Legal Costs in Memphis, TN (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Memphis — all sourced from official Tennessee state records.
Memphis is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Tennessee state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $300 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $25,000 in the General Sessions Court. Divorce filing fees in Tennessee start at $184. All figures on this page are verified from official Tennessee government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Memphis, TN
To form an LLC with a Memphis address, you file with the Tennessee Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $300. Standard processing takes 5 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $300.
0| State filing fee | $300 |
| Annual report fee | $300 |
| Standard processing | 5 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | Not required |
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Small Claims Court in Memphis
Small claims cases in Memphis are heard at the General Sessions Court in Shelby County. The maximum you can sue for is $25,000. Filing fees range from $75–$170 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | General Sessions Court |
| Filing location | Shelby County |
| Maximum claim limit | $25,000 |
| Filing fee | $75–$170 |
| Written contract SOL | 6 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 6 years |
Where to File in Memphis
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 Memphis
Divorce petitions in Memphis are filed at the Shelby County courthouse. The Shelby County court divorce filing fee is $307 (or $382 with minor children). Sheriff service costs $50. Tennessee requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a parenting class.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Shelby County. See full Shelby County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Shelby County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $307 (Shelby County) |
| Fee with minor children | $382 |
| Sheriff service fee | $50 |
| Children surcharge | $25 |
| Parenting class | Required (if children) |
| Certified copy fee | $10 |
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Find a Notary in Memphis, TN
Tennessee has no state-set notary fee cap — notaries in Memphis set their own rates (typically $10–$25 per signature). Common places to find a notary in Memphis: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
Tennessee 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 Memphis notary in person.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | No state cap |
| Jurat fee cap | No state cap |
| RON (remote online) | $25 |
| State fee law | No — market rate |
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