Tennessee Small Claims Filing Fees: What You'll Pay by County

The filing fee is usually the first concrete number people want before committing to a small claims case. In Tennessee, the answer depends on which county you're in and how many defendants you're suing. Here's what to budget for.

Base Filing Fees by County

The statutory base clerk fee is $42 under T.C.A. § 8-21-401, but that's just one component. Your total at the counter bundles the clerk fee, state and local litigation taxes, sheriff service, and county administrative surcharges. Filing fees were restructured effective January 1, 2026 under Public Chapter 486.

Here's what the major counties charge for a Civil Warrant with one defendant and sheriff service:

• Davidson County (Nashville): ~$145.75 — broken down as $50 clerk fee, $52 sheriff service, $43.75 in taxes
• Knox County (Knoxville): ~$216.50
• Shelby County (Memphis): ~$150-$180, varies by case type
• Hamilton County (Chattanooga): ~$271.25 — the highest among major metros
• Rural counties: Typically $125-$150

If you choose certified mail service instead of the sheriff, Knox County drops to about $176.

Extra Costs That Add Up

Beyond the base filing fee, several additional expenses can apply:

Additional defendants — Each extra defendant adds $52 for sheriff service, regardless of county.

Subpoenas — If you need to compel a witness to appear, the clerk charges $10 for issuance. Add $52 for sheriff service of the subpoena, or use a private process server and pay only the $10 clerk fee.

Alias warrants — If the sheriff can't find the defendant ("Not to be Found"), you'll need an alias Civil Warrant. That means another service fee.

Credit card surcharges — County clerk online portals and some counters charge 2.5-3.5% for card transactions.

Post-judgment costs — Garnishment applications cost $25. Recording an abstract of judgment with the Register of Deeds is $5.

Payment Methods Vary by County

Don't assume the clerk takes personal checks. Blount County, for example, explicitly prohibits personal checks — they accept only cashier's checks, money orders, or credit cards. Davidson and Shelby accept a broader range of payment methods. Call your county clerk before heading to the courthouse.

What Happens If You Win

Court costs are taxed to the losing party. If you prevail, the judge adds your filing fees, service costs, and subpoena fees to the judgment amount. You're repaid through the judgment — assuming the defendant actually pays or you collect through garnishment.

Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers

If the filing fee is genuinely beyond your means, Tennessee provides a fee-waiver process under T.C.A. § 20-12-127. You complete the Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency, which requires detailed financial disclosures — income, bank balances, property, dependents, and monthly expenses. Sign it under oath and submit it to the clerk with your Civil Warrant.

The General Sessions Judge reviews the affidavit and either approves or denies it. Approval doesn't eliminate court costs — it postpones them. The losing party still owes costs at the end of the case.

For a complete cost breakdown by county and a filing-fee calculator worksheet, the Tennessee Small Claims Filing Guide includes everything you need to budget for your case.

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