Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.03 sets District Court's $75 base civil filing fee, lists reduced fees for specific case types such as small claims, probate, guardianship, name changes, and paternity actions, and fixes the fees for appealing a district court civil case to Circuit Court.
(1)The filing fee for a civil case in District Court shall be paid to the clerk at the time the case is filed and shall be $75.00, except as provided below:
(a)Where the case or controversy does not exceed $2500.00, exclusive of interests and costs (Small Claims Court), the fees shall be $30.00;
(b)Where the amount in controversy is $500.00 or less and is not filed in Small Claims Court, the fee shall be $40.00;
(c)Where the case involves the probate of an estate, the fee shall be $40.00;
(d)Where the case involves the appointment of guardians, conservators, and curators and is not related to a pending probate proceeding, the fee shall be $40.00 for each application;
(e)Where the matter involves a name change for a natural person, the fee shall be $40.00;
(f)Where the case involves a paternity determination under KRS Chapter 406, the fee shall be $40.00;
(g)Where the case involves mental health proceedings under KRS Chapter 202A, 202B or 387, there shall be no fee except as provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection;
(h)Where the case involves a hearing for a student pursuant to KRS 159.051, there shall be no fee;
(i)Where the case involves filing forcible detainer actions, the fee shall be $40.00;
(j)Where the case involves filing a petition to marry under KRS Chapter 402, the fee shall be $20.00;
(k)Where the case involves a petition under KRS 311.732, the fee shall be $10.00;
(l)Where the case involves a petition under KRS 367.93117 or 367.93121, the fee shall be $30.00; and
(m)Fees required by KRS 453.060 and KRS 27A.630, a court technology fee of $20.00, and any other required fees (e.g., court facility fee, library fee) shall be paid in addition to the fees required by this rule.
(a)The filing fees for an appeal from a district court civil matter to the circuit court shall be $60.00.
(b)In the case of a counterclaim or cross-claim that exceeds the jurisdictional amount of district court requiring transfer to circuit court, additional fees of $60.00 shall be paid by the party filing the counterclaim or cross-claim.
(c)In the case of a counterclaim or cross-claim that exceeds the jurisdictional amount for which the lessened fee is provided in subsection (1)(b) above, but which is not greater than the jurisdiction of District Court, additional fees of $15.00 shall be paid by the party filing such counterclaim or cross- claim.
(d)The fees required by KRS 453.060 shall be paid in addition to the fee required by this rule.
(3)Additional costs, payable to the circuit clerk at the time the service is requested, shall be charged in District Court civil cases as follows:
(a)For a jury of six persons including paternity cases -- $40.00.
(b)Filing a third party complaint -- $44.00.
(c)Preparing a certification, including Act of Congress -- $ 5.00.
(d)Providing a copy of a document (per page) -- $ .25.
(e)Providing a copy of a digital or video recording (per individual tape, disk or other media) -- $25.00.
(f)Providing a copy of an audio recording (per individual tape, disk or other media) -- $15.00.
(g)Issuing writs of attachment, execution orders, and post judgment writs of possession -- $25.00.
(h)Issuing garnishments -- $15.00.
(i)Publishing a notice -- As set by Newspaper.
(j)Certified mail fee -- As set by Administrative Order.
(k)Original deposition, including appearance fees and mileage -- Assessed as Costs.
(l)Library fees -- As set by KRS 172.180 and KRS 453.060.
(4)The court, in its discretion, may provide for the payment of additional costs in cases requiring extraordinary services.
Amendment History
(Adopted November 22, 1996, effective January 1, 1997; amended January 8, 1997, effective March 15, 1997; amended October 29, 2004, effective January 1, 2005; amended January 12, 2005, effective January 1, 2005; amended November 13, 2006, effective January 1, 2007; amended May 22, 2008, effective July 1, 2008; amended June 22, 2018, eff. July 1, 2018.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.03 sets filing fees for civil cases in Kentucky District Court. The base fee is $75.00, paid to the clerk when the case is filed, but many case types carry a different, usually lower, fee. Small Claims cases, where the controversy doesn't exceed $2,500.00, cost $30.00. Cases where the amount in controversy is $500.00 or less, filed outside Small Claims Court, cost $40.00. Probate of an estate, guardianship or conservator appointments not tied to a pending probate, name changes, paternity determinations, and forcible detainer actions each carry a $40.00 fee. A petition to marry costs $20.00, and petitions under KRS 311.732 cost $10.00. Mental health proceedings under KRS Chapters 202A, 202B, or 387 carry no fee. As in Circuit Court, a $20.00 technology fee and other required statutory fees apply on top of whichever base fee fits the case.
The rule sets separate fees for moving a case up to Circuit Court. Appealing a district court civil judgment costs $60.00. If a counterclaim or cross-claim exceeds district court's jurisdictional limit and forces a transfer to Circuit Court, the filer pays an added $60.00 — or $15.00 if the claim only exceeds the lower, reduced-fee threshold without exceeding district court's overall jurisdiction.
Like Rule 3.02, the rule also lists a schedule of additional costs the clerk charges when a party requests a particular service: $40.00 to seat a six-person jury (including in paternity cases), $44.00 to file a third-party complaint, $5.00 to prepare a certification, $.25 per page for a copy of a document, $25.00 for a copy of a digital or video recording, $15.00 for a copy of an audio recording, $25.00 to issue a writ of attachment, execution order, or post-judgment writ of possession, and $15.00 to issue a garnishment. Publishing a notice costs whatever the newspaper charges, certified mail is billed as set by administrative order, an original deposition's appearance fees and mileage are assessed as costs, and library fees follow KRS 172.180 and KRS 453.060. The rule leaves room for the court to order further additional costs in cases that need extraordinary services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file in Kentucky Small Claims Court?
The filing fee is $30.00 for claims that don't exceed $2,500.00, filed in Small Claims Court.
What's the filing fee to appeal a Kentucky district court case to circuit court?
Rule 3.03 sets that fee at $60.00, with an added $60.00 or $15.00 if a counterclaim or cross-claim forces the transfer, depending on the amount involved.
How much does a name change or guardianship filing cost in Kentucky District Court?
Both carry a $40.00 filing fee under Rule 3.03, the same fee charged for probate, paternity, and forcible detainer filings.
How much does it cost to seat a jury in Kentucky District Court?
Rule 3.03 sets the fee at $40.00 for a jury of six persons, including in paternity cases.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 3.03). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:Kentucky district court filing feesmall claims court filing fee Kentuckycost to appeal district court to circuit court Kentuckyguardianship filing fee Kentuckyname change filing fee Kentuckypaternity case filing fee Kentucky