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Bankruptcy filing fees (federal, all 50 states)
Bankruptcy is federal, so the filing fee is the same in every state: $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, set by the U.S. Courts' Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. There is no state-by-state variation to shop for.
Filing fee by chapter
| Chapter | Filing fee | What it is made of |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | $338 | $245 statutory filing fee + $78 administrative fee + $15 trustee surcharge |
| Chapter 13 | $313 | Statutory filing fee + administrative fee (no trustee surcharge) |
| Chapter 12 | $278 | Statutory filing fee + administrative fee |
| Chapter 9 | $1,738 | Statutory filing fee + administrative fee |
| Chapter 11 | $1,738 | Statutory filing fee + administrative fee (quarterly U.S. Trustee fees are separate) |
| Chapter 15 | $1,738 | Statutory filing fee + administrative fee |
Instalments (Form 103A) and the Chapter 7 waiver (Form 103B) exist for filers who cannot pay the fee on filing day.
Read the fee waiver guideOther bankruptcy court fees worth knowing
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adversary proceeding complaint | $350 |
| Motion to lift the automatic stay (and similar relief-from-stay motions) | $199 |
| Reopening a Chapter 7 case | $260 |
| Reopening a Chapter 13 case | $235 |
| Notice of appeal | $293, plus the $5 statutory fee — $298 in total |
Paying in instalments, and the Chapter 7 waiver
If you cannot pay the full fee on filing day, you can apply to pay in instalments on Form 103A. For Chapter 7 only, a filer whose income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines (HHS) and who cannot pay even in instalments can apply for a full waiver on Form 103B. Both applications are decided by the court — see the fee waiver guide.
What the filing fee does not include
The two mandatory courses (credit counselling before filing, debtor education before discharge) are sold by approved providers, not the court, and attorney fees for a bankruptcy are set by the attorney. Chapter 11 debtors also owe quarterly U.S. Trustee fees on a separate schedule.
Sources: U.S. Courts — Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule · U.S. Courts — District Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule · U.S. Courts — Court of Appeals Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court clerk.