What does it cost
to file in your state?
Plain-language filing fees, waiting periods, step-by-step guides, for divorce, eviction, small claims, restraining orders + 8 more civil processes across 10 states. Know what to expect before the courthouse.
The national picture
Filing a civil court process costs $20 to $1435 across the 10 states we cover, 17% of the 120 process-state combinations are free to file, and civil lawsuit runs the highest average fee nationally.
- $20–$1435
- fee range, all processes
- 17%
- free to file
- $405
- avg. civil lawsuit, highest
- $0
- avg. restraining order, lowest
Averages are computed live from each state's published filing fee, not estimated. See the methodology for how figures are sourced and verified.
Filing Fees at a Glance
National average court filing fee by civil process type. Larger tiles indicate higher typical fees across the 10 states we cover.
National average filing fee by civil process type (USD)
Educational purposes only. This information does not constitute legal advice. Always verify fees and requirements with your local court before filing.
Browse by Process Type
Select a legal process to compare requirements and fees across all 10 states.
Civil Lawsuit
Legal action between private parties seeking monetary damages or specific performance.
Court Mediation
Facilitated negotiation process to resolve disputes outside of trial with a neutral mediator.
Divorce
Legal dissolution of a marriage, including division of assets, child custody, and spousal support.
Domestic Violence Protection
Emergency and long-term protective orders for victims of domestic violence, abuse, or stalking. Filing is typically free.
Eviction
Legal process for a landlord to remove a tenant from a rental property.
Guardianship
Legal process to establish court-supervised care for a minor or incapacitated adult.
Name Change
Legal process to officially change your name through the court system.
Probate
Court-supervised process to administer a deceased person's estate and distribute assets.
Property Dispute
Civil litigation involving ownership, boundary, or rights related to real or personal property.
Restraining Order
Court order restricting contact or proximity between individuals, typically for safety reasons.
Small Claims
Simplified court process for resolving disputes involving smaller dollar amounts without an attorney.
Tenant Rights
Legal actions available to tenants including habitability complaints, security deposit recovery, and anti-retaliation claims.
Browse by State
See all 12 legal processes for a specific state with local fees and requirements.
According to the National Center for State Courts and each covered state's official court fee schedule, PlainCivil tracks 120 process-state combinations across 10 states and 12 civil process types, last verified in March 2026 on our quarterly review cycle; see our methodology for the full source list.
Legal Process Guides
In-depth guides to understanding common legal processes.
How to File for Divorce
Step-by-step guide to filing for divorce, including residency requirements, no-fault vs. fault grounds, and what to expect at each stage.
Small Claims Court Dollar Limits by State
Compare small claims court dollar limits across all 10 states. Know your options before filing.
The Eviction Process Explained
A complete guide to the eviction process from required notice periods to writs of possession, for both landlords and tenants.
Understanding Court Filing Fees
What you'll actually pay at the courthouse, how fee waivers work, and which processes are free to file.
Original Research & Analysis
About this data
How PlainCivil works, and why you can trust these numbers
What this site is
PlainCivil is a plain-language reference for state legal processes, covering filing fees, waiting periods, residency requirements, and step-by-step timelines for 12 common civil processes (divorce, small claims, eviction, name change, guardianship, and more) across 10 US states. Every fee and requirement is sourced directly from official state court systems, such as the California Courts, Florida Courts, and New York State Unified Court System (see the full list of sources below).
Editorial process
- Source. Pull filing fees, waiting periods, and residency requirements directly from each state’s official court system website.
- Verify. Each figure is cross-checked against the issuing state court’s published fee schedule so it traces back to an official public record.
- Publish. Compile a per-process, per-state reference with fees, timelines, and requirements, so readers can compare options before filing.
Editorial independence & corrections
PlainCivil accepts no payment, sponsorship, or promoted placement from any court system or legal service. Found an error or an outdated fee? File a correction via the contact page; we review corrections and publish updates with a visible revision note. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
| Publisher | PlainCivil |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |