A docket fee is a fee that a court charges to officially record a case on its docket or calendar. This fee is part of the costs associated with legal actions and is typically required to initiate proceedings in various types of cases, including civil, criminal, and admiralty cases.
Docket fees are used in various legal contexts, including:
Users can manage their cases by utilizing legal templates provided by US Legal Forms, which are drafted by qualified attorneys.
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A plaintiff files a civil lawsuit for damages. They pay a docket fee of $20 to have their case officially recorded.
Example 2: In an admiralty case, if the libellant recovers less than $50, the proctor's docket fee is reduced to $10 (hypothetical example).
Pursuant to 28 USCS § 1923 (a), the following docket fees apply:
Examples of state differences (not exhaustive):
| State | Docket Fee |
|---|---|
| California | $450 for civil cases |
| New York | $210 for civil cases |
| Texas | $200 for civil cases |
This is not a complete list. State laws vary, and users should consult local rules for specific guidance.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Docket Fee | Fee charged by the court to officially record a case. |
| Filing Fee | Fee for submitting documents to the court, which may include the docket fee. |
| Service Fee | Fee for serving legal documents to involved parties. |
If you need to pay a docket fee:
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A docket fee is a fee charged by a court to officially record a case on its docket or calendar.