pettylawsuit

Los Angeles Court Filing Fees

Small Claims Filing Fees

$30 - $75 + Service Costs

Based on claim amount

Save Time on LA County Court Filing

Why spend 10-20 hours navigating court paperwork? Our $29 service fee covers complete filing assistance. We handle all forms and guide you through the entire LA County court process (court fees apply separately).

Court fees: $30-$75 filing + $40 service
PettyLawsuit service: $29 for complete assistance (plus court fees)

2026 Los Angeles County Court Fee Schedule

Official filing fees for all case types in Los Angeles Superior Court. These fees are set by California law and apply to all 38 LA County courthouse locations.

Small Claims Court
Claims up to $1,500$30
Claims $1,501 - $5,000$50
Claims $5,001 - $10,000$75
Additional plaintiff$0
Motion to vacate$0
Request for postponement$10
Sheriff service (per defendant)$40
Certified mail service$15-$20
Subpoena$125
Appeal to Superior Court$75
Limited Civil (Under $25,000)
Filing complaint$370
Filing complaint (over $10,000)$385
First paper (defendant)$370
Cross-complaint$370
Motion filing$60
Ex parte application$60
Jury trial request$150
Unlimited Civil (Over $25,000)
Filing complaint$435
Complex case$1,000
First paper (defendant)$435
Cross-complaint$435
Motion filing$60
Ex parte application$60
Jury trial request$150
Notice of appeal$775
Family Law
Petition (divorce/separation)$435
Response to petition$435
Request for Order$60
Stipulation and Order$20
Domestic violence restraining order$0
Child custody evaluation$500+
Landlord-Tenant
Unlawful detainer (eviction)$240
Answer to unlawful detainer$240
Writ of possession$40
Stay of execution$60
Security deposit claim$30-$75
Post-Judgment & Collections
Writ of execution$40
Abstract of judgment$40
Judgment lien on real property$30
Order of examination$60
Wage garnishment$40
Bank levy$40
Till tap/keeper levy$125
Sister-state judgment$435
Fee Waiver Information (Form FW-001)

If you cannot afford court fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Los Angeles Superior Court waives fees for eligible low-income individuals.

You may qualify if you:

  • Receive public benefits (CalWORKS, Food Stamps, SSI, Medi-Cal, etc.)
  • Have household income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines
  • Cannot meet basic needs and pay court fees

Note: Fee waivers only cover court fees, not service costs or other expenses. Processing can take 5-10 business days. With PettyLawsuit, avoid the wait and complexity - file for just $29 all-inclusive.

Traditional Filing vs PettyLawsuit

Traditional Court Filing
  • Filing fee: $30-$75
  • Service fee: $40+ per defendant
  • Drive to 1 of 38 courthouses
  • Wait in line 30-60 minutes
  • Complex forms to complete
  • Total cost: $115+ minimum
PettyLawsuit Online Filing
  • Everything included: $29
  • Service handled for you
  • File from anywhere online
  • Complete in 5 minutes
  • Forms auto-generated
  • Save $86+ on every case

Related Los Angeles Court Resources

Court Locations

Find the right courthouse among LA County's 38 locations

View LA County Superior Court Guide

Small Claims Guide

Complete guide to filing small claims in Los Angeles

Learn About Small Claims Court

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to file small claims in Los Angeles?

Small claims filing fees in Los Angeles are: $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 for claims $1,501-$5,000, and $75 for claims $5,001-$10,000. Additional fees apply for serving defendants (typically $40 per defendant for sheriff service).

What are civil case filing fees in LA County?

Civil filing fees in Los Angeles County are: Limited Civil ($370-$385 for cases under $25,000), Unlimited Civil ($435-$450 for cases over $25,000). First appearance fees for defendants are $370-$435.

Can I get a fee waiver in Los Angeles courts?

Yes, Los Angeles courts offer fee waivers for qualifying low-income individuals. File Form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) if you receive public benefits or your income is below 125% of federal poverty guidelines.

How much are service fees in Los Angeles County?

Service fees in Los Angeles County: Sheriff service $40 per address attempt, Certified mail $15-$20, Process server $75-$150, Service by publication $300-$600. PettyLawsuit charges a $29 service fee to handle all filing paperwork (court fees apply separately).