PhilFees
Know what
it costs
before you file.
Instant fee estimates for Small Claims, MTC, RTC, and NLRC — no guesswork, no surprises at the Clerk of Court window.
Select your court below
1st Level Court
Small Claims Court
Money claims of ₱1,000,000 or below. No lawyers allowed. Usually resolved in one hearing — the fastest route to recovery.
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Indigent Fee Waiver Checker
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Fee BreakdownAwaiting Input
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Enter a claim amount above to compute
Filing Fee (JDF + LRF + Mediation Fund + VCF)—
Estimated Total—
Claim exceeds the ₱1,000,000 small claims limit. Switch to the MTC calculator.
You may qualify for a 100% indigent fee waiver — check the eligibility tool on the left.
If you win, all court fees are recoverable from the defendant as part of your judgment.
1st Level Court
MTC / MTCC / MCTC
Civil money claims of ₱1,000,001 to ₱2,000,000. Lawyers allowed. Covers collection suits, damages, and breach of contract.
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Fee BreakdownAwaiting Input
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Enter a claim amount above to compute
Docket Fee—
Legal Research Fund (1%)—
Victim Compensation Fund₱5.00
Estimated Total—
Claim exceeds ₱2,000,000. Switch to the RTC calculator.
Claims of ₱1,000,000 or below now qualify as Small Claims — switch to that calculator for a lower, flat filing fee.
Understating your claim amount to pay a lower fee is dangerous — filing fees are jurisdictional in Philippine courts. Confirm exact current brackets with the Clerk of Court before filing.
Regional Trial Court
RTC — Regular Civil Cases
Claims above ₱2,000,000. Handles complex civil cases, property disputes, and high-value money claims. Docket fee is capped at ₱50,000.
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Fee BreakdownAwaiting Input
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Enter a claim amount above to compute
Docket Fee (base ₱4,000 + percentage)—
Legal Research Fund (1%)—
Victim Compensation Fund₱5.00
Estimated Total—
RTC docket fees are capped at ₱50,000 regardless of claim size.
Labor Arbiter / NLRC
NLRC — Labor Cases
Illegal dismissal, unpaid wages, separation pay. File at the NLRC Regional Arbitration Branch (RAB) nearest your employer's principal office.
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Fee BreakdownAwaiting Input
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Enter a claim amount above to compute
Filing Fee—
Legal Research Fund—
Estimated Total—
Fees are estimates based on standard NLRC schedules. Always verify with your RAB before filing.
Related Guides
Filing Fees for Specific Case Types
Beyond the standard calculator above, PhilFees has dedicated cost breakdowns for common case types: Small Claims Court fees, annulment and declaration of nullity costs, prenuptial agreement drafting costs, and estate and settlement fees — each with its own estimator and full FAQ.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Philippine court filing fees calculated?
Filing fees follow Rule 141 of the Rules of Court. The docket fee is a tiered percentage of your claim amount. You then add a 1% Legal Research Fund (LRF) surcharge on the docket fee, plus a fixed ₱5 Victim Compensation Fund contribution. Optional items like mediation fees and sheriff's trust funds may also apply. Use the calculator above for your exact breakdown.
What is the difference between Small Claims, MTC, and RTC?
The court tier depends on your claim amount. Small Claims handles money claims up to ₱1,000,000 — no lawyers allowed, usually resolved in one hearing. The Municipal Trial Court (MTC) covers civil cases from ₱1,000,001 to ₱2,000,000. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) handles cases above ₱2,000,000 and complex matters like family law and land registration regardless of amount.
Can I get a fee waiver if I cannot afford to pay?
Yes. Under the Revised Rules on Indigent Litigants (A.M. No. 10-3-7-SC), you may be exempt from all legal fees if your monthly income doesn't exceed double the applicable minimum wage in your region and you do not own real property worth more than ₱300,000. The exact peso threshold varies by region and changes with each wage order, so confirm the current figure with your Clerk of Court. Bring an Affidavit of Indigency, Barangay Certification, and Assessor's Certificate to apply.
What is the Legal Research Fund (LRF) surcharge?
The LRF is a mandatory 1% surcharge on the docket fee, collected under Republic Act 3870. It funds the U.P. Law Center's legal research activities. It is automatically included in all court filing fee computations and cannot be waived independently of the docket fee.
Are NLRC filing fees the same as civil court fees?
No. NLRC (labor) filing fees are governed by a separate schedule under the NLRC Rules of Procedure. Fees are generally lower than civil court equivalents — cases involving reinstatement only or other non-monetary relief cost ₱500. Money claims are computed on a tiered scale up to ₱1,500 plus a fraction for large amounts. The 1% LRF still applies.
What documents do I need when filing a case in court?
Requirements vary by case type, but generally you will need: a verified complaint or petition (usually prepared by a lawyer), the filing fee payment, a certificate to file action from the Barangay (for cases covered by the Katarungang Pambarangay Law), and supporting documents like contracts, receipts, or affidavits. The Clerk of Court will provide a specific checklist for your case type.
Fee estimates are based on Rule 141 of the Rules of Court and NLRC Rules of Procedure as periodically amended by Supreme Court en banc resolutions and OCA circulars (most recently OCA Circular No. 267-2025) — rates last verified July 2026. Courts update schedules periodically — always verify with the Clerk of Court before filing. This tool does not constitute legal advice.