Small Claims
Court Fees
Philippines
The fastest way to recover money in the Philippines — no attorney required, usually resolved in one hearing. Calculate your exact filing fees below.
Small Claims Docket Fee Schedule
Since the Supreme Court's February 2023 amendment to A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC (effective April 1, 2023), small claims filing fees are a single flat, all-inclusive amount per bracket — covering the Judiciary Development Fund, Legal Research Fund, Mediation Fund, and Victim Compensation Fund together. There's no separate 1% surcharge to add on top.
| Claim Amount | Docket Fee | + LRF (1%) | + VCF | Total Payable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ₱200,000 | All-inclusive | ₱5,000.00 | ||
| ₱200,001 – ₱400,000 | All-inclusive | ₱10,000.00 | ||
| ₱400,001 – ₱600,000 | All-inclusive | ₱15,000.00 | ||
| ₱600,001 – ₱800,000 | All-inclusive | ₱20,000.00 | ||
| ₱800,001 – ₱1,000,000 | All-inclusive | ₱25,000.00 | ||
Optional add-ons: barangay conciliation fee (₱50–₱200), sheriff's deposit if enforcing judgment (₱1,000–₱2,000 estimate), e-payment convenience fee (₱15).
What Is Small Claims Court in the Philippines?
Philippine Small Claims Court was established under A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC and expanded several times since — most recently to cover claims up to ₱1,000,000, per the Supreme Court's amendment effective April 1, 2023. It was designed to give ordinary Filipinos access to fast, affordable justice for money disputes without the need to hire a lawyer.
The small claims process is stripped-down by design. There are no lawyers on either side. Hearings are informal. The judge actively guides the proceedings and can resolve most cases in a single hearing day — compared to regular civil cases that can drag on for years.
Cases covered by small claims include: unpaid loans between private individuals, bounced checks (BP 22), unpaid rent, freelance payment disputes, and breach of contracts involving money. What it cannot handle: criminal cases, cases involving real property ownership, and cases where you are seeking non-monetary relief like injunctions or specific performance.
Documents You Need to File a Small Claims Case
Preparation makes or breaks a small claims hearing. Since there are no lawyers to fix your paperwork on the day, everything must be in order when you arrive at the Clerk of Court window. Here is the standard document checklist for a money claim in Philippine small claims court.
- Accomplished Statement of Claim (SC Form 1-SCC) — available at the clerk's office or downloadable from the SC website
- Certified photocopy of the evidence supporting your claim (promissory notes, contracts, demand letters, receipts, screenshots of conversation admitting the debt)
- Barangay Certification to File Action — required if both you and the defendant live in the same city or municipality
- Two copies of all documents — one for the court, one that will be served on the defendant
- Valid government-issued ID for identification at the window
- If claiming via bounced check: original dishonored check, bank return slip, and the demand letter you sent the defendant
If you plan to claim as an indigent litigant, also bring: a notarized Affidavit of Indigency, a Barangay Certification of Indigency, and an Assessor's Certificate confirming your property holdings.
3 Things First-Time Small Claims Filers Get Wrong
Small claims is simpler than regular court — but that doesn't mean it's foolproof. These are the three mistakes that trip up first-time filers most often in Philippine small claims proceedings.
Forgetting the barangay certification. If you and the defendant live in the same city or municipality, you must go through barangay conciliation first and get a Certificate to File Action. Showing up at the clerk's window without this document when it is required will get your case sent back. The barangay process usually takes 1–2 weeks, so factor this into your timeline.
Understating the claim to save on fees. The docket fee difference between a ₱99,000 claim and a ₱101,000 claim is only ₱500. But declaring ₱99,000 when you are actually owed ₱101,000 could legally limit your judgment to what you declared. Courts can only award what you asked for. Always declare the full amount.
Not sending a demand letter first. While not always legally required for small claims, a written demand letter strengthens your case significantly and shows the court you tried to resolve the matter before filing. It also makes the defendant's non-payment look deliberate, which matters when the judge decides on attorney's fees or interest.
Small Claims Filing Fee Questions Answered
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in the Philippines?
Can I file small claims without a lawyer in the Philippines?
What is the maximum amount for small claims court in the Philippines?
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Can I appeal a small claims judgment in the Philippines?
Fee estimates are based on Rule 141 of the Rules of Court and A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC 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.