Alabama Small Claims Court Cost: Filing Fees by County and Claim Amount

How Alabama Small Claims Filing Fees Work

Alabama filing fees are set by a state base fee under Alabama Code § 12-19-71, plus county-specific add-ons for law libraries, court automation, and local sheriff service. That's why the exact cost varies across Alabama's 67 counties — sometimes significantly.

Every county uses the same three-tier structure based on the amount you're claiming.

Fee Tiers by Claim Amount

Here's what you'll pay at the District Court Clerk's office in several major counties:

These numbers cover the docket fee. Sheriff service fees — the cost to have the county sheriff deliver your lawsuit to the defendant — are extra. That runs $10 to $50 depending on the county, charged per defendant.

The Fee Tier Trap

Notice the jumps between tiers. A claim of $1,500 in Shelby County costs $60 to file. A claim of $1,510 costs $134 — a $74 increase for $10 more in your claim.

The same thing happens at the $3,000 line. Filing for $3,050 in Cherokee County costs $238.50 instead of $149.50 — an $89 jump.

If your claim sits just above a tier break, consider whether seeking only the lower amount is worth the fee savings. Any reduction also reduces the amount you ask the court to recover. Before giving up part of a claim, ask an Alabama attorney whether that decision could prevent you from recovering the remainder later.

Additional Costs Beyond Filing

The docket fee isn't the only expense:

• Sheriff service: $10–$50 per defendant, varies by county
• Additional defendants: $10 each
• Witness subpoena: $12 per subpoena, plus service costs
• Default judgment fee: $50 if the claim exceeds $3,000 (in some counties)
• Certified mail service: If you choose certified mail over the sheriff, you'll pay USPS rates ($10–$19 for certified with return receipt and restricted delivery)

Payment methods matter too. Most clerk offices accept cashier's checks and money orders. Some take cash or credit cards. Personal checks are generally rejected. DeKalb County explicitly prohibits debit and credit card payments at the counter.

Can You Get the Filing Fee Waived?

If you can't afford the fee, file Form C-10-CIVIL (Affidavit of Substantial Hardship) alongside your complaint. You'll need to disclose your household income, liquid assets, real property, monthly expenses, and any public assistance you receive.

Important distinction: approval defers the fee — it doesn't eliminate it. The deferred amount is ultimately taxed as costs at the conclusion of the case. If you lose, you may still owe it. The deferral lets you get into court without the upfront payment.

Can You Recover Filing Costs?

Yes. If you win, the judge can include your filing fee and service costs in the judgment amount. Court costs are recoverable on top of the $6,000 jurisdictional cap — the cap applies only to the principal claim.

Prejudgment interest at 6% per year may also be recoverable on liquidated debts under § 8-8-1. Postjudgment interest accrues automatically at 7.5% per year from the date the judgment is entered.

Attorney fees are generally not recoverable under Alabama's American Rule, with limited exceptions for deceptive trade practices (§ 8-19-10) and worthless check claims (§ 6-5-285) — and only when the party is represented by a licensed attorney.

For county-by-county fee tables, threshold optimization strategies, and a filing cost calculator, the Alabama Small Claims Filing Guide breaks down the numbers for every stage of your case.

See more Alabama guides →