How to use the federal appeal filing fee calculator
Enter the amount in controversy, how many appellants are splitting the cost and, if you are in a state appellate court, that court's fee. The calculator shows the notice of appeal fee, the docketing fee, the per-party share and how small the fee is relative to the claim.
Legal basis (as of September 2026) — A civil case is filed in district court for a $350 statutory fee under 28 U.S.C. 1914(a) plus a $55 administrative fee, a total of $405. An appeal adds the $5 notice of appeal fee under 28 U.S.C. 1917 and a $600 docketing fee from the Court of Appeals Miscellaneous Fee Schedule issued under 28 U.S.C. 1913. A party who cannot pay may apply to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. 1915.
Korea works from the opposite premise. There the stamp duty scales with the value of the claim and an appeal costs 1.5 times the first instance amount, with a further doubling at the highest court. United States federal fees are flat, so a $5,000 dispute and a $50,000,000 dispute pay the same to appeal, and the real cost difference shows up in attorney fees, transcripts and the record.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. The Judicial Conference revises the fee schedules, and state appellate fees vary widely, so confirm the current amount with the clerk of court and consult a licensed attorney about your appeal.
Frequently asked questions
No. Federal court fees are flat. The amount in controversy sets diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1332, but it does not change the filing or docketing fee you pay.
A notice of appeal is filed in the district court with a $5 fee under 28 U.S.C. 1917, and the court of appeals collects a $600 docketing fee set by the fee schedule issued under 28 U.S.C. 1913, for $605 in total.
You can ask to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. 1915 by filing an affidavit of your assets. The court decides whether to waive prepayment, and a denial usually means the fee is due before the appeal moves forward.