States covered
10 states
small claims
2026 data 10 states ~$51 avg
Small Claims — State Comparison
Simplified court process for resolving disputes involving smaller dollar amounts without an attorney.
Civil-court disposition mix — Small Claims
Average minimum fee
$51
Across all surveyed states
Free filings
0 states
All states charge a fee
Longest waiting period
0 days
No mandatory cooling-off
How Small Claims Cases Typically Resolve
National disposition averages applied to small claims filings — settlement is the most common outcome across civil dockets.
Settlement rate 42.0%
Most common civil-case outcome
Plaintiff judgments 18.0%
Defendant
Default judgments (non-response) 12.0%
Dismissals 16.0%
How Small Claims Filing Costs Vary Nationally
PlainCivil tracks small claims filing requirements across 10 states out of 10 covered in the national dataset. Across those states, the average minimum filing fee is $51 and the average maximum is $136 — a spread that reflects both county-level surcharges and how each state funds its court system. The lowest entry cost is in New York, starting at $20. The highest ceiling is in Florida, where complex cases can reach $300.
Waiting periods and procedural timelines differ just as sharply. No state on this list imposes a notably long mandatory waiting period for small claims. 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. Small Claims 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 | $30–$75 | Details → |
| Florida | $55–$300 | Details → |
| Georgia | $50–$150 | Details → |
| Illinois | $89–$264 | Details → |
| Michigan | $30–$75 | Details → |
| New York | $20–$35 | Details → |
| North Carolina | $96–$150 | Details → |
| Ohio | $35–$75 | Details → |
| Pennsylvania | $60–$120 | Details → |
| Texas | $46–$112 | Details → |
Details by State
California
$30–$75$30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 for $1,501-$5,000; $75 for $5,001-$12,500.
Timeline: 30-70 days from filing to hearing
Full California details →Florida
$55–$300$55 for claims up to $100; $80 for $101-$500; $175 for $501-$2,500; $300 for $2,501-$8,000.
Timeline: 4-8 weeks to pretrial hearing; trial 2-4 weeks after
Full Florida details →Georgia
$50–$150$50-$150 in Magistrate Court. Fee varies by claim amount and county.
Timeline: 3-8 weeks to hearing
Full Georgia details →Illinois
$89–$264$89-$264 in Cook County depending on claim. Other counties: $50-$150 approximately.
Timeline: 4-12 weeks to hearing
Full Illinois details →Michigan
$30–$75$30-$75 depending on claim amount.
Timeline: 3-6 weeks to hearing
Full Michigan details →New York
$20–$35$20 for claims up to $1,000; $35 for claims over $1,000.
Timeline: 4-8 weeks to hearing
Full New York details →North Carolina
$96–$150$96 court costs plus sheriff service fee (~$30). Additional fees may apply.
Timeline: 1-3 weeks to hearing in magistrate court
Full North Carolina details →Ohio
$35–$75$35-$75 depending on county and claim amount.
Timeline: 3-6 weeks to hearing
Full Ohio details →Pennsylvania
$60–$120$60-$120 in Magisterial District Courts. Fee varies by county and claim amount.
Timeline: 3-6 weeks to hearing
Full Pennsylvania details →Texas
$46–$112$46-$112 depending on county and claim amount. Justice of the Peace Courts handle small claims.
Timeline: 2-4 weeks to hearing after filing
Full Texas details →Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Civil case dispositions and judgment trends · 2025
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |