Wyoming Small Claims Filing Fee: Total Costs to Sue in Circuit Court
The court filing fee for a Wyoming small claims case is $10. That's the statewide rate under Small Claims Rule 3, uniform across all 23 counties. But the $10 fee is only part of what you'll actually spend — service charges, potential alias summons fees, and appeals costs add up if the case gets complicated.
Complete Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Amount | When you pay it |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $10 | When you submit Form SC 01 to the clerk |
| Sheriff service fee | $25–$50 per defendant | When the sheriff attempts to serve papers |
| Alias summons fee | ~$50 | Only if the first service attempt fails |
| Witness subpoena | Statutory attendance + mileage fees | Only if you need a reluctant witness |
| District Court appeal fee | ~$200 ($100 to District Court + $100 lower court fee) | Only if you or the defendant appeals |
For a straightforward case with one defendant and successful first-attempt service, expect to spend $35–$60 total.
Why Sheriff Fees Vary by County
The $10 filing fee is set by state statute, but sheriff service fees are set by each county's sheriff office. Teton County charges $50 per service attempt. Other counties charge $25–$35. The fee covers the deputy physically locating the defendant and handing over the summons and affidavit.
When you file by mail, most counties require a separate check for the sheriff's service fee — payable to the Sheriff's Office, not the Circuit Court. Teton County rejects filings that combine the filing fee and sheriff fee into one check. If you're mailing a filing, call the clerk's office first to confirm the exact amount and payee for the sheriff check.
What Happens When Service Fails
If the sheriff can't locate or serve the defendant within the required 9-day service window before trial, your hearing gets continued. You'll need to request an alias summons from the clerk, which resets the process with a new court date. That costs approximately $50 for the additional service attempt.
Multiple failed service attempts can push total costs above $100 before you ever see a courtroom. This is most common with defendants who actively avoid being served — they know what's coming and make themselves scarce.
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Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers
If you can't afford the fees, Wyoming allows you to petition for a waiver by filing an Affidavit of Indigency and Financial Statement through the Judicial Branch Self-Help Packet 10 framework. The court evaluates your household income against federal poverty guidelines and decides whether to waive the $10 filing fee.
A fee waiver covers the court filing fee only. Sheriff service charges are paid directly to the sheriff's office, not the court, so a waiver may not cover them. If you win, the judge can assess all costs — including the ones you paid for service — against the losing defendant.
Recovering Your Costs
When you win a small claims judgment, the court can add your out-of-pocket costs to the amount the defendant owes. This includes the $10 filing fee and sheriff service charges. Some judges do this automatically; others require you to request it. Bring receipts for every fee you've paid.
Post-judgment interest at 10% per year also accrues from the date of judgment entry under W.S. § 1-16-102, which adds up if the defendant is slow to pay.
For a pre-filing cost worksheet and county-specific fee directory covering all 23 Wyoming Circuit Courts, get the complete filing toolkit.
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