Filing fee
What the court charges to open the case, usually set by the size of the claim.
The fee is paid when you hand the claim in. Most states set it in bands, so a small claim costs less to file than a large one; a few leave it to each court.
The fee is separate from the amount you are claiming. In many states the judge can order the other side to repay it if the claim succeeds.
Related words
Common questions
- What does filing fee mean in small claims court?
- What the court charges to open the case, usually set by the size of the claim. The fee is paid when you hand the claim in. Most states set it in bands, so a small claim costs less to file than a large one; a few leave it to each court.
- What does fee waiver mean in small claims court?
- Permission from the court not to pay the filing fee, granted on financial hardship. You fill in a short form about your income, benefits, and household. The clerk or a judge decides it, often the same day.
- What does claim mean in small claims court?
- The form that starts the case: who you are, who owes you, how much, and why. The claim form is short on purpose. It asks for the amount, a plain description of what happened, and the dates. You sign it, hand it in, and pay the filing fee.
- What does claimant mean in small claims court?
- The person or business bringing the claim, the one asking to be paid. The claimant starts the case by filling in the claim form and paying the filing fee. Most court forms use the word plaintiff for the same role.
Verified on 2026-09-06, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-06, sources:
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