Current Filing Fees (2026)
| Chapter | Filing Fee | Fee Waiver? | Installments? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | $338 | Yes (if eligible) | Yes (up to 4 payments) |
| Chapter 13 | $313 | No | Yes (up to 4 payments) |
| Chapter 11 | $1,738 | No | No |
| Chapter 12 | $278 | No | Yes |
These fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly across all 94 federal bankruptcy courts. They are periodically adjusted.
Installment Payments
If you cannot pay the filing fee in full at the time of filing, you can request to pay in installments. The court allows up to 4 installment payments, with the full amount due within 120 days of filing (extendable to 180 days for cause).
To request installments, file the "Application to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments" (Official Form 103A) with your petition. You may not pay an attorney any money while you owe installment payments to the court.
Fee Waivers
Chapter 7 filers whose household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines can request a full fee waiver. For 2026, the 150% poverty threshold for a single person is approximately $22,590; for a family of four, approximately $46,800.
To request a waiver, file the "Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived" (Official Form 103B) with your petition. The court will grant the waiver if your income is below the threshold and you cannot pay in installments.
Note: Fee waivers are only available for Chapter 7. Chapter 13 filers must pay the $313 fee, though it can be paid through the plan or in installments.
Other Court Costs
Beyond the filing fee, you may encounter additional court costs. Filing an adversary proceeding (such as a complaint to determine dischargeability) costs $350. Motions to reopen a closed case cost $260 for Chapter 7 or $235 for Chapter 13. Amending schedules after closing costs $32.
PACER access fees (for viewing court documents online) are $0.10 per page, with a cap of $3.00 per document. Some courts provide free access at public terminals in the courthouse.
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Last updated: April 2026. Not legal advice.
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