Michigan Small Claims Filing Fee: How Much It Costs to Sue
Filing Fee Tiers
Michigan sets small claims filing fees based on how much you are suing for. Each tier includes a mandatory $5 electronic filing system charge under MCL 600.176:
| Claim amount | Base fee | E-filing fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.01 – $600 | $25 | $5 | $30 |
| $600.01 – $1,750 | $45 | $5 | $50 |
| $1,750.01 – $7,000 | $65 | $5 | $70 |
These fees apply whether you file in person, by mail, or electronically through MiFILE.
Additional Costs Beyond the Filing Fee
The filing fee gets your case started, but it does not cover everything:
- Certified mail service: Roughly $10–15 per defendant when the court clerk sends the papers by certified mail with return receipt.
- Personal service: If certified mail fails (returned unclaimed or refused), you will need a court officer, sheriff deputy, or private process server. Court-officer service is listed at $26 plus mileage; other providers' charges vary.
- Witness subpoena fees: $12 half-day attendance fee per witness, plus mileage.
- Copies: Some courts charge for extra copies of filed documents.
If you win, the judge may order the defendant to reimburse your filing costs and service fees. But cost recovery is not automatic — it is at the judge's discretion.
Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers
You can ask the court to waive filing and service fees by submitting Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request) under MCR 2.002. You qualify automatically if:
- You receive means-tested public assistance — SNAP, Medicaid, FIP/TANF, WIC, or SSI
- You are represented by a legal aid organization
- Your gross household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines
If the clerk or judge approves your waiver, the filing fee and official service costs are suspended. If it is denied, you have 14 calendar days to either pay the full fee or file Form MC 114 to request a judge review. The review preserves your original filing date, so you do not lose time.
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Cost vs. Claim: When It Makes Sense
For a $500 dispute, the $30 filing fee is 6% of what you are trying to recover. For a $5,000 claim, the $70 fee is 1.4%. Add service costs and you are typically looking at $45–100 total out of pocket to bring a case.
Compare that to hiring an attorney for a general civil case ($250–400 per hour) or using a commercial document filing service ($100–300+). For disputes under $7,000, small claims court is the most cost-effective option available.
The Michigan small claims filing guide includes a cost calculator worksheet and walks through the fee waiver process step by step.
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