Arkansas Small Claims Court Filing Fee: Costs and Fee Waivers

Filing Fees by Court

Arkansas does not charge a single statewide fee for small claims. The base filing fee depends on which district court you are using:

• Little Rock District Court (Pulaski County): $65
• Fort Smith District Court (Sebastian County): $65
• Springdale District Court (Washington County): $65
• Rural district courts: $30 to $50, depending on the jurisdiction

Metropolitan courts cluster around $65. Smaller and rural courts often charge less. Call the specific clerk's office to confirm the current amount before you go — fees occasionally change when counties adjust their operational assessments.

Other Costs Beyond the Filing Fee

The filing fee is only the first expense. A realistic budget includes:

Service of process: Sheriff service runs about $50 per address served (the exact amount is set by each county). USPS currently lists Certified Mail Restricted Delivery at $14.35, plus postage and a return-receipt fee of $4.65 for a mailed card or $2.91 electronically. The clerk may collect postage at filing.

Copies: You need the original complaint plus three complete sets (one for the court, one for you, one per defendant), including all attachments. If you do not bring enough copies, the clerk charges for them — $0.25 per page in Fort Smith, $0.12 per page in Springdale.

Subpoena issuance: $2.50 per subpoena at Fort Smith and $5.00 per subpoena at Springdale. These are small but add up if you need witness subpoenas.

Post-judgment writs: If you win and need to garnish wages or levy a bank account, writ issuance costs $10 per writ.

Certified copies of the judgment: $5 per copy. You will need at least one if you pursue collections.

Total Cost Estimate

For a single-defendant case in Fort Smith using sheriff service:

For a rural filing using certified mail, add the local $30 to $50 filing fee to current USPS postage and service charges. Certified Mail Restricted Delivery is $14.35, plus postage and a return-receipt fee of $4.65 for a mailed card or $2.91 electronically.

Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers

If you cannot afford the filing fee, Arkansas allows you to petition to proceed in forma pauperis under Rule 72 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure.

The process:

1. Complete and sign a sworn Petition and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, detailing your monthly income, government benefits, liquid assets, real property, and living expenses
2. Submit it with your complaint to the clerk
3. The judge reviews both documents and grants the waiver only if your claim has a colorable cause of action — a legitimate claim supported by law

An approved petition waives the court filing fee. It does not cover third-party costs like sheriff service fees (which vary by county; Sebastian County charges $50) or the $165 Circuit Court filing fee if you later appeal. You still pay for service of process out of pocket.

There is no fixed income threshold published statewide. The judge makes an individualized assessment based on your affidavit. Legal Aid of Arkansas (1-800-967-9224) can help you understand whether you are likely to qualify.

Can You Recover Filing Costs?

The prevailing party is entitled to costs of the action, including service and notice costs and the costs of enforcing a judgment (District Court Rule 10(e)(5)). Keep your receipts.

Our Arkansas small claims filing guide includes a cost worksheet that totals your expected expenses before you file, so there are no surprises at the clerk's window.

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