2026 Guide Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee County

Legal Costs in Milwaukee, WI (2026)

Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Milwaukee — all sourced from official Wisconsin state records.

$130

LLC filing fee

$184

Divorce fee

$10,000

Small claims max

Notary fee cap

LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team Data sourced from official government websites · Last reviewed: May 2026

Milwaukee is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the Wisconsin state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $130 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 Wisconsin start at $184. All figures on this page are verified from official Wisconsin government sources and updated for 2026.

Form an LLC in Milwaukee, WI

To form an LLC with a Milwaukee address, you file with the Wisconsin Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $130. Standard processing takes 5 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $25.

State filing fee	$130
Annual report fee	$25
Standard processing	5 business days
Expedited processing	1
Publication cost	Not required

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Small Claims Court in Milwaukee

Small claims cases in Milwaukee are heard at the Small Claims Court in Milwaukee County. The maximum you can sue for is $10,000. Filing fees range from $50–$95 depending on the claim amount.

Court name	Small Claims Court
Filing location	Milwaukee County
Maximum claim limit	$10,000
Filing fee	$50–$95
Written contract SOL	6 years
Oral contract SOL	6 years

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Where to File in Milwaukee

Milwaukee County Courthouse – Small Claims Division

Address

901 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Phone

(414) 278-4120

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Official Website

www.wicourts.gov

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 Milwaukee

Divorce petitions in Milwaukee are filed at the Milwaukee County courthouse. The Wisconsin state filing fee is $184. Sheriff service costs $50.

Filing location	Milwaukee County Courthouse
Filing fee	$184 (Wisconsin state)
Sheriff service fee	$50
Children surcharge	None
Parenting class	Not required
Certified copy fee	$10

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Find a Notary in Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin caps notary fees at $5 per notarial act ($5 for remote online notarization). Common places to find a notary in Milwaukee: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.

Wisconsin also allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) — get documents notarized via video call from anywhere, capped at $5. Useful if you can't travel to a Milwaukee notary in person.

Acknowledgment fee cap	$5
Jurat fee cap	$5
RON (remote online)	$5
State fee law	Yes — fee cap enforced

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Milwaukee, WI?

Forming an LLC in Milwaukee costs $130 for the Wisconsin state filing fee. The annual report fee is $25/year. This is a statewide fee — the same amount regardless of which city you're in. Use a registered agent service for privacy and compliance.

Where is the small claims court in Milwaukee?

Small claims cases in Milwaukee are filed in the Small Claims Court serving Milwaukee County. Contact the Milwaukee County courthouse to confirm the address, hours, and accepted payment methods before you go. The maximum claim limit is $10,000 and the filing fee is $50–$95.

How much does a notary cost in Milwaukee?

In Milwaukee, notary fees are capped at $5 per notarial act. Typical in-person fees at UPS Store or FedEx are $10–$15 per signature. Many banks offer free notary service to account holders. For RON (remote online notarization), the cap is $5.

How do I file for divorce in Milwaukee?

To file for divorce in Milwaukee, file your petition at the Milwaukee County courthouse. The Wisconsin base divorce filing fee is $184. You must meet Wisconsin's residency requirement (typically 6+ months in the state). For uncontested divorces, online services can prepare all your paperwork.

What is the small claims limit in Milwaukee?

The small claims limit in Milwaukee is $10,000 — the maximum you can sue for in Small Claims Court in Wisconsin. This limit applies throughout the state regardless of city. Filing fees are $50–$95. If your claim exceeds the limit, you can reduce it to qualify for small claims or file in a higher civil court.

Where do I file small claims in Milwaukee County?

Small claims cases in Milwaukee County are filed at the local courthouse in Milwaukee County. The Wisconsin small claims court (Small Claims Court) handles all monetary disputes up to $10,000. Filing fees are $50–$95. Contact the Milwaukee County court clerk for the current address, hours, and filing procedures.