Michigan Court Filing Fees: What Every Case Type Costs

Family Law Filing Fees

Divorce fees are set by statute and are identical statewide. Filing fees do not include service of process, which typically adds $30 to $100 depending on whether you use the sheriff or a private process server.

• Divorce without minor children — $175
• Divorce with minor children — $255 (includes the Friend of the Court fee)
• Custody or support motion — $20 in most circuit courts
• Personal protection order — no fee
• Name change petition — $175 plus fingerprinting and publication for adults

District Court Civil and Small Claims Fees

District court handles money claims up to $25,000. The small claims division caps claims at $7,000 and charges by claim size.

• Small claims, $600 or less — $25
• Small claims, $600.01 to $1,750 — $45
• Small claims, $1,750.01 to $7,000 — $65
• General civil, up to $600 — $65
• General civil, $600.01 to $1,750 — $85
• General civil, above $1,750 — $150

Landlord-Tenant Fees

Eviction cases are filed in district court and carry lower fees than general civil cases, but the total cost rises once service and the order of eviction are added.

• Summary proceedings (eviction) filing — $45
• Order of eviction issuance — $15
• Court officer service and removal — varies, commonly $75 to $200

Probate and Estate Fees

Probate filing fees are largely uniform, but inventory fees are calculated on the value of the estate and paid later in the case.

• Opening a decedent estate — $175
• Petition for assignment of small estate — $25 plus an inventory fee
• Guardianship or conservatorship petition — $175
• Certified copies of Letters of Authority — around $10 to $12 each
• Inventory fee — calculated on estate value under MCL 600.871

Criminal Records and Licensing

Expungement filings have no court filing fee in Michigan, but the required state processing charge still applies.

• Application to set aside a conviction — no court filing fee
• Michigan State Police processing fee — $50
• Fingerprinting — typically $10 to $30 at a local agency
• Driver's license restoration hearing — Secretary of State fees vary by hearing type

If You Cannot Afford the Fee

Michigan courts must waive or suspend filing fees for people who cannot afford them. File form MC 20 at the same time as your first document. Filers who receive FIP, SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid generally qualify automatically; others qualify based on household income and expenses. A waiver covers court filing fees but not private process server charges or state agency fees.