Small Claims Cost & Eligibility Calculator

Check whether your claim fits your state's small claims limit and estimate the filing and service costs to get to judgment. For the full state-by-state picture, see the small claims hub.

State

Claim amount

I'm filing as a business entity

Official fees & rules

State claim limit$12,500 individuals / $6,250 businesses

Filing fee$50tiered by claim amount

Service$15–$50 per defendant

Estimated cost to file and serve one defendant

Low

$65

Typical

$83

High

$100

Court costs are generally recoverable from the defendant if you win. Estimates are editorial figures, not quotes or government fees — see how we estimate attorney costs. Official fees verified 2026-08-24 (sources on the state pages). Model small-claims-v1.0.

Assumptions behind this model

Limits and tiered fees follow each state's current published schedule (see the state small-claims pages for sources).
States marked ≈ set fees locally — the figure is a typical amount, not your court's exact fee.
New York figures use NYC Civil Court; city and town/village courts outside NYC are cheaper with lower limits.
Collection costs after judgment (garnishment, levies) are not included.

Model small-claims-v1.0 · Reviewed 2026-08-24 · See our methodology.

LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.