Louisiana Small Claims Court Filing Fees (2026)
Find your parish's fee
Each Louisiana court sets its own fee, so the parish matters. Pick yours to see the court and what's included.
Crowley City Court (Small Claims Division)
Small claims suit (up to $5,000) deposit $110 for one defendant; $65 for each additional defendant. Crowley City Court's territory is the city of Crowley and Ward 6 only; other Acadia Parish wards use their own justice of the peace or city courts, which set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedAllen Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedAscension Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedAssumption Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedAvoyelles Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedBeauregard Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedBienville Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedBossier City Court (Small Claims Division)
$150 to file a Small Claims petition against one defendant, plus $20 for each additional defendant and a service fee; deposit schedule effective 2026-01-01. Bossier City Court's small claims division; other Bossier Parish justice of the peace courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedShreveport City Court (Small Claims Division)
$91 to file a Small Claims petition, plus $50 for each defendant over one; extra service charges apply for defendants outside the City of Shreveport. Shreveport City Court's small claims division; other Caddo Parish justice of the peace courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedMultiple courts (Lake Charles City Court, Sulphur City Court, Justice of the Peace courts)
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedCaldwell Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedCameron Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedCatahoula Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk Suit)
Clerk Suit advanced deposit (one defendant) $300.00; each additional defendant $75.00. PDF undated (file version parameter points to September 2024). This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedClaiborne Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedConcordia Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedDe Soto Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedBaton Rouge City Court (Small Claims Division)
$35 per additional defendant. Service extra (City Constable $30 in-city limits; EBRPSO for outside city, varies by zip).
Court, contact and what's includedEast Carroll Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk's Suit)
Clerk's Suit $300.00. Page is undated; the fee list does not say whether it includes service. This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedEast Feliciana Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedEvangeline Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedFranklin Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk's Suit)
Clerk's Suit, one defendant $350.00; each additional service $100.00. Civil fee list is undated. This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedGrant Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedNew Iberia City Court (Small Claims Division)
$125 to file a Small Claims suit against a single defendant served inside New Iberia city limits ($150 if served outside the city limits); $35 more per additional defendant inside the city ($70 outside). Fee schedule effective 2022-04-01. New Iberia City Court's small claims division; other Iberia Parish justice of the peace courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedIberville Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedJackson Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedJefferson Davis Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedFirst and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish (small claims)
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedCity Court of Lafayette, Louisiana (Small Claims Division)
$35 per additional defendant. If service is through a sheriff, additional funds are required. Small Claims Division jurisdiction (La. R.S. 13:5200-5212) covers claims where the defendant resides within the court's geographical limits, or accident claims occurring within its territorial jurisdiction.
Court, contact and what's includedLafourche Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedLaSalle Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedLincoln Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedLivingston Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedMadison Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedMorehouse Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedNatchitoches Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk Book Suit, small claims)
Clerk book suit (small claims, claim up to $5,000): filing fees $350 total; plaintiff is billed if costs exceed the deposit. Page is undated. This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedFirst City Court / Second City Court of New Orleans (small claims). The fee depends on which court covers the defendant's address.
Two city courts: Second City Court covers Algiers (west bank, ZIP 70114/70131, per its own small-claims instructions); First City Court covers the rest of Orleans Parish. Constable service $20 in-parish extra at either court.
Court, contact and what's includedMultiple courts (Monroe City Court, West Monroe City Court, Justice of the Peace courts)
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedPlaquemines Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedPointe Coupee Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedAlexandria City Court (Small Claims Division)
Small Claims filing $54; with service by Alexandria $75.50, by Pineville $72, out-of-town service $154 (fee page revised March 2026). Alexandria City Court's small claims division; Pineville City Court and other Rapides Parish courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedRed River Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedRichland Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSabine Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk's Docket Suit)
Clerk's Docket Suit advance deposit $350.00 (one defendant); each additional defendant $100.00. Page is undated. This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. Bernard Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. Charles Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk's Docket Suit, small claims)
Clerk's Docket Suits (Small Claims) $350.00; summons/subpoenas $80 each extra. Page is undated. This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. Helena Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. James Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. John the Baptist Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. Landry Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. Martin Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedSt. Mary Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedCity Court of East St. Tammany (Slidell) Small Claims
One defendant $90 ($150 for two, $210 for three, $60 for each additional); optional Slidell Marshal service adds $15 per defendant in the 8th and 9th Wards, Sheriff service adds $45 for one defendant. City Court of East St. Tammany (Slidell); Covington, Mandeville and ward justice of the peace courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedHammond City Court (Small Claims, 7th Ward)
$126.50 for a Small Claims suit against one defendant in the 7th Ward, including the 7th Ward Marshal's service fee; new fees effective July 1, 2026. Additional services or service outside the 7th Ward: call for the price. Hammond City Court's small claims division; other Tangipahoa Parish courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedTensas Parish Clerk of Court (Clerk's Suit)
Clerk's Suit, one defendant $350.00; each additional service $100.00. Civil fee list is undated. This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedCity Court of Houma (Small Claims Division)
New suit with one defendant $150; $75 for each additional defendant (City Court of Houma small claims fee schedule). Other Terrebonne Parish justice of the peace courts set their own costs.
Court, contact and what's includedUnion Parish Clerk of Court (Clerks Docket Suit)
Clerks Docket Suits: initial filing with one defendant $425; each additional defendant $125. Civil fee schedule effective July 20, 2023 (an older 2018 sheet showed $250). This is the district-court clerk's suit (clerk's docket) route for claims up to $5,000; justice of the peace and city courts in the parish set their own, usually lower, fees.
Court, contact and what's includedVermilion Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedVernon Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedWashington Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedWebster Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedWest Baton Rouge Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedWest Carroll Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedWest Feliciana Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedWinn Parish courts
We haven't verified this parish's fee from an official source yet. Call the clerk before you go. Verified Louisiana courts charge between $54 and $425.
Court, contact and what's includedFees across Louisiana
Lowest small claims filing fee in each parish. Darker costs more.
Largest parishes
| Parish | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| East Baton RougeBaton Rouge City Court | $86.50 |
| JeffersonFirst and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish | Not verified |
| Orleans2 courts | $115.50–$119.50 |
| St. TammanyCity Court of East St. Tammany Small Claims | $90 |
| LafayetteCity Court of Lafayette, Louisiana | $75 |
| CaddoShreveport City Court | $91 |
| CalcasieuMultiple courts | Not verified |
| OuachitaMultiple courts | Not verified |
| Livingston | Not verified |
Before you file
Louisiana property damage claims have only a 1-year statute of limitations — act quickly.
Many courts charge extra for each added defendant or for certified-mail service. Your parish's result above lists what applies.
If you can't afford the fee, ask the clerk how to file without paying up front. The court decides. Louisiana fee waiver guide
Estimate your fee by claim amount
Small Claims Filing Fee Calculator
Enter your state and claim amount to see the official court filing fee.
Fees in this state depend on the county where you file.
Each court in this county sets its own small claims fee.
Louisiana small claims fees by parish
In Louisiana the fee depends on where you file. 19 of 64 parishes show a fee verified on an official page; the rest show the verified range and the clerk to contact.
- Acadia Parish $110
- Allen Parish Not yet verified
- Ascension Parish Not yet verified
- Assumption Parish Not yet verified
- Avoyelles Parish Not yet verified
- Beauregard Parish Not yet verified
- Bienville Parish Not yet verified
- Bossier Parish $150
- Caddo Parish $91
- Calcasieu Parish Not yet verified
- Caldwell Parish Not yet verified
- Cameron Parish Not yet verified
- Catahoula Parish $300
- Claiborne Parish Not yet verified
- Concordia Parish Not yet verified
- De Soto Parish Not yet verified
- East Baton Rouge Parish $86.50
- East Carroll Parish $300
- East Feliciana Parish Not yet verified
- Evangeline Parish Not yet verified
- Franklin Parish $350
- Grant Parish Not yet verified
- Iberia Parish $125
- Iberville Parish Not yet verified
- Jackson Parish Not yet verified
- Jefferson Parish Not yet verified
- Jefferson Davis Parish Not yet verified
- Lafayette Parish $75
- Lafourche Parish Not yet verified
- LaSalle Parish Not yet verified
- Lincoln Parish Not yet verified
- Livingston Parish Not yet verified
- Madison Parish Not yet verified
- Morehouse Parish Not yet verified
- Natchitoches Parish $350
- Orleans Parish $115.50 to $119.50
- Ouachita Parish Not yet verified
- Plaquemines Parish Not yet verified
- Pointe Coupee Parish Not yet verified
- Rapides Parish $54
- Red River Parish Not yet verified
- Richland Parish Not yet verified
- Sabine Parish $350
- St. Bernard Parish Not yet verified
- St. Charles Parish $350
- St. Helena Parish Not yet verified
- St. James Parish Not yet verified
- St. John the Baptist Parish Not yet verified
- St. Landry Parish Not yet verified
- St. Martin Parish Not yet verified
- St. Mary Parish Not yet verified
- St. Tammany Parish $90
- Tangipahoa Parish $126.50
- Tensas Parish $350
- Terrebonne Parish $150
- Union Parish $425
- Vermilion Parish Not yet verified
- Vernon Parish Not yet verified
- Washington Parish Not yet verified
- Webster Parish Not yet verified
- West Baton Rouge Parish Not yet verified
- West Carroll Parish Not yet verified
- West Feliciana Parish Not yet verified
- Winn Parish Not yet verified
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Louisiana Small Claims Filing Fees Explained
To file a small claims case in the City Court / Justice of the Peace, you must pay a filing fee at the time you submit your paperwork. In Louisiana, filing fees are $54–$425 depending on the amount of your claim.
Tip
Louisiana property damage claims have only a 1-year statute of limitations — act quickly.You can recover the filing fee
If you win your case, ask the judge to add the filing fee to your judgment. The defendant would then owe you the original claim plus court costs.Fee waiver available
Can't afford the fee? Ask the court clerk for an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) application. Louisiana courts generally waive fees for low-income filers — bring proof of income.Get a court date reminder
Enter your hearing date — we'll send a preparation checklist 7 days out, and a final reminder the night before. Free.
Frequently Asked Questions: Louisiana
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Also See for Louisiana
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