Legal Costs in Detroit, MI (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Detroit — all sourced from official Michigan state records.
Detroit is a city in Wayne County, Michigan. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Michigan state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $50 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $6,500 in the Small Claims Division. Divorce filing fees in Michigan start at $175. All figures on this page are verified from official Michigan government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Detroit, MI
To form an LLC with a Detroit address, you file with the Michigan Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $50. Standard processing takes 5 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $25.
0| State filing fee | $50 |
| Annual report fee | $25 |
| Standard processing | 5 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in Detroit
Small claims cases in Detroit are heard at the Small Claims Division in Wayne County. The maximum you can sue for is $6,500. Filing fees range from $30–$70 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Small Claims Division |
| Filing location | Wayne County |
| Maximum claim limit | $6,500 |
| Filing fee | $30–$70 |
| Written contract SOL | 6 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 6 years |
Where to File in Detroit
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 Detroit
Divorce petitions in Detroit are filed at the Wayne County courthouse. The Wayne County court divorce filing fee is $175 (or $255 with minor children). Sheriff service costs $25. Michigan requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Wayne County. See full Wayne County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Wayne County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $175 (Wayne County) |
| Fee with minor children | $255 |
| Sheriff service fee | $25 |
| Children surcharge | $20 |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
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Find a Notary in Detroit, MI
Michigan caps notary fees at $10 per notarial act ($10 for remote online notarization). Common places to find a notary in Detroit: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
Michigan also allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) — get documents notarized via video call from anywhere, capped at $10. Useful if you can't travel to a Detroit notary in person.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $10 |
| Jurat fee cap | $10 |
| RON (remote online) | $10 |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
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