Filing a federal lawsuit costs $405 in 2026
To start a civil case in a US district court, you pay $405. That is the $350 filing fee set by federal law plus a $55 administrative fee added by the courts. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus costs only $5. People the court allows to proceed without paying (in forma pauperis) do not pay the $55 fee.
District court filing fees
| Civil filing fee set by law | $350 |
|---|---|
| Administrative fee for a civil case | $55 |
| Habeas corpus petition | $5 |
| Filing a document not related to a pending case | $52 |
| Appeal of a misdemeanor conviction by a magistrate judge | $41 |
| Returned or denied payment | $53 |
| New civil case, all in | $405 |
|---|
The $350 applies to every civil case, whether it is filed new or removed from a state court. The $55 fee does not apply to habeas petitions or to people granted in forma pauperis status. Sources: 28 U.S.C. 1914, District court filing fees (U.S. Code, House Office of the Law Revision Counsel); Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule (effective Dec 1, 2023).
What this price covers
The $405 is only what the court charges to open the case. It does not include serving the other side, copies, expert costs or lawyer fees. The $350 part has been set by Congress since 2006. The $55 administrative fee is set by the Judicial Conference and appears as item 14 on the district court fee schedule.
What changes your price
- Type of case. A regular civil case is $405. A habeas petition is $5.
- Removal. Moving a case from state court to federal court costs the same $405.
- Ability to pay. If the court grants in forma pauperis status, you skip the $55 fee and may not have to prepay the $350.
Ways to pay less
- If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk for the application to proceed in forma pauperis.
- Check the court's local rules. Some courts also require advance payment for other fees.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the federal courts' own fee schedules or from federal law. The fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference of the United States and by Congress, so they are the same in every federal court. Where we show a total, we only add up fees the courts list, so you can see the full amount in one place. We do not add our own guesses, and lawyer fees are not included. The schedules we used took effect on December 1, 2023 and were still the current versions when we last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a federal lawsuit?
$405: a $350 filing fee plus a $55 administrative fee.
How much is a habeas corpus filing fee?
$5.
Can the filing fee be waived?
Yes, the court can grant in forma pauperis status if you cannot afford it.