Back to ...
 
Circuit Court Clerk
500 Courthouse
625 Georgia Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-209-6700
FAX 423-209-6701
ADOPTIONS
Adoption/Guardianship (no service) $157.50
Adoption/Custody (no service) $157.50
Adoption/Custody-Guardianship (no service) $157.50
Adoption with service by our Sheriff *$210.50
Adoption without service or by private process server *$188.50
Adoption (Adult) w/o new birth certificate $157.50
Adoption – with service by Publication in Herald *$228.50
Adoption – with service by Publication in Times/Free Press *$263.50
*Includes the $31.00 for new birth certificate
DIVORCE WITH CHILDREN
Divorce w/ no service or by private process server $ 257.50
Divorce with service by Hamilton Co Sheriff $279.50
Divorce with service by our Sheriff or summons
Restraining Order $299.50
Divorce with publication - Herald $297.50
Divorce with publication - Times/Free Press $332.50
DIVORCE WITHOUT CHILDREN
Divorces/ Irreconcilable w/ no service
(Petition/Agreement filed together)
$ 182.50
Divorce with personal service $204.50
Divorce with service and restraining order $224.50
Divorce with publication - Herald $222.50
Divorce with publication - Chattanooga Publishing $257.50
NAME CHANGE $157.50
MINOR SETTLEMENTS $157.50
LEGITIMATION:
With Service by Sheriff of Hamilton Co.
Without Service or by private process or out of co. Sheriff
$179.50
$157.50
FOREIGN DECREE & FOREIGN JUDGMENT
With Service on One Defendant by Sheriff of Hamilton Co.
Without Service or by private process or out of co. Sheriff
$179.50
$157.50
RESTORATION OF CITIZENSHIP $157.50
REMOVAL OF MINORITY $157.50
WORKER’S COMPENSATION SETTLEMENT $ 207.50
WORKER’S COMPENSATION $ 207.50
PETITION TO MODIFY with service by our sheriff $ 95.00
PETITION TO MODIFY without service or by private process server $ 75.00
PETITION FOR CONTEMPT with service by our sheriff $ 95.00
PETITION FOR CONTEMPT without service or by private process server $ 75.00
SERVICE FEES
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE $ 15.00
SECRETARY OF STATE (per defendant served) $ 20.00
PUBLICATION BY THE HERALD $ 40.00
PUBLICATION BY THE TIMES/FREE PRESS $ 75.00
SHERIFF (OUT OF COUNTY) SUMMONS(If 1st issuance or $20 if not) $ 22.00
SHERIFF (OUT OF COUNTY)
RESTRAINING ORDER
$ 22.00
(THIS SETS OUT THE CLERK’S FEE ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LITIGATION FEE $57.50 OR SERVICES FEES)

Unless otherwise specified, fees in civil cases should be paid in advance. Cost bonds only allowed where indicated
CIRCUIT COURT CIVIL CASES
Category One Cases (bond may be used) $225.00 “$225.00 + $57.50 Lit Tax = $282.50 plus service”
Contracts, torts, personal injury, property damage, malpractice, wrongful death, employment discrimination, civil rights suits, tax disputes, special remedies and cases not otherwise specified.
Category Two Cases $150.00 “$150.00 + 57.50 Lit Tax = $207.50 plus service”
Workers comp cases (bond may be used); appeals to circuit from general sessions, city court and other courts or hearings; transfers from foreign counties, writs of mandamus; condemnation/inverse condemnation; & quo warranto actions.
Category Three Cases $100.00 “$100.00 + 57.50 Lit Tax = $157.50 plus service”
Adoptions, legitimations, paternity cases, termination of parental rights, & other domestic relations matters not otherwise designated, restoration of citizenship, name changes, minor settlements, enforcement of foreign judgments, and orders of protection (fees not required in advance), cross-fillings and counter complaints.
Category Four Cases $75.00 “$75.00 plus service through Ham Co Sheriff $20.00 = $95.00”
Child support Enforcement and modification, interstate support cases, modification of parenting plan, civil contempt.
DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Order of Protection (fee is not paid in advance) $100.00“$100 plus 57.50 Lit Tax = $157.50 plus service”
Divorce (with minor children) $200.00 “$200 plus 57.50 Lit Tax = $257.50 plus service”
Divorce (without minor children)$125.00 “$125 plus 57.50 Lit Tax = $182.50 plus service”
MISCELLANEOUS OTHER CHARGES AND FEES
Post Judgment Requests $25.00
Applies to each requested garnishment, execution, levy, post judgment interrogatory, publication request, motions to set installment payments, and post judgment orders and pleas.
Subpoenas $6.00, Clerk plus $20 for Sheriff
Continuances (taxed at end of case) $7.00
Certified Copies per page $5.00 + $.50 per page
Copies per page $ .50
Mailing (certified or registered mail) Actual costs
Certification and Seal $5.00
Expungement $100.00
Preparing a Record on Appeal from Circuit Court to Appellate Court $300.00
Third Party Complaints Same fee as original
Counter & Cross Complaints $100.00
WITNESS FEES
Witness in courts of record attending under subpoena in a civil matter shall receive, upon request to the clerk, thirty dollars ($30.00) per day for attendance. In addition, when the witness resides at a distance greater than ten miles from court, the witness shall, upon request, also receive reimbursement for travel expenses for each mile traveled when going to and returning from the court at the rate allowable under the state of Tennessee comprehensive travel regulations in effect at that time. All such compensation and reimbursement shall be taxed as cost 1