How much does small claims cost? Filing fee calculator
Key takeaways
Texas: $54 to file in any justice court, the same statewide since January 2022.
Tarrant County constables charge $90 for each defendant served.
Miami-Dade small claims filing: $55 to $300, depending on the claim amount.
Cobb County, Georgia: $60.50 to file and $50 sheriff service per defendant.
Loading the calculator. The fee tables below have the same numbers.
What are the small claims filing fees?
Two charges make up most of the cost: the filing fee the clerk collects when you open the case, and the fee to serve the papers on each defendant. Here is what we found on official sites in October 2026.
| Where | Filing fee | Service | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas, any justice court | $54 | Varies by county | TJCTC fee handout |
| Tarrant County, Texas | $54 | $90 per defendant (constable) | Tarrant County JP 1 |
| Miami-Dade, Florida | $55 to $300 by amount | Ask the clerk | Miami-Dade Clerk |
| Cobb County, Georgia | $60.50 (+$4 by card) | $50 per defendant (sheriff) | Cobb Magistrate Court |
How do Florida fees change with the amount?
Florida ties the filing fee to the size of the claim. The statute sets base fees, and Miami-Dade's published fees sit a few dollars above them.
| Claim amount | State base fee | Miami-Dade fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | $50 | $55 |
| $100 to $500 | $75 | $80 |
| $500.01 to $2,500 | $170 | $175 |
| $2,500.01 to $8,000 | $295 | $300 |
Base fees from Fla. Stat. 34.041(1)(a).
Why does service cost so much more in some counties?
Service is priced by whoever delivers the papers: a constable or sheriff, a private process server, or the clerk by certified mail where the court allows it. Each county sets its own rates, and you pay per defendant. Our guide on serving small claims papers on a business covers registered agents and proof of service.
What else should I budget for?
Time off for the hearing, copies of your documents, and any fee to collect the judgment later. If you would rather not handle the paperwork, Easy Small Claims charges $99 to start and $299 through the hearing, with court costs passed through at cost and no cut of what you recover. Check your amount fits first with the small claims limits lookup.
Last updated October 2026. Easy Small Claims is not a law firm and this page is general information, not legal advice.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to file small claims in Texas?
$54. Texas set one justice court civil filing fee statewide on January 1, 2022: a $21 state fee plus a $33 local fee. Serving the defendant costs extra and varies by county. Tarrant County constables, for example, charge $90 for each person or business they serve.
How much is the small claims filing fee in Florida?
It depends on the amount. Florida law sets base fees from $50 for claims under $100 to $295 for claims over $2,500. Clerks can add local charges, so Miami-Dade charges $55, $80, $175 or $300 across the same bands. Ask your county clerk for the service of process fee, which Miami-Dade does not list.
How much does Georgia magistrate court cost?
Fees are set county by county. In Cobb County, filing a civil claim costs $60.50, plus $4 if you pay by card, and the sheriff charges $50 to serve each defendant. Other Georgia counties publish their own fee sheets, so check the magistrate court clerk's page for the county you are filing in.
Who pays the court costs in small claims?
You pay them up front, when you file and when the papers are served. If you win, you can ask the judge to include your filing and service costs in the judgment. Getting that money back depends on collecting the judgment itself, so keep every receipt and bring copies to the hearing.
A small business owner himself, Nitin has been on the wrong end of an unpaid invoice and knows how easy it is to give up on one. He built Easy Small Claims so owners can get that money back. He is also a practicing barrister.