Nunavut Small Claims Court Fees: Filing Costs, Fee Waivers, and Hidden Expenses

Before you file a small claim in Nunavut, you need to know what it will actually cost. The filing fee is $75, and witness travel and corporate registry searches can add to the out-of-pocket expenses.

The Filing Fee: $75 CAD

Every Notice of Claim filed with the Nunavut Court of Justice Civil Registry costs $75 CAD. You pay this when you submit your documents:

• In person at the Iqaluit courthouse (Building #510)
• By phone with a credit card when filing by email — call (867) 975-6100 or toll-free 1-866-286-0546
• By mail with payment enclosed to P.O. Box 297, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0

This fee is non-refundable if your claim gets dismissed for being filed in the wrong forum. That is why it matters to confirm your dispute actually belongs in small claims court — residential tenancy deposit claims, for example, go to the Nunavut Rental Officer, not the court.

Sheriff Service of the Claim: No Fee

In Nunavut, you cannot serve your own Notice of Claim. Rule 9.1 requires the Sheriff or a Sheriff's delegate to serve it personally unless the Court orders otherwise. The Court Fees Regulations do not charge a fee for Sheriff's service of a Notice of Claim or Notice of Third Party Claim.

The Civil Registry forwards your sealed claim to the Sheriff's Office. For service questions, contact [email protected] or (867) 975-6103.

Corporate Profile Reports: $30–$40 CAD Through Third-Party Providers

If you are suing a business, verify the exact legal name before filing. An incorrect name on your Notice of Claim can make the entire judgment unenforceable. Nunavut Legal Registries lists searches at no charge; third-party providers charge $30–$40 CAD for a Corporate Profile Report that confirms the registered name, office address, directors, and active/inactive status.

For extra-territorial corporations (companies registered in another province but operating in Nunavut), the same search reveals their appointed statutory attorney for service within the territory.

Witness Expenses

If you need a witness at trial who will not come voluntarily, complete and file a Notice to Appear as a Witness (Form 10) and arrange for it to be served under Rule 9.2. The Small Claims Court guide says to serve it at least five days before the hearing. If the witness lives outside the community where trial will be held, you must arrange for testimony by telephone or videoconference, or pay transportation and accommodation costs.

In Nunavut, witness travel can be the single largest litigation expense. A witness in Rankin Inlet attending a hearing in Iqaluit could need a round-trip flight and a hotel room. Budget for this early and consider whether the witness's testimony is essential enough to justify the cost.

Other Potential Costs

• Document copying and search fees: Photocopies cost $1 per page, and a register search costs $15
• Audio file requests: Court proceedings are recorded digitally. Written transcripts are no longer provided, but you can request the audio file from the Registry at direct cost
• Registered mail: If you serve subsequent documents (anything after the initial claim) by registered mail, Canada Post charges apply
• Expert reports: If your claim involves property damage or defective goods, you may need a professional repair estimate or appraisal — the expert's fee is your responsibility

Fee Waivers for Financial Hardship

If the $75 filing fee is a barrier, you can apply for a fee waiver, deferral, or reduction. Submit an affidavit to the Registrar or a judge detailing your income, assets, and liabilities. The court reviews your financial situation and decides whether to waive or reduce the fee.

A fee waiver is an administrative decision separate from qualifying for legal aid. Even if Legal Aid turns you down, you may still get a fee waiver — and vice versa.

Can You Recover These Costs?

If you win, the judge has discretion to award court costs and disbursements as part of the judgment. Filing fees and corporate search costs may be requested. Witness travel and expert fees may also be recoverable, depending on the judge's assessment.

That said, recovering costs requires that the defendant actually pays the judgment. If the debtor has no assets, even a cost award will not put money in your hand.

Adding Up the Real Cost

For a straightforward claim against an individual in Iqaluit — no corporate search, no expert witness, no subpoena — your costs might be:

For a more complex case against an out-of-territory corporation with an expert witness:

Weigh these costs against the amount you are trying to recover. For claims under $500, the litigation expenses might eat into your recovery. For claims closer to the $20,000 limit, the filing costs are a small fraction of what is at stake.

The Making a Small Claim in Nunavut guide includes a costs calculator worksheet so you can estimate your total out-of-pocket expenses before you commit to filing.

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