Legal Costs in Chicago, IL (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Chicago — all sourced from official Illinois state records.
Chicago is a city in Cook County, Illinois. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Illinois state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $150 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Court. Divorce filing fees in Illinois start at $289. All figures on this page are verified from official Illinois government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Chicago, IL
To form an LLC with a Chicago address, you file with the Illinois Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $150. Standard processing takes 10 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $75.
0| State filing fee | $150 |
| Annual report fee | $75 |
| Standard processing | 10 business days |
| Expedited processing | 24 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in Chicago
Small claims cases in Chicago are heard at the Small Claims Court in Cook County. The maximum you can sue for is $10,000. Filing fees range from $56–$254 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Small Claims Court |
| Filing location | Cook County |
| Maximum claim limit | $10,000 |
| Filing fee | $56–$254 |
| Written contract SOL | 5 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 5 years |
Where to File in Chicago
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
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Filing for Divorce in Chicago
Divorce petitions in Chicago are filed at the Cook County courthouse. The Cook County court divorce filing fee is $388. Sheriff service costs $60. Illinois requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Cook County. See full Cook County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Cook County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $388 (Cook County) |
| Sheriff service fee | $60 |
| Children surcharge | None |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
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Find a Notary in Chicago, IL
Illinois caps notary fees at $5 per notarial act ($25 for remote online notarization). Common places to find a notary in Chicago: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
Illinois also allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) — get documents notarized via video call from anywhere, capped at $25. Useful if you can't travel to a Chicago notary in person.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $5 |
| Jurat fee cap | $5 |
| RON (remote online) | $25 |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
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