Maine Small Claims Court Filing Fees — Every Cost From Filing to Collection

Before you file anything, you want to know what the whole process will actually cost. Maine's small claims court is designed to be affordable — but the $70 filing fee is only the first line on the bill. Your total depends on how you serve the defendant and whether you later request post-judgment enforcement.

The $70 Filing Fee

Every small claims case in Maine starts with a $70 entry fee, set by Administrative Order JB-05-26 (effective March 9, 2026). The fee includes the CADRES mediation component — you don't pay separately for mediation on your hearing day.

You pay the fee when you file Form SC-001 (Statement of Claim) at the District Court clerk's office. If you're in a county where eFileMaine is live, you can pay electronically when you submit your filing online.

Service Costs

Serving the defendant adds to the total, and how much depends on the method you choose:

• Certified restricted mail — check current USPS rates for certified mail with return receipt and restricted delivery.
• Clerk-arranged service (Form SC-006) — $15 per party, on top of the $70 filing fee. Available if you file fewer than three small claims cases per month. The clerk handles the mailing for you.
• Sheriff or process server — ask the sheriff or process server for its current service charge.
• First-class mail with acknowledgment (Form SC-005) — the cost of a stamp, plus a return envelope. The catch: service only counts if the defendant signs and returns the SC-005 within 20 days, and many defendants don't.

If certified mail comes back unclaimed, you'll need to re-serve by sheriff or process server — meaning you may end up paying for two service methods on the same case.

Post-Judgment Fees

If the judgment remains unpaid and unappealed 30 days after docket entry, you may initiate a disclosure hearing to compel the defendant to reveal income and assets under oath. Filing Form SC-003 (Request for Disclosure Hearing) costs $30 per defendant. If you use optional court service for the disclosure notice, add another $20.

Appeal Costs

If either side appeals the District Court's decision to Superior Court, the appellant pays the Superior Court entry fee, plus the cost of ordering the audio recording or transcript from the original hearing (Form CV/CR-165). These fees are set by the Superior Court's own schedule and are separate from the small claims fee structure.

Fee Waivers

If you can't afford the filing fee, Maine lets you apply to proceed without payment. Submit Form CV-067 (Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees) along with Form CV-191 (Financial Affidavit) detailing your income, expenses, and assets. A judge or clerk reviews the application. While it's pending, your filing date is preserved — if it's denied, you get a window to pay the fee and keep your case alive.

The fee waiver can cover the $70 entry fee. Ask the court whether the waiver order covers sheriff service costs or disclosure hearing fees as well.

Total Cost Scenarios

The court entry fee is $70, plus the cost of your chosen service method. Clerk-arranged service adds $15 per party; a disclosure hearing adds $30 per debtor and $20 if you use optional court service for the disclosure notice. Postage and sheriff or private process-server charges are separate, so check current rates with the provider.

The Maine Small Claims Filing Guide includes a deadline tracker and cost worksheet so you can budget the full sequence before you spend anything at the clerk's window.

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