To start a Small Claims Court lawsuit you must fill out a Claim Form, go to the County Courthouse, sign it before the clerk, and pay the filing fee and service costs. The filing fee is $30.00 and serving the claim form on the defendant by certified mail costs approximately $11.
If you arrange to have the constable or sheriff serve the defendant with the petition, this will cost $20.00 to $30.00. The judge will not hear your case unless the defendant has been properly served with the claim form. You may request in your claim form that these court costs be added to the amount of money the defendant owes you. When you file your case, the clerk will give you a trial date and time about four weeks from the date you file.