§2.06 Fees

A plaintiff (or a countersuing defendant) is charged a filing fee of [CCP §116.230(b)–(c)]:

• $30 if the amount demanded is $1500 or less,
• $50 if the amount demanded is greater than $1500 and less than or equal to $5000,
• $75 if the amount demanded is greater than $5000 and less than or equal to $7500, or
• $100 if the party is a “frequent filer” who has filed more than 12 claims in California within the previous 12 months.

The claim forms include a declaration regarding how many claims the party has filed within the last 12 months. [See CCP §116.230(e).] A sliding scale of fees apply to amendments that increase the amount of demand. [CCP §116.230(d).]

The plaintiff is also charged a $10 fee for each defendant to whom the court clerk mails a copy of the claim under CCP §116.340. [CCP §116.232; see §§2.08 et seq.] A party who cannot afford a filing fee may apply for a waiver using form 982(a)(17). [See GC §68511.3.]