pettylawsuit

Bergen County Justice Center Filing Fees

Complete fee schedule for all case types at Bergen County Justice Center. Know exactly what you'll pay before filing.

Quick Fee Reference 2026

Small Claims

$35 - $54

Claims up to $5,000

Special Civil Part

$105 - $200

Claims $5,001 - $20,000

Service Fee

$29+

Certified mail or process server

PettyLawsuit Service: $29 filing assistance + court fees shown above
Small Claims Court Filing Fees
For cases up to $5,000 - New Jersey's small claims limit
Claim AmountFiling FeeService by MailTotal Cost
Up to $1,000$35$29$64
$1,001 - $2,500$42$29$71
$2,501 - $5,000$54$29$83
Pro Tip: Small claims court is the most cost-effective option for disputes under $5,000. No attorneys required and cases resolve in 30-45 days.
Special Civil Part Filing Fees
For cases $5,001 to $20,000 - More complex procedures apply
Claim AmountFiling FeeService FeeTotal Initial Cost
$5,001 - $10,000$105$29-100$134-205
$10,001 - $15,000$150$29-100$179-250
$15,001 - $20,000$200$29-100$229-300
Important: Special Civil Part cases often benefit from attorney representation due to more complex procedures. Discovery rules and motion practice apply.
Law Division Filing Fees
For cases over $20,000 - Full civil procedure rules apply
Initial Filing Fee:$250

Law Division cases involve full discovery, depositions, and complex motion practice. Attorney representation is strongly recommended.

Jury demand (additional):$150
Motion filing:$50
Cross-claim/counterclaim:$250
Service of Process Fees
Required fees to legally notify the defendant

Certified Mail (Recommended)

Most common for small claims

$29

Proof of delivery provided. Works for most defendants with known addresses.

Special Process Server

For hard-to-serve defendants

$50-100

Professional server personally delivers papers. Required if mail service fails.

Sheriff Service

Official county service

$40

Bergen County Sheriff delivers papers. May take longer than private process server.

Motion and Miscellaneous Fees

Motion Fees

Motion filing (general):$50
Motion for default judgment:$50
Motion to vacate:$50
Discovery motion:$50

Other Court Fees

Subpoena issuance:$5
Certified copy:$10
Exemplified copy:$25
Appeal filing:$250
Post-Judgment Collection Fees
Fees for collecting your judgment after winning
These fees are typically added to what the defendant owes you and can be recovered as part of your judgment.

Wage Garnishment

$50

Application to garnish defendant's wages

Bank Levy

$40

Freeze and seize funds from bank accounts

Information Subpoena

$25

Discover defendant's assets and employment

Judgment Transcript

$35

Official record for liens or other courts

Fee Waiver for Low-Income Litigants

If you cannot afford court fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Bergen County Justice Center will waive fees if you meet certain income requirements.

You may qualify if:

  • • You receive public assistance (TANF, SSI, SNAP, Medicaid)
  • • Your household income is below 150% of federal poverty guidelines
  • • You can demonstrate financial hardship

How to Apply:

  1. 1. Complete Form 5A (Application for Waiver of Fees)
  2. 2. Attach proof of income or public assistance
  3. 3. Submit with your filing documents
  4. 4. Judge will review and decide on your application

Calculate Your Total Filing Cost

Use PettyLawsuit to file your case for just $29 + the court fees shown above. We handle all the paperwork and guide you through every step.

Cost Comparison: DIY vs Attorney vs PettyLawsuit
OptionSmall Claims ($3,000 claim)Time RequiredSuccess Rate
DIY Filing$83 (fees only)8-10 hoursVariable
Attorney$1,000-2,000+2-3 hours (your time)High
PettyLawsuit$112 ($29 + $83 fees)30 minutesHigh

Related New Jersey Resources

File NJ Small Claims Online

Online filing guide for New Jersey courts

Bergen County Justice Center

Complete justice center guide

Bergen County Small Claims

Small claims procedures for Bergen County

Bergen County Court Forms

Required forms for Bergen County filings