Filing Fees for Small Claims by State

Small claims filing fees state schedules are set by each state and usually tiered by claim amount. Typical ranges: $15 to $50 for small claims under $1,500, $40 to $150 for claims from $1,500 to $5,000, and $75 to $200 for larger claims. In most states, the winning party can recover the filing fee from the defendant, so treat the fee as a refundable deposit.

Fee waivers are widely available. All 50 states offer in forma pauperis waivers for filers below approximately 125 percent of the federal poverty line. The waiver application is typically a one-page form submitted with your claim.

Ranges shown as approximate. Always check the current fee schedule on the specific court's website before filing.

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  Alabama: $105 to $193. Limit $6,000.

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  Alaska: $75 to $100. Limit $10,000.

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  Arizona: $26 to $76. Limit $3,500.

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  Arkansas: $65. Limit $5,000.

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  California: $30 to $75. Limit $12,500 for individuals.

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  Colorado: $31 to $55. Limit $7,500.

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  Connecticut: $90. Limit $5,000.

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  Delaware: $45. Limit $15,000.

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  DC: $5 to $45. Limit $10,000.

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  Florida: $55 to $300. Limit $8,000.

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  Georgia: $50 to $75. Limit $15,000.

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  Hawaii: $30 to $45. Limit $5,000.

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  Idaho: $69. Limit $5,000.

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  Illinois: $15 to $150. Limit $10,000.

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  Indiana: $100. Limit $10,000.

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  Iowa: $85. Limit $6,500.

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  Kansas: $42 to $71. Limit $4,000.

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  Kentucky: $50. Limit $2,500.

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  Louisiana: $75 to $175. Limit $5,000.

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  Maine: $45. Limit $6,000.

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  Maryland: $16 to $50. Limit $5,000.

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  Massachusetts: $40 to $150. Limit $7,000.

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  Michigan: $30 to $70. Limit $7,000.

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  Minnesota: $75. Limit $20,000.

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  Mississippi: $50. Limit $3,500.

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  Missouri: $25 to $50. Limit $5,000.

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  Montana: $25. Limit $7,000.

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  Nebraska: $20. Limit $3,900.

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  Nevada: $50 to $125. Limit $10,000.

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  New Hampshire: $90 to $145. Limit $10,000.

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  New Jersey: $15 to $50. Limit $5,000.

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  New Mexico: $77. Limit $10,000.

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  New York: $15 to $20. Limit $10,000 (NYC) or $5,000 (elsewhere).

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  North Carolina: $96. Limit $10,000.

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  North Dakota: $40 to $80. Limit $15,000.

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  Ohio: $40 to $60. Limit $6,000.

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  Oklahoma: $38 to $58. Limit $10,000.

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  Oregon: $53 to $138. Limit $10,000.

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  Pennsylvania: $81 to $130. Limit $12,000.

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  Rhode Island: $30. Limit $5,000.

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  South Carolina: $55 to $80. Limit $7,500.

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  South Dakota: $30 to $45. Limit $12,000.

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  Tennessee: $89 to $150. Limit $25,000.

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  Texas: $50 to $85. Limit $20,000.

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  Utah: $60 to $185. Limit $11,000.

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  Vermont: $65. Limit $5,000.

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  Virginia: $27 to $47. Limit $5,000 (general district court).

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  Washington: $14 to $50. Limit $10,000.

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  West Virginia: $55. Limit $10,000.

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  Wisconsin: $22 to $94.50. Limit $10,000.

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  Wyoming: $25 to $65. Limit $6,000.

Small claims fees are generally recoverable from the defendant as court costs if you win. For a typical airline case:

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  DOT denied boarding compensation claim of $1,075: California filing fee $30 to $75. Net after recovery: $1,000 to $1,045.

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  EU261 long-haul claim (€600 ≈ $650): New York filing fee $15 to $20. Net: $630 to $635.

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  Consequential damages claim of $3,500: Texas filing fee $50 to $85. Net: $3,415 to $3,450.

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  Multi-passenger family claim of $5,000: Florida filing fee $55 to $300. Net: $4,700 to $4,945.

Beyond the filing fee, serving the airline with the lawsuit costs another $30 to $80 in most states. You can usually serve by certified mail, sheriff's deputy, or a licensed process server. The service fee is also recoverable from the defendant if you win.

For the cross-border alternative, see EU small claims procedure cross-border. For the comparison guides see small claims court vs services 2026 guide and private attorney vs small claims for flight claims.

Every state offers a fee waiver for filers below roughly 125 to 200 percent of federal poverty line. The waiver form is usually one page and requires basic income documentation. Filing fees, service fees, and other court costs are all typically waivable.

Fee waivers are rarely denied for small claims. The threshold is relatively generous and the amounts at stake are modest. File the waiver at the same time as the complaint to avoid delays.

For US airlines, you can usually file in your home state's small claims court if the airline does business there (registers to do business, has a presence, or serves the airport near you). This lets you avoid traveling to the airline's headquarters state. Arbitration clauses in some Contracts of Carriage attempt to limit venue; their enforceability in small claims varies.

See arbitration clauses in airline tariffs binding or not for the arbitration angle and winning argument templates for small claims court for template language.

For primary regulatory texts and official guidance cited in this guide, see DOT Aviation Consumer Protection, 14 CFR Subchapter A (eCFR).