New York Legal Costs (2026)
Complete breakdown of common legal fees in New York — from forming a business to filing in court. All data sourced from official New York government websites.
How New York ranks vs all 50 states
Understanding legal costs in New York before you file saves money and prevents surprises at the courthouse. Forming an LLC costs $200 in state filing fees , with a $9 annual report due each year after. If you need to sue someone in small claims court, you can recover up to $10,000 — and filing costs between $15 and $20. Divorce filing in New York starts at $335, not counting attorney fees or service costs. All figures below are sourced directly from official New York government and court websites and updated for 2026.
LLC Formation Costs in New York
Full details →Forming an LLC in New York requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and paying the $200 state fee. New York also requires new LLCs to publish a notice in a local newspaper, which adds roughly $200 to first-year costs. After formation, New York LLCs must file an annual report and pay $9 each year to stay in good standing. Your estimated first-year total including filing, publication, and franchise tax is $425+.
New York's publication requirement forces new LLCs to publish in two newspapers for 6 weeks — costing $1,000–$2,000 in NYC, or $40–$150 upstate.
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Small Claims Court in New York
Full details →New York's small claims court — the Small Claims Court — handles disputes up to $10,000 without requiring an attorney. Filing costs between $15 and $20 depending on the claim amount. You must file within the statute of limitations: 6 years for written contracts and 6 years for oral agreements. Send a demand letter before filing — it costs nothing and often resolves the dispute without a court date.
New York has surprisingly low filing fees — among the cheapest in the US at $15–$20.
Divorce Filing Costs in New York
Full details →Filing for an uncontested divorce in New York starts at $335 in court filing fees. Serving your spouse through the sheriff's office costs an additional $60. These are court fees only — attorney costs, if applicable, are separate and vary widely by case complexity.
New York uses a step-based fee structure (index number, Request for Judicial Intervention, etc.). This tool shows a typical total for a straightforward case.
Notary Fees in New York
Full details →New York caps notary fees by law. The maximum fee for an acknowledgment is $2 per signature. Jurat notarizations (sworn statements) cost up to $2. Remote online notarization (RON) is permitted in New York and costs up to $25 per act. For documents requiring multiple signatures or notarial acts, fees multiply per signature — always confirm the total before your appointment.
$2 per notarization in-person; $25 for RON. Travel fees must be agreed in advance.
Common Legal Cost Scenarios in New York
Real-world combinations of legal fees you may face — based on official New York filing costs.
How New York Compares to Neighboring States
| State | LLC Filing | Divorce Fee | SC Limit | Notary Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York ◀ | $200 | $335 | $10,000 | $2 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $350 | $5,000 | $5 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $200 | $7,000 | No cap |
| New Jersey | $125 | $300 | $5,000 | $2.5 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $201 | $12,000 | $5 |
All fees from official state government sources. Compare all 50 states →
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