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Michigan small claims cost guide
Claim limit $7,000, filed in the District Court — Small Claims Division. Filing fee: Statewide tiers: $30 (to $600) · $50 (to $1,750) · $70 (to $7,000), plus the cost of certified mail or personal service.
| Michigan at a glance | Figure |
|---|---|
| Maximum claim | $7,000 |
| Court | District Court — Small Claims Division |
| Filing fee | Statewide tiers: $30 (to $600) · $50 (to $1,750) · $70 (to $7,000), plus the cost of certified mail or personal service |
| Service of process | Certified-mail service through the court, or personal service at server rates ($35–$85 typical) |
| Estimated total to file | Filing fee (confirm with clerk) + $35–$85 service |
Good to know in Michigan
No lawyers are allowed in Michigan small claims — either side may remove the case to the regular civil division to use counsel. Filing in small claims also waives a jury trial.
Use the homepage calculator to price a specific claim amount in Michigan, and the step-by-step filing guide for the general process — the sequence (file, serve, answer, hearing, judgment, enforcement) is the same in every state even though the fees and court names differ.
Before you file anywhere, check the claim limit and filing fee for your state — a claim $1 over the limit can be dismissed or bounced to regular civil court.
Open the cost calculatorSources: Michigan Legal Help — Small Claims Court overview. Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court clerk.
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