2026 state court fee data · New York

Small Claims in New York

Recorded at $20–$35 - among the cheaper civil filings in New York, and one of 10 states where we price this filing.

Filing steps ↓ About this data

Fee rank is not wait rank

Signature reading for Small Claims in New York: $20–$35 on max-fee among states for this filing. On this filing's state cohort, New York sits in the lower third of recorded max fees ($20–$35). The published step list sits near the 6-step median for this filing (6 steps). Probate lists the highest in-state filing-fee ceiling at $1,250 among 12 civil filings in New York; that is not the longest wait: Guardianship records 45 days on a $450 ceiling.

Small Claims figures for New York are compiled schedule reference, not legal advice - verify with the clerk where you intend to file.

In-state wait inventory

Waiting periods among New York civil filings

Exclusive split of all 12 tracked filings in New York - orthogonal to in-state fee placement below.

Compare a state record

Compare small claims with another state

Start with New York, then inspect another published court-schedule record without leaving this page.

Focus the comparison by published maximum fee

This only narrows the same court-schedule records; it does not estimate a total filing cost.

In-state placement

Where small claims sits among New York filings

Of the 12 civil filings we track in New York, small claims ranks 9 by recorded maximum fee: among the cheaper civil filings in New York. Neighbours: Name Change at $210 and Tenant Rights at $35.

Same-state corpus only, not a national ranking. How we place filings

The New York row lists 6 procedural steps against a 6-step median for this filing: a reading of published detail, not difficulty.

Filing Fee Details

$20 for claims up to $1,000; $35 for claims over $1,000.

New York's low-band fee among states

New York sits in the lower third of this filing's state cohort at $20–$35 (rank #10 of 10 by max fee).

Source: state court filing-fee schedules (upper-bound fee per state). Verify current amounts with the relevant court. How we calculate this ranking →

Key Requirements

  • Limit: $10,000 in City Courts
  • No formal legal procedures required
  • Evening sessions available in NYC
  • Arbitration option available (faster)

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1

    Visit small claims clerk (or file online in NYC)

  2. 2

    Pay filing fee and state your claim

  3. 3

    Court mails notice to defendant

  4. 4

    Attend hearing (evening sessions available in NYC)

  5. 5

    Choose arbitration or judge

  6. 6

    Judgment entered

Important Notes

NYC offers evening hearings for working plaintiffs. Arbitration is faster than judge.

Grounds / Eligibility

Monetary disputes up to $10,000 (City Courts); $5,000 (Town/Village Courts)

Quick Reference

Fee stamp
NOMINAL schedule band
Wait stamp
OPEN clock band
Filing Fee
$20–$35
Residency
File where defendant lives, works, or has office
Typical Timeline
4-8 weeks to hearing

Official Resources

New York Court Website Official Forms

Nearest fee-schedule peers in New York

Ordered by ABS(filing_fee_max) to this row's NOMINAL stamp - not an A-Z process catalog.

Tenant Rights
NOMINAL
$20–$35
1-6 months
Domestic Violence Protection
WAIVED
Free
Temporary order same-day; full hearing within 3-5 days
Restraining Order
WAIVED
Free
Temporary order same-day; full hearing within 3-5 days
Name Change
CLERK
$65–$210
3-6 months
Court Mediation
STANDARD
$0–$400
1-3 sessions
Divorce
STANDARD
$335–$400
Uncontested: 3-6 months. Contested: 1-3 years.

Take this with you

What to do with small claims in New York's numbers, next.

Filing fees and requirements change; verify current figures with your local court before filing.

According to published New York court materials compiled in the PlainCivil state-process database. See our methodology for source categories and vintage. Schedule row for Small Claims in New York: max fee $20–$35, wait Not published, vintage 2026-09-01.