- Claim limit
- $10,000
- Court
- New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part
- File online
- No — in person/mail
- Appeal window
- 30 days
What each New York court charges to file
Source: Each county clerk's published fee schedule
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Kings County | $15–$20 |
| Queens County | $15–$20 |
| Bronx County | $15–$20 |
| New York County | $15–$20 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with your clerk before you file — each county page carries that court’s own tier table and phone number.
The costs that are not the filing fee
The counter fee is the first charge, not the only one:
- Service of each defendant, charged by the sheriff or process server.
- Issuing the summons, where the court charges for it separately.
- A card surcharge, where the clerk takes payment by card.
- Re-filing, if the first attempt is rejected — the fee is charged again.
Court costs are normally included in the judgment you ask for, so they are recoverable if you win and you can collect.
A fee waiver exists for filers below an income threshold. Ask your clerk for the application; we cannot tell you whether you qualify.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file small claims in New York?
$15–$20 across the New York counties we cover, depending on the county and how much you are suing for, plus service.
Why does the fee differ by county in New York?
Filing fees are charged by the clerk of court, and the schedule — including how it steps up with the size of the claim — is set locally.
Do I get the New York filing fee back if I win?
Court costs are normally included in the judgment you ask for. Actually getting them back still depends on collecting from the defendant.
What if I cannot afford the fee?
Courts have a fee-waiver application for filers below an income threshold. Ask the clerk for the form.
Pick your county for its exact fee schedule
Small claims is filed at the county level. Pick your county for its court, fee, and forms — or start your claim and we'll ask where you'd sue.
Start my claimYour small claims filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your court's own forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with your court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from New York judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court and N.Y.C. Civil Court Act, Article 18 — Small Claims (§§ 1801-1814): §1801 (defines a small claim; $10,000 ceiling, exclusive of interest and costs), §1803 (commencement; $15 fee for claims of $1,000 or less and $20 for claims over $1,000; clerk serves notice of claim by ordinary first-class and certified mail), §1804 (informal, simplified procedure — court does substantial justice and is not bound by rules of practice, procedure, pleading or evidence), §1807 (review — either party may appeal only on the ground that substantial justice was not done). See how we verify.