What it costs to file in South Carolina
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
| Claim up to | Fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| $7,500 | $80 | S.C. Judicial Branch, Attachment K to the magistrate and municipal court fee memorandum |
More about South Carolina
Common questions
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in South Carolina?
- $80 for a claim up to $7,500. That comes from S.C. Judicial Branch, Attachment K to the magistrate and municipal court fee memorandum.
- How much can you claim in small claims court in South Carolina?
- An individual can claim up to $7,500. A business can claim up to $7,500. A public agency can claim up to $7,500. That comes from S.C. Code §22-3-10.
- Which court handles small claims in South Carolina?
- Magistrate Court. The magistrate court in the county where the other side lives or does business, or where the dispute happened.
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in South Carolina?
- The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under S.C. Code §15-3-530(1), (4). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open South Carolina's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2025-07-01.
- S.C. Judicial Branch, Attachment K to the magistrate and municipal court fee memorandum · effective 2025-07-01 · Filing a summons and complaint in magistrate court costs $80 in every county. That is a $45 filing fee, a $10 service fee, and a $25 statutory assessment.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.