States covered
10 states
eviction
2026 data 10 states ~$111 avg
Eviction - State Comparison
Legal process for a landlord to remove a tenant from a rental property.
Data updated September 2026
Average minimum fee
$111
Across all surveyed states
Free filings
0 states
All states charge a fee
Longest waiting period
14 days
New York
How Eviction Filing Costs Vary Nationally
PlainCivil tracks eviction filing requirements across 10 states out of 10 covered in the national dataset. Across those states, the average minimum filing fee is $111 and the average maximum is $280 - a spread that reflects both county-level surcharges and how each state funds its court system. The lowest entry cost is in Michigan, starting at $45. The highest ceiling is in New York, where complex cases can reach $500.
Waiting periods and procedural timelines differ just as sharply. New York imposes the longest statutory waiting period for eviction at 14 days before a final order can issue. Actual time from filing to resolution usually exceeds the statutory minimum because of court calendars, response deadlines, service of process, and any contested issues. Venue rules, residency minimums, and grounds requirements add further state-specific complexity you should check before filing.
This page is a procedural reference, not legal advice. Eviction outcomes depend heavily on case facts, local court rules, opposing parties, and the judge assigned. If your situation involves minor children, contested property, domestic violence, housing loss, criminal collateral consequences, or immigration status, contact a licensed attorney or your state legal-aid organization before filing. Every state listed here also offers fee-waiver programs for filers whose household income falls below roughly 125–200% of the federal poverty level.
State-by-State Comparison
10 states| State | Filing Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| California | $240–$450 | California fee schedule → |
| Florida | $185–$400 | Florida fee schedule → |
| Georgia | $60–$175 | Georgia fee schedule → |
| Illinois | $215–$400 | Illinois fee schedule → |
| Michigan | $45–$150 | Michigan fee schedule → |
| New York | $45–$500 | New York fee schedule → |
| North Carolina | $96–$150 | North Carolina fee schedule → |
| Ohio | $100–$200 | Ohio fee schedule → |
| Pennsylvania | $75–$175 | Pennsylvania fee schedule → |
| Texas | $46–$200 | Texas fee schedule → |
Details by State
California
$240–$450Unlawful Detainer filing: $240-$450 depending on county.
Timeline: Uncontested: 3-5 weeks. Contested: 2-3 months.
Full California details →Florida
$185–$400$185-$400 in County Court. Sheriff service fee ~$40 per tenant.
Timeline: Uncontested: 2-3 weeks. Contested: 4-8 weeks.
Full Florida details →Georgia
$60–$175$60-$175 in Magistrate Court. Sheriff service fee ~$25-$50 additional.
Timeline: Hearing within 7-14 days. Writ issues shortly after judgment.
Full Georgia details →Illinois
$215–$400$215-$400 in Circuit Court (eviction division). Cook County fees higher than downstate.
Timeline: Chicago: 2-4 months. Downstate: 3-6 weeks.
Full Illinois details →Michigan
$45–$150$45-$150 in District Court. Service by officer ~$25-$75 additional.
Timeline: Hearing within 10-21 days. Possession order after judgment.
Full Michigan details →New York
$45–$500Housing Court filing ~$45-$500 depending on borough.
Timeline: NYC: 3-12 months due to backlog. Upstate: 1-3 months.
Full New York details →North Carolina
$96–$150$96 court costs + ~$30 sheriff fee.
Timeline: 3-4 weeks end-to-end for uncontested summary ejectment
Full North Carolina details →Ohio
$100–$200$100-$200 in Municipal Court. Service fee by bailiff ~$30-$60.
Timeline: 3-6 weeks end-to-end for uncontested
Full Ohio details →Pennsylvania
$75–$175$75-$175 at Magisterial District Court. Constable service fee ~$50-$100 additional.
Timeline: Hearing within 7-15 days after service. Writ issued 10 days after judgment.
Full Pennsylvania details →Texas
$46–$200$46-$200 in Justice of the Peace Court, plus constable service fees (~$75-$150).
Timeline: Fast track: 3-4 weeks. Contested: 1-2 months.
Full Texas details →Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: Published state court fee schedules (compiled) PlainCivil state-process filing-fee database · 2026
Take this with you
Where eviction fits into the rest of your filing decision.
- Michigan starts as low as $45, while New York's ceiling can reach $500 for the same process Compare all state fees
- New York imposes the longest statutory wait at 14 days
- Check whether your state and household income qualify for a fee-waiver program before paying any filing fee Read methodology and coverage notes
This page is a procedural fee reference only, not legal advice. Eviction outcomes and eligibility depend on your state's specific rules and your case facts.
Fee and timeline figures on PlainCivil are rendered from the portal's state-process database compiled from published court schedules, no fee is invented for a ranking. Process-type hub aggregates filing-fee and wait fields for Eviction across surveyed states from the portal database. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-09-01. PlainCivil does not rate, rank-recommend, or advise on legal strategy, it reports what published schedules and court materials contain.
| Publisher | PlainCivil |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |