2026 Guide 99 Cities
Legal Costs by City (2026)
Local guides for LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims court, and notary fees in major US cities.
Local Legal Fee Guides for 100 Major US Cities
Legal filing fees vary by state — and within a state, the county courthouse that serves your city determines exactly what you pay. Our city guides pull together the four most common legal costs for each major US city: LLC formation filing fees, divorce petition fees, small claims court limits and filing fees, and notary acknowledgment caps. Every figure is sourced directly from the relevant state agency or court and reviewed for 2026. Whether you're a small-business owner choosing where to incorporate, a resident planning to file a lawsuit, or someone navigating a divorce, you'll find the numbers you need without having to search dozens of government websites.
What each city guide includes
- LLC formation cost — state filing fee to register a new LLC
- Divorce filing fee — base petition fee at the local superior or district court
- Small claims court limit — maximum dollar amount you can sue for without an attorney
- Notary fee cap — maximum per-signature fee allowed by state law
Browse by City
Albuquerque, NM
LLC: $50 · SC max: $10,000
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Anchorage, AK
LLC: $250 · SC max: $10,000
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Atlanta, GA
LLC: $100 · SC max: $15,000
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Aurora, IL
LLC: $150 · SC max: $10,000
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Austin, TX
LLC: $300 · SC max: $20,000
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Baltimore, MD
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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Baton Rouge, LA
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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Billings, MT
LLC: $35 · SC max: $7,000
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Birmingham, AL
LLC: $200 · SC max: $6,000
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Bismarck, ND
LLC: $135 · SC max: $15,000
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Boise, ID
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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Boston, MA
LLC: $500 · SC max: $7,000
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Buffalo, NY
LLC: $200 · SC max: $10,000
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Burlington, VT
LLC: $125 · SC max: $5,000
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Casper, WY
LLC: $100 · SC max: $6,000
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Cedar Rapids, IA
LLC: $50 · SC max: $6,500
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Charleston, SC
LLC: $110 · SC max: $7,500
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Charleston, WV
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Charlotte, NC
LLC: $125 · SC max: $10,000
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Cheyenne, WY
LLC: $100 · SC max: $6,000
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Chicago, IL
LLC: $150 · SC max: $10,000
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Cleveland, OH
LLC: $99 · SC max: $6,000
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Colorado Springs, CO
LLC: $50 · SC max: $7,500
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Columbia, SC
LLC: $110 · SC max: $7,500
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Columbus, OH
LLC: $99 · SC max: $6,000
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Dallas, TX
LLC: $300 · SC max: $20,000
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Denver, CO
LLC: $50 · SC max: $7,500
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Des Moines, IA
LLC: $50 · SC max: $6,500
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Detroit, MI
LLC: $50 · SC max: $6,500
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Dover, DE
LLC: $90 · SC max: $25,000
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Fairbanks, AK
LLC: $250 · SC max: $10,000
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Fargo, ND
LLC: $135 · SC max: $15,000
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Fort Smith, AR
LLC: $45 · SC max: $5,000
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Fort Wayne, IN
LLC: $95 · SC max: $10,000
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Grand Rapids, MI
LLC: $50 · SC max: $6,500
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Hartford, CT
LLC: $120 · SC max: $5,000
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Honolulu, HI
LLC: $50 · SC max: $5,000
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Houston, TX
LLC: $300 · SC max: $20,000
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Huntington, WV
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Indianapolis, IN
LLC: $95 · SC max: $10,000
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Jackson, MS
LLC: $50 · SC max: $3,500
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Jacksonville, FL
LLC: $125 · SC max: $8,000
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Jersey City, NJ
LLC: $125 · SC max: $5,000
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Kansas City, MO
LLC: $50 · SC max: $5,000
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Las Vegas, NV
LLC: $425 · SC max: $10,000
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Lexington, KY
LLC: $40 · SC max: $2,500
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Lincoln, NE
LLC: $100 · SC max: $3,600
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Little Rock, AR
LLC: $45 · SC max: $5,000
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Los Angeles, CA
LLC: $70 · SC max: $12,500
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Louisville, KY
LLC: $40 · SC max: $2,500
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Madison, WI
LLC: $130 · SC max: $10,000
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Manchester, NH
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Memphis, TN
LLC: $300 · SC max: $25,000
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Miami, FL
LLC: $125 · SC max: $8,000
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Milwaukee, WI
LLC: $130 · SC max: $10,000
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Minneapolis, MN
LLC: $155 · SC max: $15,000
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Missoula, MT
LLC: $35 · SC max: $7,000
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Montgomery, AL
LLC: $200 · SC max: $6,000
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Nashua, NH
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Nashville, TN
LLC: $300 · SC max: $25,000
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New Haven, CT
LLC: $120 · SC max: $5,000
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New Orleans, LA
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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New York City, NY
LLC: $200 · SC max: $10,000
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Newark, NJ
LLC: $125 · SC max: $5,000
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Oklahoma City, OK
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Omaha, NE
LLC: $100 · SC max: $3,600
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Orlando, FL
LLC: $125 · SC max: $8,000
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Overland Park, KS
LLC: $160 · SC max: $4,000
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Philadelphia, PA
LLC: $125 · SC max: $12,000
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Phoenix, AZ
LLC: $50 · SC max: $3,500
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Pittsburgh, PA
LLC: $125 · SC max: $12,000
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Portland, ME
LLC: $175 · SC max: $6,000
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Portland, OR
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Providence, RI
LLC: $150 · SC max: $2,500
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Provo, UT
LLC: $54 · SC max: $11,000
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Raleigh, NC
LLC: $125 · SC max: $10,000
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Rapid City, SD
LLC: $150 · SC max: $12,000
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Reno, NV
LLC: $425 · SC max: $10,000
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Richmond, VA
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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Rockville, MD
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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Saint Louis, MO
LLC: $50 · SC max: $5,000
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Saint Paul, MN
LLC: $155 · SC max: $15,000
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Salem, OR
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Salt Lake City, UT
LLC: $54 · SC max: $11,000
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San Antonio, TX
LLC: $300 · SC max: $20,000
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San Diego, CA
LLC: $70 · SC max: $12,500
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San Francisco, CA
LLC: $70 · SC max: $12,500
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Santa Fe, NM
LLC: $50 · SC max: $10,000
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Savannah, GA
LLC: $100 · SC max: $15,000
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Seattle, WA
LLC: $200 · SC max: $10,000
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Sioux Falls, SD
LLC: $150 · SC max: $12,000
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Spokane, WA
LLC: $200 · SC max: $10,000
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Tampa, FL
LLC: $125 · SC max: $8,000
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Tucson, AZ
LLC: $50 · SC max: $3,500
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Tulsa, OK
LLC: $100 · SC max: $10,000
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Virginia Beach, VA
LLC: $100 · SC max: $5,000
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Wichita, KS
LLC: $160 · SC max: $4,000
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Wilmington, DE
LLC: $90 · SC max: $25,000
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Worcester, MA
LLC: $500 · SC max: $7,000
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Cities by State
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
Do legal filing fees differ between cities in the same state?
For most legal fees, no — state filing fees apply uniformly across all cities in a state. The LLC formation fee, small claims court limit, and notary fee caps are set at the state level. However, divorce filing fees can vary by county within a state (for example, California counties each set their own surcharges on top of the base state fee). Use the city guides above to see the exact fees applicable to your county.
How do I find the small claims court for my city?
Small claims court is typically located in the county courthouse serving your area. Search "[your city] small claims court" or visit your state's official court website and use the court locator tool. The specific division may be called Justice Court, District Court, Municipal Court, or Superior Court depending on the state. Call ahead to confirm current hours and filing procedures before visiting.
Is the LLC filing fee the same in every city in a state?
Yes — the LLC filing fee is a statewide fee paid to the Secretary of State, the same regardless of which city your business is located in. A Texas LLC costs $300 to file whether your business is in Austin, Houston, or Dallas. City or county-level business licenses are a separate cost and vary significantly by location.
What is the cheapest city to file for divorce?
The cheapest states to file for divorce are Wyoming ($70), Arkansas ($165), and Mississippi ($52). Within those states, the fee is the same statewide. California is expensive ($435 base plus county surcharges). The "cheapest city" is really the cheapest state — you must meet residency requirements before you can choose where to file.
How often are city legal fee guides updated?
All legal fee guides on this site are reviewed and updated at least annually, with major updates in early 2026 to reflect any state legislative changes. Official state fee schedules are the primary source — each guide links directly to the state's official court or Secretary of State website. If you notice a discrepancy, contact us at contact@legalcostcalculator.org.