Before you calculate a fee, make sure you're even allowed to go straight to court. Under the Katarungang Pambarangay Law (R.A. 7160), most civil disputes between individuals who live in the same city or municipality must first pass through barangay conciliation. Skipping this step is grounds for dismissal — and the filing fee you already paid does not come back.
If conciliation fails, the barangay's Lupon Tagapamayapa issues a Certificate to File Action, which you attach to your complaint. You're exempt if the parties live in different cities/municipalities, a government agency or corporation is involved, real property elsewhere is at stake, or the matter is urgent.
Can't afford the fee?
Litigants whose income doesn't exceed double the applicable minimum wage in their region, with no real property worth more than ₱300,000, may qualify as an indigent litigant under A.M. No. 10-3-7-SC. The exact peso threshold varies by region and changes with each wage order — confirm the current figure with your Clerk of Court. File the fee-waiver application together with your complaint — approval means you pay nothing to file.
Fees that come after filing
The docket fee isn't necessarily the last cost. Budget for an optional mediation fee (₱1,000 for MTC/RTC cases) and a sheriff's trust fund deposit (₱1,000–₱2,000) if you later need to enforce a winning judgment.
FAQ
Filing Fee Questions
How much does it cost to file a court case in the Philippines?
It depends on court and claim amount. Small Claims: ₱1,015–₱2,530. MTC: starts ₱3,035. RTC: starts ₱4,040, capped ₱50,505. NLRC: ₱505 for non-monetary claims, tiered for money claims. All include the 1% LRF surcharge and ₱5 Victim Compensation Fund. Use the PhilFees calculator for your exact amount.
What is a docket fee?
The docket fee is the main component of the filing fee — what you pay to have your case officially registered in court. It is calculated as a tiered percentage of your claim amount under Rule 141 of the Rules of Court. Total = docket fee + 1% LRF + ₱5 VCF.
Is the filing fee the same in all Philippine courts?
No. Each court level has its own fee schedule. Small Claims uses fixed tiered rates. MTC and RTC use percentage formulas (RTC capped at ₱50,000). NLRC has a completely separate schedule. Family courts, Shari'a courts, and administrative tribunals have their own rules.
Can I file a case without paying the filing fee?
Only if you qualify as an indigent litigant under A.M. No. 10-3-7-SC — your income must not exceed double the applicable minimum wage in your region (this varies by region and changes with each wage order, not a fixed peso figure) and you must not own real property worth more than ₱300,000. File the application simultaneously with your complaint.
Are there fees beyond the filing fee?
Yes. Depending on your case: mediation fee (₱1,000 for MTC/RTC cases), sheriff's trust fund (₱1,000–₱2,000 when requesting enforcement), and publication fees if ordered. These are collected separately from the filing fee.
Do all civil cases need barangay conciliation before filing?
Most do, if both parties live in the same city or municipality. Under R.A. 7160, you must go through the barangay's Lupon Tagapamayapa first and obtain a Certificate to File Action if unresolved. Exceptions apply for different-city parties, government/corporate parties, real property located elsewhere, and urgent matters.
Fee schedules 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. Always verify with the Clerk of Court before filing. This page does not constitute legal advice.