Court Filing Fees in the Philippines: How Much Does a Case Cost?

Updated to reflect the framework of Rule 141 of the Rules of Court and common court practices. Exact peso amounts change from time to time through Supreme Court administrative issuances; always verify the latest schedule at the time of filing.

1) Why filing fees matter

Filing fees are not just a cashier’s formality. They determine:

Jurisdiction over the subject matter of the claim (for money claims): the amount you state (and pay fees on) can determine whether your case is treated as one for a specific sum and, in some circumstances, affect the court’s authority to act.
Perfection of appeals: payment of the correct docket and other lawful fees within the reglementary period is generally mandatory to perfect an appeal.
Progress of the case: sheriffs won’t serve processes and clerks won’t release writs unless the corresponding fees or deposits are paid.

2) The legal basis

Rule 141 (Legal Fees), Rules of Court, as periodically amended by the Supreme Court (through Administrative Matters, or “A.M.” issuances), sets the schedule of legal fees and identifies what the courts charge for.
Various special laws add components, e.g., the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), the Special Allowance for the Judiciary (SAJ), the Mediation Fund for court-annexed mediation (CAM) and judicial dispute resolution (JDR), and special rules for in forma pauperis litigants (fee waivers).
Court-specific rules (Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Supreme Court) prescribe their own docket fees for appeals and special civil actions.

3) Which courts collect what

First Level Courts (Metropolitan/Municipal Trial Courts)

Typical fees for:

Civil complaints (sum of money, ejectment, damages): basic docket fee + additional fee scaled to the amount of the claim (including damages, interests, attorney’s fees you specifically pray for) + JDF/SAJ components + sheriff’s deposit for service of summons.
Small Claims: simplified, fixed-fee brackets per claim amount; additional fees for extra defendants and for service by summons; no lawyers appear (except if the party is a lawyer).
Criminal cases: the State files the case; no filing fee for the criminal aspect. If the private offended party claims civil damages in the criminal case, fees may be assessed based on the amount claimed (subject to the Rules and jurisprudence).

Regional Trial Courts

Ordinary civil actions: similar structure as MTC but with higher brackets; complex cases (e.g., specific performance with damages) are assessed on both the principal relief and the liquidated claims.
Special civil actions (e.g., certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, interpleader, replevin): fixed fees per action + sheriff’s deposit; in replevin/attachment, bond premiums (paid to a bonding company) are separate from court fees.
Family courts (RTCs specially designated): petitions (annulment, custody, adoption, etc.) have fixed fees; some add-ons (publication, guardian ad litem fees) are out-of-pocket costs, not legal fees.

Court of Appeals (CA)

Appeals (ordinary appeal or petition for review): docket fees + other lawful fees upon filing the notice of appeal or the petition, within the deadline. Additional fees for multiple parties, annexes, copies for service, and mailing.
Special civil actions (Rule 65, etc.): fixed docket fees + LRF/JDF/SAJ components.

Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)

Tax cases (Division or En Banc): docket fees typically scale with the amount of tax/penalties at stake; expect add-ons for motions, subpoenas, and transcripts.

Sandiganbayan & Supreme Court

Both impose fixed docket fees for petitions and appeals, plus other lawful fees (e.g., for certified copies, transcripts, mailing, and bar coding/e-filing when applicable).

4) What usually makes up “the cost of filing”

Below is a components checklist you can use when budgeting. (Labels may vary slightly per court; amounts are periodically adjusted.)

Basic docket/filing fee The core fee to open the case or initiate an appeal.
- Money claims: this increases in brackets based on the total monetary relief pleaded (principal + damages + attorney’s fees if specified).
- Non-monetary claims: fixed or bracketed fees.
JDF/SAJ/other statutory add-ons Small percentages or fixed amounts earmarked by law; automatically computed by the clerk.
Legal Research Fund (LRF) A small add-on per filing.
Mediation fees (CAM/JDR) Collected when the case is referred to mediation or JDR. Some case types are exempt (e.g., criminal actions where civil liability is not involved, petitions for habeas corpus, certain special proceedings), but many civil cases will be assessed.
Sheriff’s deposit / process server fund An initial deposit to cover transport and service expenses for summons, writs, and other court processes. Additional deposits may be required as the case progresses.
Copying, mailing, and notarization
- Per-page photocopy or certification fees for pleadings and exhibits required for multiple sets.
- Registered mail/courier if you file or serve by mail.
- Notarial fees (private expense).
Publication costs (if required) Some actions (e.g., change of name, annulment of marriage, adoption, extra-judicial settlement notice, land registration matters) require newspaper publication or Official Gazette publication—these are not court fees but can be substantial.
Transcript & stenographic fees Paid per page to court stenographers for transcripts (TSNs) if you request them.
Bonds & premiums For provisional remedies (attachment, replevin, injunction, receivership), you typically post bonds through a bonding company; the premium is a private cost, not a court fee.
E-payment convenience fees If you use the judiciary’s e-payment portals (where available), expect small convenience/service charges.

5) Special topics and frequent pitfalls

A. How do courts compute fees for damages?

Courts generally look at what you expressly claim in the prayer (principal claim + damages + attorney’s fees if quantifiable).
If you leave damages as “to be proven during trial,” clerks may assess on the principal claim only and charge additional fees later when you amend to specify an amount or when judgment awards a specific sum.

B. Counterclaims, cross-claims, third-party complaints

Treated as independent claims for purposes of fees. The party asserting them pays the corresponding filing fees based on the amount and nature of the relief.

C. Multiple parties and causes of action

Fees may increase for additional parties and for multiple causes joined in one complaint, depending on the schedule.

D. Late or short payment

Underpayment or late payment can derail your case or appeal. Courts can dismiss or refuse docketing until the deficiency is settled. For appeals, pay within the reglementary period—belated payment can be fatal absent compelling justification.

E. Criminal cases and the civil aspect

The criminal case itself is prosecuted by the State without filing fees.
If the civil action for damages is deemed instituted with the criminal action and you quantify your claim, some courts assess fees. If you waive the civil action or reserve your right to file it separately, you’ll pay the fees when you later file the separate civil action.

F. Small Claims Court

Designed to be quick and inexpensive for low-value money claims. Fixed, bracketed fees (not ad valorem), no mediation fees, and no lawyers appearing as counsel (to keep costs down). Service and execution expenses still apply.

G. Special Proceedings (estate, guardianship, adoption, correction of entries)

Usually fixed fees at filing plus publication and mailing costs. In estate proceedings, later stages (e.g., accountings, sales of property) can trigger additional fees for motions, commissions, and certified copies.

H. Provisional remedies

Applications for injunction, attachment, replevin, receivership, etc., have separate filing fees, and you’ll shoulder bond premiums and potential sheriff’s deposits for implementation.

I. Appeals

Pay docket and other lawful fees upon filing the notice of appeal (RTC to CA) or petition (to CA, CTA, Sandiganbayan, or SC). Missing the payment window generally prevents perfection of appeal.

J. Electronic filing and payment

Where enabled, you can e-pay. Keep electronic proof of payment (reference numbers, receipts). Attach them to your pleading and provide paper copies as required by local practice.

6) Who can be exempted or pay reduced fees?

A. Indigent litigants (in forma pauperis)

You may ask to litigate as an indigent by verified motion and affidavit of indigency (often with barangay/DSWD or BIR certifications).
If granted, legal fees are waived (usually excluding mediation fees, which some courts still assess) and the amount may become a lien on any favorable judgment.

B. Government parties

The Republic, its agencies/instrumentalities, and some government-owned or -controlled corporations are generally exempt from paying docket fees, except when statutes or rules provide otherwise (and still subject to costs that may be charged at the end).

C. PAO clients

Litigants represented by the Public Attorney’s Office may be exempt from certain fees under the Rules and PAO’s charter, subject to proof of indigency.

Practice tip: Fee waiver is not automatic. File the motion/affidavit with supporting documents together with (or ahead of) your initiatory pleading. If the court denies indigency, you’ll be directed to pay within a fixed time; non-payment risks dismissal.

7) Out-of-pocket costs beyond court fees

Lawyer’s professional fees (acceptance, appearance, success fees).
Expert witness fees, exhibit preparation, travel, per diem.
Service by publication in newspapers or the Official Gazette, often required in name changes, annulment, adoption, and land cases.
Bond premiums for provisional remedies or to stay execution pending appeal.
Private courier for rush filings or out-of-town service.
Record production (medical records, bank certifications, corporate documents, SEC/land registry fees).

8) How to budget: a practical, case-type checklist

Before filing, list these line items and ask the clerk of court for the current figures:

Docket/filing fee (base + ad valorem if a money claim).
Add-ons (JDF/SAJ/LRF or their current equivalents).
Mediation fee (if your case type is mediatable).
Sheriff’s/process server initial deposit (ask how many defendants and where they are located).
Annexing & copying (estimate pages × sets required by the rules/local practice).
Mailing/courier (registered mail or courier per set).
Publication (if your action requires it) — get quotes from eligible newspapers.
Transcripts (budget if you anticipate lengthy trials).
Provisional remedy fees + bond premiums (if you will apply for one).
Appeal reserve (docket fees at the next court level if appeal is likely).
E-payment convenience charges (if paying online).

9) Illustrative (hypothetical) cost scenarios

Warning: The peso figures below are illustrative only to show structure, not current rates.

A. Small Claims in the MTC (₱100,000 claim, 1 defendant)

Filing/docket fee: fixed bracket
LRF/JDF/SAJ add-ons: small fixed amounts
Sheriff’s deposit: minimal starter amount
Mailing/copies: per page × required sets
No mediation fee, no lawyer’s fee (unless you choose to consult counsel off-record)

Main drivers: the fixed bracket fee and service costs.

B. Sum of Money in the RTC (₱1,000,000 principal + quantified damages)

Filing/docket fee: ad valorem on principal + quantified damages/attorney’s fees
Add-ons: percent-based or fixed
Sheriff’s deposit: higher (multiple defendants, out-of-town service)
Mediation fee: fixed when referred
Possible bond premium if you seek provisional remedies

Main drivers: ad valorem filing fee, mediation fee, sheriff’s expenses, and any bond.

C. Petition for Annulment of Marriage (RTC, Family Court)

Filing/docket fee: fixed for special proceedings
Add-ons: fixed
Publication: substantial if ordered
Mediation: often exempt (case-dependent)
Sheriff’s deposit and mailing: standard

Main drivers: publication costs and copies.

D. Appeal to the Court of Appeals (from RTC judgment)

Docket & other lawful fees: fixed
Mailing/copies: multiple sets for the CA and adverse parties
Transcripts/exhibits: if you need certified copies
Sheriff/process fees: rare at the appellate level, but you may incur copying & binding costs

Main drivers: docket fee and document reproduction/postage.

10) Practical tips to avoid surprises

Itemize early. Draft your prayer carefully; quantify monetary relief you want the court to award so the clerk can assess once.
Ask the clerk of court for the latest schedule before lining up at the cashier. Bring extra for sheriff deposits.
Keep receipts and attach proof of payment to your pleadings.
Track mediation referrals; mediation fees are usually collected upon referral and must be paid promptly.
Plan for service complications (defendants who moved residences, out-of-town service, or service by publication).
If indigent, prepare your affidavit & certifications and file them with your initiatory pleading.
On appeal, pay all fees within the deadline. No ifs, no buts.
For provisional remedies, shop bond rates early. Premiums vary among bonding companies.

11) Bottom line: “How much does a case cost?”

There’s no one-size figure. The type of action, amount claimed, number/location of parties, need for publication, use of provisional remedies, and appeal strategy all drive the total. As a rule of thumb:

Small, straightforward cases (e.g., small claims, simple ejectment): mostly fixed fees + modest service costs.
Money claims scale with the amount demanded.
Family and land cases often involve publication and more paperwork, raising out-of-pocket costs.
Appeals add a new round of docket and copy/mailing fees.
Indigency and government participation can significantly reduce or eliminate legal fees, though not private expenses (publication, bonds, etc.).

12) What to do next

Identify your case type and whether your claim is monetary or non-monetary.
Quantify monetary relief in your prayer.
Visit or call the clerk of court of the station where you’ll file and ask for the current Rule 141 schedule and mediation fees.
Prepare a line-item budget using the checklist above and add a contingency for sheriff’s expenses and publication.
If applicable, prepare an indigency motion with supporting certifications.

This article outlines the governing structure, typical components, and budgeting method for Philippine court filing fees. Because exact rates are periodically updated, always consult the latest Rule 141 fee schedule and the court clerk before filing.