days.

FAQ

Common Questions

State court civil filing fees typically range from $75 to $500 depending on the state and case type. Federal court civil filing is $405 nationwide. Additional costs include service of process, motion fees, and potential jury demand fees.
Yes. Courts offer fee waivers through the In Forma Pauperis (IFP) process for individuals who cannot afford filing fees. You must demonstrate financial hardship by filing an application with documentation of income, assets, and expenses.
Yes. Federal court filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and are uniform across all 94 federal district courts. The current civil filing fee is $405.
Filing fees are paid when you initiate a lawsuit. Court costs are broader and may include service of process, deposition fees, expert witness fees, jury fees, and transcript costs. Filing fees are just one component of the total cost of litigation.
Yes. Most states charge different fees for different case types. Small claims courts have the lowest fees (often $30–$100), while civil cases and appeals tend to have higher fees. Family and probate courts typically fall in between.
Important Disclaimer

Filing fees are verified as of the date shown and may change without notice. Additional fees (service of process, motion fees, e-filing surcharges) may apply. Always confirm the current fee with the clerk's office or official court website before filing. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Streamline Your Filing

Court Filing Integrated Into Your Workflow

Track filing fees, deadlines, and court requirements for every case — all within your practice management platform.

When you visit our website, we and our third-party partners may use cookies, tracking pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you. This may be used to optimize your experience, analyze traffic, and personalize content. You can manage your preferences at any time by clicking "Customize". Cookie Policy