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Alabama small claims cost guide
Claim limit $6,000, filed in the District Court. Filing fee: Varies by county. Marshall Co. tiers: $64 (to $1,500) · $138 (to $3,000) · $227 (to $6,000); Barbour Co. runs $95–$258 for the same bands.
| Alabama at a glance | Figure |
|---|---|
| Maximum claim | $6,000 |
| Court | District Court |
| Filing fee | Varies by county. Marshall Co. tiers: $64 (to $1,500) · $138 (to $3,000) · $227 (to $6,000); Barbour Co. runs $95–$258 for the same bands |
| Service of process | Sheriff service $25 in Marshall Co.; sheriff fees vary by county ($25–$75 typical) |
| Estimated total to file | $89–$333 |
Good to know in Alabama
Fees are tiered by claim amount and set county by county — the same case can cost $64 in one county and $258 in another. No jury trial; appeal is to Circuit Court.
Use the homepage calculator to price a specific claim amount in Alabama, and the step-by-step filing guide for the general process — the sequence (file, serve, answer, hearing, judgment, enforcement) is the same in every state even though the fees and court names differ.
Before you file anywhere, check the claim limit and filing fee for your state — a claim $1 over the limit can be dismissed or bounced to regular civil court.
Open the cost calculatorSources: Alabama Courts — Marshall County Small Claims · Jefferson County Circuit Clerk — Filing Fees · Nolo — State Small Claims Court Dollar Limits. Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court clerk.
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