New York Small Claims Court Filing Fee

Base filing fees for New York small claims and commercial claims range from $10 to $25, depending on the court and claim type. Some courts charge postage separately. Here's the breakdown by court tier.

Filing Fee Schedule by Court

NYC Civil Court (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island)

• Claims of $1,000 or less: $15
• Claims of $1,001 to $10,000: $20

City Courts (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, and other cities outside NYC)

• Claims of $1,000 or less: $15
• Claims of $1,001 to $5,000: $20

District Courts (Nassau County and Western Suffolk County)

• Claims of $1,000 or less: $15
• Claims of $1,001 to $5,000: $20

Town and Village Justice Courts

• Claims of $1,000 or less: $10
• Claims of $1,001 to $3,000: $15

Commercial Claims (corporations, LLCs, partnerships)

• $25 per claim, plus postage

Counterclaim filing fee: $3 to $5 plus mailing costs, depending on the court.

Total Cost Beyond the Filing Fee

The filing fee covers the court's processing of your claim. Some courts charge postage separately for the clerk's mail service. Your actual out-of-pocket cost may also include:

• Process server fees ($75–$150) if certified mail service fails and you need personal service
• Witness fees ($15 per day plus $0.23 per mile) if you need to subpoena a witness
• Photocopying costs for evidence — bring printed copies for the judge, the defendant, and yourself

For example, the Ninth Judicial District lists $10.02 in postage per defendant, effective July 12, 2026. Check the current fee schedule for the court where you file. Cases with failed service or witnesses can run $100 to $200.

Accepted Payment Methods

Payment rules vary by courthouse:

• NYC Civil Court: Cash, certified check, bank check, or money order payable to "Clerk of the Civil Court." No personal or business checks.
• Rochester City Court: Cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard with government photo ID. No personal or business checks.
• Nassau County District Court: Money orders, certified checks, bank checks, or attorney checks.
• Other City and Town Courts: Check with the clerk's office — many accept cash and money orders but not credit cards.

Call your courthouse before going to confirm what they take. Showing up with only a personal check at a court that doesn't accept them means a wasted trip.

Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers

If you're receiving public assistance or cannot afford the filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver under CPLR 1101 ("Poor Person's Relief"). In NYC Civil Court, use Form CIV-GP-15.

You'll need to submit an affidavit or affirmation detailing your income, assets, expenses, and the basis of your claim. If the court grants the waiver, your filing fee, postage costs, and transcript fees are waived. The waiver doesn't cover process server fees if you need personal service.

Can You Recover Your Filing Fee?

If you win your case, the judge can include your filing fee and service costs in the judgment amount. Keep receipts for everything you spend on the case — filing fees, postage, process server invoices — and present them at the hearing.

Our Filing a Small Claims Case in New York guide includes a cost planning worksheet and walks through fee waivers, payment methods by court, and how to recover costs when you win.

See more New York guides →