Resource Directory: Litigator’s List

Court Costs, Fees, and Information Sources

The following rates are subject to change. Please confirm with the specific courts.

This page updated 4/15/2024

Printable version of the Litigator's List (PDF)

FEDERAL COURTS

U.S. SUPREME COURT

U.S. Supreme Court website (links to new window)

  • Petition for Writ of Certiorari—$300
  • Admission to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court—$200
    • Duplicate copy of admissions—$15
  • Copying fees—no charge
  • Certified copies—$1 per page
  • Certificate of Good Standing—$10
  • Supreme Court Rules—See website

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, SIXTH CIRCUIT

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit website (links to new window)

  • Appeal fee (payable to District Court Clerk)—$600
    • 28 USC 1913
  • Search of court records, photocopies, and certification—See website
  • Admission to the Bar of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals—$199

U.S. DISTRICT COURTS

U.S. DISTRICT COURT — EASTERN DISTRICT

U.S. District Court, Eastern District website (links to new window)

  • Admission fee—$318
  • Certification, photocopy fees—See website
  • Civil filing fee — 28 USC 1914—$405
  • Notice of Appeal—$605

Bankruptcy Court — Eastern District

Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District website (links to new window)

  • Filing fees—See website
  • Certification, photocopy fees—See website

U.S. District Court — Western District

U.S. District Court, Western District website (links to new window)

  • Admission fee—$251
  • Civil filing fee—28 USC 1914—$405
  • Habeas Corpus petition—$5
  • Notice of Appeal—$605
  • Certification, photocopy fees—See website
  • Witness fee—$40 per day

Bankruptcy Court — Western District

Bankruptcy Court, Western District website (links to new window)

  • Filing fees—See website
  • Certification, photocopy fees—See website

STATE COURTS

SUPREME COURT

Supreme Court website (links to new window)

  • Application for Leave to Appeal or any original action — MCR 7.319(C)(1)—$375
  • Electronic filing system fee — MCL 600.1986—$25
  • Motion for Immediate Consideration/Expedited Appeal—$150
  • Motion fee — 7.319(C)(3))—$75
  • Additional appeal fee paid to Circuit Court Clerk — MCL 600.2529(1)(g)—$25
  • Certificate as Member in Good Standing of Bar (small document)—$10

COURT OF APPEALS

Court of Appeals website (links to new window)

(Click on “Clerk’s Office” then “Internal Operating Procedures”)

  • Entry fee for each lower court number — MCL 600.321(1)(a)—$375
    • (claim, application, cross-appeal, or original action — MCL 600.321(1))
  • Electronic filing system fee — MCL 600.1986(1)(a)—$25
  • Motion for Immediate Consideration—$200
  • Motion to Expedite Appeal—$200
  • Motion fee — MCL 600.321(1)(b)—$100

CIRCUIT COURT

Circuit Court website (links to new window)

  • Filing fee — MCL 600.2529(a)—$150
  • Electronic filing system fee — MCL 600.1986(1)(a)—$25
  • Motion fee — MCL 600.2529(1)(e)—$20
  • Case evaluation panel member fees — MCR 2.403(H)
    • Attorney panel member—$75
    • Judge member—$50
  • Mediation — other general civil — See MCR 2.411(D)(1) — mediator entitled to reasonable compensation on an hourly rate
  • Mediation — domestic relations — See MCR 3.216(J)
  • Jury trial fee payable on the day jury demand is filed — MCL 600.2529(1)(c)—$85
  • Garnishment fee, attachment fee, execution fee, judgment — debtor discover subpoena mcl 600.2529 (1)(h)—$15
  • Certification fee — MCL 600.2546—$10 + $1 per page
  • Divorce filing fee—$150 + one of the following:
    • Judgment fee — In action in which support of minor child is determined—$40
    • In action in which custody or parenting time of minor children is determined—$80

Witness fee must be served on witness together with payment of one day’s attendance and mileage — MCR 2.506(G)(1)

  • Per day — MCL 600.2552(1)—$12
  • Per half-day — MCL 600.2552(1)—$6

Mileage rate is benchmarked on the IRS rate and changes annually on January 1 (links to new window) — (Choose “Services” then “Travel”)

MCL 600.2552 (5) Expert witness fee — by order of the court — MCL 600.2164

Attorney fees taxable as costs in Circuit Court — MCL 600.2405(6)

  • Proceedings before trial — MCL 600.2441(2)(a)—$20
  • Motions that result in dismissal or judgment — MCL 600.2441(2)(b)—$20
  • Attorney fee if trial is had — MCL 600.2441(2)(c)—$150
  • If default or consent judgment is entered — MCL 600.2441(2)(e)—$75
  • For taxable costs other than attorney fees, see MCL 600.2405 and MCL 600.2501

DISTRICT COURT

District Court website (links to new window)

Filing fee (Includes judgment fee. Does not include electronic filing fee)—MCL 600.8371

  • If claim is over $10,000—$150
  • If claim is over $1,750 to $10,000—$65
  • If claim is over $600 to $1,750—$45
  • If claim is $600 or less—$25

Electronic filing system fee — MCL 600.1986

  • For civil actions filed in the district court, including summary proceedings actions—$10
  • For civil actions filed in the district court if a claim for money damages is joined with a claim for relief other than money damages—$20
  • For civil actions filed in the small claims division—$5

Motion fee — MCL 600.8371(10)—$20

Jury demand fee payable by party requesting the jury — MCL 600.8371(9)—$50

Garnishment fee, attachment fee, execution fee, judgment debtor discovery subpoena — MCL 600.5757—$15

Summary proceedings fee — MCL 600.5756 For possesion of premises only—$45

When a claim for money damages is joined with a claim for relief for other than money damages, a supplemental fee is required:

  • If claim is over $10,000—$150
  • If claim is over $1,750 to $10,000—$65
  • If claim is over $600 to $1,750—$45
  • If claim is $600 or less—$25

Small claims fees

  • If claim exceeds $1,750—$65
  • If claim exceeds $600 but does not exceed $1,750—$45
  • If claim is $600 or less—$25

Appeal to Circuit Court

  • Fee to District Court Clerk — MCL 600.6536—$25
  • plus fee to Circuit Court Clerk — MCL 600.2529(1)(b)—$150
  • Certified copy — MCL 600.2546—$10 + $1 per page

PROBATE COURT

Probate Court website (links to new window)

  • Electronic filing system fee — MCL 600.1986—$25

STATE AGENCIES

Secretary of State — Automobile and Driver Records (links to new window)

Michigan State Police — Accident Reports (links to new window)

Forms and instructions available on the website under Freedom of Information Act Requests link.

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Corporate Records (links to new window)

INTEREST ON MONEY JUDGMENTS

Interest on Money Judgments website (links to new window)