Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
1
CIVIL FEES
Fee or
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount
Requirements
Waivable
1
Distribution
Civil Filing Fee
600.2529(1)(a)
Required
2
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Electronic Filing System Fee for Civil Actions
4
600.1986(1)(a)
Required
5
$25
Yes
3
Judicial Electronic Filing Fund
Petition for Adoption
600.2529(1)(a)
Required
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Petition for Rescission of Adoption
600.2529(1)(a)
710.66
Required
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Petition for Name Change
600.2529(1)(a)
Required
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Petition for Emancipation
600.2529(1)(a)
Required
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Ancillary Conservatorship or Ancillary
Guardianship (filing fee)
600.1027(1)
Required
6
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Appeals to Circuit Court (civil or criminal cases)
600.2529(1)(b)
Required
7
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee Fund
Appeals from Circuit Court
600.2529(1)(g)
Required
$25
Yes
3
Funding Unit
Jury Demand Fee
600.2529(1)(c)
Required
$85
Yes
3
$60 Funding Unit
$25 Juror Comp. Reimb. Fund
Motion Fee (See Chart)
600.2529(1)(e)
Required
8
$20
Yes
3
$10 Funding Unit
$10 State Court Fund
Writ of Garnishment, Attachment, Execution, or
Judgment Debtor Discovery Subpoena
600.2529(1)(h)
Required
$15
Yes
3
Funding Unit
1
Waivable for civil fees means waived or suspended pursuant to statute or court rule. For criminal and juvenile cases, waivable means dischargeable or payment alternatives may be used in lieu of payment.
2
MCR 3.214(D) states that there is no fee for registering (only) a foreign custody determination under MCL 722.1304. The fee applies to all other new UCCJEA actions. MCL 552.2313(1) prohibits charging a
UIFSA petitioner filing fees or other costs. No filing fees are required for the commencement of a paternity action pursuant to MCL 722.727. No filing fees are required for filing a child protective action or a
delinquency action under section 2 of chapter XIIA of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 712A.2, or under the young adult voluntary foster care act, 2011 PA 225, MCL 400.641 to 400.671. MCL
600.2529(8). No filing fees are required for the commencement of an action by the attorney general or prosecuting attorney under the Michigan Consumers Protection Act, 1976 PA 331, MCL 445.913.
3
Fees can be waived or suspended pursuant to MCL 600.2529(5) or MCR 2.002. If the court waives payment of a fee for commencing a civil action because the court determines that the party is indigent or unable
to pay the fee, the court shall also waive payment of the electronic filing system fee. MCL 600.1986(3)
4
“Civil action” means an action that is not a criminal case, a civil infraction action, a proceeding commenced in the probate court under section 3982 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1988 PA 386,
MCL 700.3982, or a proceeding involving a juvenile under chapter XIIA of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 712A.1 to 712A.32. MCL 600.1985(c). It also excludes the following case types:
AH,AR, AE, AV,AX, CC (if filed by city or county attorney), DP, DS, ID,NB,PW,PH,PJ,PP,UD,UE,UF,UI,UM,UN,UT,UW,VF,VP. The electronic filing system fee does not apply to appeals. See also SCAO
Administrative Memorandum 2016-02.
5
A party that is a governmental entity is not required to pay an electronic filing system fee. MCL 600.1986(4)
6
Attorney General, Department of Treasury, Department of Human Services, State Public Administrator, or Administrator of Veterans Affairs of the United States Veterans Administration or agencies of county
government are all exempt. MCL 600.1027(2)
7
Not required for appeals from the Michigan Employment Security Board of Review. MCL 421.31
8
In conjunction with an action brought under MCL 600.2950 or 600.2950a, a motion fee shall not be collected for a motion to dismiss the petition, a motion to modify, rescind, or terminate a personal protection
order, or a motion to show cause for a violation of a personal protection order. A motion fee shall not be collected for a motion to dismiss a proceeding to enforce a foreign protection order or a motion to show
cause for a violation of a foreign protection order under
MCL 600.2950h to 600.2950m. A motion fee shall not be collected for a request for a hearing to contest income withholding under section 7 of the
Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act. MCL 600.2529(e)
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
2
FRIEND OF THE COURT RELATED FEES
Fee or
Assessment
Required or
Discretionary
Amount
Requirements
Waivable Distribution
Custody and Parenting Time Fee in an
action in which custody or parenting
time of minor children is to be
determined
Required
$80
9
Yes
10
Friend of the Court Fund
Support Fee in an action in which
support of minor children is to be
determined
Required
11
$40
9
Yes
10
Friend of the Court Fund
Order of Filiation Fee
Required
$59
No
$9 Funding Unit
$50 Department of Community Health
Friend of the Court Service Fee
12
(non-
IV-D services)
Required
$3.50 per month
13
No
$2.25 Funding Unit
$1.00 State Court Fund
$0.25 Attorney General’s Operations
Fund
Bench Warrant Costs - Support
Required, except
for good cause
shown on record
Costs of hearing, issuance
of warrant, arrest, and
any later hearings
Yes
50% Friend of the Court Fund
50% County Treasurer for Law
Enforcement Agency
Bench Warrant Costs – Parenting time
violations
Required, except
for good cause
shown on record
Costs of hearing, issuance
of warrant, arrest, and
any later hearings
No
14
50% Friend of the Court Fund
50% County Treasurer for Law
Enforcement Agency
Fines – Contempt in support
proceedings
Discretionary
$100 maximum
Yes
Friend of the Court Fund
9
To be paid at the time of filing. Please see footnote 10.
10
Can be waived or suspended pursuant to MCL 600.2529(6) and MCR 2.002. If the person filing an action under subsection (1)(d) is a public officer acting in his or her official capacity, if the order is submitted
with the initial filing as a consent order, or other good cause is shown, the court shall order the fee under subsection (1)(d) waived or suspended.
11
This fee does not apply if Custody and Parenting Time Fee for custody or parenting time is paid.
12
FOC service fees are collected and distributed by the state MISDU.
13
Payable monthly, quarterly, or semiannually as required by the friend of the court.
14
Costs ordered under subsection (5) is a judgment at the time the order is entered. MCL 552.644(7)
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
3
FRIEND OF THE COURT RELATED FEES
Fee or
Assessment
Required or
Discretionary
Amount
Requirements
Waivable Distribution
Fines – Contempt for parenting time
violations
Discretionary
$100 maximum
No
15
Friend of the Court Fund
Sanction – Parenting time disputes
(against party acting in bad faith)
Required
$250 max for 1
st
time
$500 max for 2
nd
time
$1000 max for
subsequent times
No
16
Friend of the Court Fund
Driver License Clearance Fee (FOC
suspensions)
Required
$45
No
17
$15 Secretary of State
$30 Friend of the Court Fund
15
A fine ordered under subsection (2) is a judgment at the time the order is entered. MCL 552.644(7)
16
A sanction ordered under subsection (6) is a judgment at the time the order is entered. MCL 552.644(7)
17
Except for court error.
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
4
CRIMINAL ASSESSMENTS
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount Requirements Waivable
1
Distribution
Fines
Underlying statute of
the offense
769.1k(1)(b)(i)
OR
As otherwise
authorized under:
750.503
750.504
771.3(2)(b)
Either – as reflected in
authorizing statute
As reflected in authorizing statute;
When not fixed by underlying statute of
the offense:
$500 maximum for misdemeanor
$5000 maximum for felony
No if
required,
otherwise
yes
County Treasurer for
Libraries
Court Costs
445.377(1)
750.159j(2)
769.1k(1)(b)(ii)
769.1k(1)(b)(iii)
Discretionary
As reflected in authorizing statute;
Costs under MCL 769.1k(1)(b)(iii) must
be reasonably related to actual costs
incurred without separately calculating
those costs involved in a particular case.
Actual costs include, but are not limited
to, salaries and benefits for relevant
court personnel, goods and services
necessary for the operation of the court,
and necessary expenses for the
operation and maintenance of court
buildings and facilities.
Yes
Funding Unit
Costs of Prosecution
Underlying statute of
the offense
771.3(2)(c)
Either – as reflected in
authorizing statute
Costs are limited to expenses
specifically incurred in prosecuting the
defendant
18
No if
required,
otherwise
yes
Presumably the unit of
government that
incurred the costs
Attorney Fees
MCR 6.005(C)
769.1k(1)(b)(iv)
771.3(2)(c)
Discretionary
Yes
Funding Unit
Appeals to Circuit
Court (civil or
criminal cases)
600.2529(1)(b)
Required
19
$150
Yes
3
$31 Funding Unit
$119 Civil Filing Fee
Fund
18
“When authorized, the costs of prosecution imposed ‘must bear some reasonable relation to the expenses actually incurred in the prosecution.’” People v Dilworth, 291 Mich App 399, 401 (2011) (citation
omitted). “Furthermore, those costs may not include ‘expenditures in connection with the maintenance and functioning of governmental agencies that must be borne by the public irrespective of specific violations
of the law.’” Id. at 401 (citation omitted). The trial court record must “set[] forth [the] basis for [the] computation [of costs]. . . [and must] disclose an adequate basis therefor.” People v Wein, 382 Mich 588, 592
(1969).
19
Not required for appeals from the Michigan Employment Security Board of Review. MCL 421.31
20
A probationer not in willful default of payment may petition the court for remission of any unpaid portion of
minimum state cost, pursuant to MCL 771.3(6)(b).
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
5
CRIMINAL ASSESSMENTS
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount Requirements Waivable
1
Distribution
Minimum State Cost
769.1j(1)
769.1k(1)(a)
771.3(1)(g)
Required if two other
assessments are ordered
Minimum amounts assessed per count,
based upon conviction:
$50 – misdemeanor
$68 – felony
No
20
Justice System Fund
Crime Victim Rights
Assessment
771.3(1)(f)
780.905
Required for felony or
misdemeanor convictions
One assessment per case, based upon
conviction:
$75 – misdemeanor
$130 – felony
No
90% Crime Victim Rights
Fund
10% Funding Unit
Restitution
750.543x
769.1a(2)
769.3
769.34(6)
771.3(1)(e)
780.766(2)
780.826(2)
Required
Required to order each defendant to
make full restitution. Since each
defendant is required to pay full
restitution but should not pay more
than the full amount of restitution, the
defendants are jointly and severally
liable for the entire restitution amount.
No
Victim or Crime Victim
Rights Fund if victim cannot
be located or refuses to claim
restitution
21
Reimbursement
750.543x
769.1f
769.1g
769.1k(1)(b)(vi)
Either – as reflected in
authorizing statute
Reimbursement limited to expenses
identified in MCL 769.1f and 769.1g
No
Unit(s) of government named
in the order
Driver License
Clearance Fee
257.321a(5)(b)
Required
$45
No
22
$15 Secretary of State
$15 Juror Compensation
Reimbursement Fund
$15 Funding Unit
DNA Assessment
28.176(5)
Required
$60
Yes
23
10% Funding Unit
25% Law enforcement
agency that collected the DNA
sample
65% to state treasurer for
deposit in the justice system
fund
20
A probationer not in willful default of payment may petition the court for remission of any unpaid portion of minimum state cost, pursuant to MCL 771.3(6)(b).
21
Restitution disbursements to victims should be made at least once a month. If a person entitled to receive restitution that the court has collected cannot be located, refuses to claim it from the court within two
years of being eligible to do so, or refuses to accept the restitution, the court must remit the unclaimed amount to the Crime Victim Rights Fund on its monthly transmittal to the state.
22
Except for court error.
23
Court may suspend all or part of the assessment if it determines that the individual is unable to pay the assessment. MCL 28.176(7)
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
6
CRIMINAL ASSESSMENTS
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount Requirements Waivable
1
Distribution
20% Late Penalty
600.4803(1)
Required
20% of amount owed, excluding
restitution; assessed 56 days after due
date
Yes
Funding Unit
Costs to Compel
Appearance
769.1k(2)
Discretionary
Yes
Funding Unit
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
7
JUVENILE ASSESSMENTS
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount Requirements
Waivable
1
Assessed to
Distribution
Fines
712A.18(1)(j)
Underlying
ordinance or
law of the
offense
Discretionary
unless mandated
by underlying
ordinance or law
of the offense
As reflected in authorizing
ordinance or law
Yes
Juvenile
Statute Violation –
County treasurer for
libraries
Ordinance Violation
- 1/3 to political sub.
whose ordinance was
violated; 2/3 to
funding unit
Minimum State
Cost
712A.18(1)(b)
712A.18(18)
712A.18m(1)
Required if two
other assessments
are ordered
Minimum amounts assessed
per count, based upon
adjudication:
$50 – misdemeanor
$68 – felony
No
24
Juvenile
Justice System Fund
Crime Victim
Rights Assessment
712A.18(12)
780.905(3)
Required if
offense
adjudicated is a
felony or
misdemeanor
One assessment per
dispositional order, based
upon adjudication:
$25 for felony or
misdemeanor
* Case designated as case in
which juvenile tried as an
adult
$130 – felony
$75 -- misdemeanor
No
Juvenile
90% Crime Victim
Rights Fund
10% Funding Unit
Restitution
712A.2f(7)(a)
712A.18(7)
712A.30(2)
712A.30(15)
780.766(15)
780.794(2)
780.794(15)
Required-Juvenile
Required to order each
juvenile to make full
restitution. Since each
juvenile is required to pay full
restitution but should not pay
more than the full amount of
restitution, the juveniles are
jointly and severally liable for
the entire restitution amount.
No – Juvenile
Yes – Parent(s)
Juvenile
Parent(s) having
supervisory
responsibility for
the juvenile at the
time of the acts
upon which an
Victim or Crime
Victim Rights Fund
if victim cannot be
located or refuses to
claim restitution
26
24
A juvenile not in willful default of payment may petition the court for remission of any unpaid portion of Minimum State Cost, pursuant to MCL 712A.18(19).
26
Restitution disbursements to victims should be made at least once a month. If a person entitled to receive restitution that the court has collected cannot be located, refuses to claim it from the court within two
years of being eligible to do so, or refuses to accept the restitution, the court must remit the unclaimed amount to the Crime Victim Rights Fund on its monthly transmittal to the state.
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
8
order of restitution
is based
25
JUVENILE ASSESSMENTS
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount Requirements
Waivable
1
Assessed to
Distribution
Reimbursement for
cost of care and
services
712A.2f
712A.18(2)
712A.18(3)
712A.18(4)
769.1(7)
Required for cost
of care
Discretionary for
cost of service
pursuant to MCL
712A.18(3)
Yes
Juvenile
Parent(s)
Guardian
Custodian
Funding Unit:
25% to offset
administrative cost of
collections
27
75% Child Care Fund
divided in same ratio
to county, state, and
federal government
that participate in
cost of care
Attorney Fees
712A.18(5)
769.1(8)
Discretionary
Yes
Juvenile
Parent(s)
Guardian
Custodian
Funding Unit
20% Late Penalty
600.4803
Required
20% of amount owed,
excluding restitution and cost
of care; assessed 56 days after
due date
Yes
Juvenile
Parent(s)
Guardian
Custodian
Funding Unit
DNA Assessment
28.176(5)
Required
$60
Yes
28
Juvenile
10% Funding Unit
25% Law
enforcement agency
that collected the
DNA sample
65% to state treasurer
for deposit in the
justice system fund
25
If the court determines the juvenile is or will be unable to pay all of the restitution ordered, after notice to the juvenile’s parent and an opportunity for the parent to be heard, the court may order the parent(s)
having supervisory responsibility for the juvenile at the time of the acts upon which an order of restitution is based to pay any portion of the restitution ordered that is outstanding pursuant to MCL 780.166(15) and
MCL 780.794(15).
27
Child support collected for a child in foster care is not reimbursement pursuant to MCL 712A.18. See SCAO Administrative Memorandum 2008-01.
28
Court may suspend all or part of the assessment if it determines that the individual is unable to pay the assessment. MCL 28.176(7)
Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table
March 2021
9
GENERAL FEES AND ASSESSMENTS
Assessment
Authority
(MCL)
Required or
Discretionary
Amount Requirements Waivable
1
Distribution
Interpretation Costs
MCR 1.111(F)(5)
Discretionary
Party must be financially able to pay
pursuant to MCR 1.111(A)(3)
Yes
Funding Unit
NSF Check Costs
MCR 8.106(E)
Discretionary
Reasonable expenses incurred
Yes
Funding Unit
NOTE: Courts can only assess what is authorized by statute or court rule. Unless otherwise provided by statute, there is no authority for a court to impose any
costs on a criminal defendant if he or she is not convicted of a crime or if an order of disposition is not entered (for example, diversion cases).