Ky. Sup. Ct. Order 2026-15

Supreme Court of Kentucky

2026-15

ORDER

IN RE: ORDER AMENDING THE RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, effective July 1, 2026, Rules 3.02(1) and

(2) and 3.03(1) and (3) of the Rules of Civil Procedure (CR) shall be amended as

follows:

A. CR 3.02(1) and (2) Circuit civil fees and costs

CR 3.02(1) shall read:

(1) The filing fee for a civil case in Circuit Court (including original actions of

administrative agencies, special districts or boards) shall be paid to the

circuit clerk at the time the case is filed and shall be $188.00, except as

provided below:

(a) There shall be no filing fee for proceedings for a writ of habeas corpus,

proceedings under RCr 11.42, and mental health proceedings under KRS

Chapters 202A, 202B and 387.

(b) The filing fee for a petition under KRS 311.732 shall be $10.00.

(c) Fees required by KRS 453.060 and KRS 27A.630, a court technology fee

of $20.00, and any other required fees (e.g., court facility fee, library fee)

shall be paid in addition to the fees required by this rule.

CR 3.02(2) shall read:

(2) Additional costs, payable to the circuit clerk at the time the service is

requested, shall be charged in Circuit Court civil cases as follows:

(a) For a jury of six persons $40.00

(b) For a jury of more than six $70.00

(c) Filing a third party complaint $44.00

(d) Preparing a certification, including Act of Congress $ 5.00

(e) Providing a copy of a document (per page) $ .25

(f) Providing a copy of a digital or video recording

(per individual tape, disk or other media) $25.00

(g) Providing a copy of an audio recording

(per individual tape, disk or other media) $15.00

(h) Issuing writs of attachment, execution orders,

and post judgment writs of possession $25.00

(i) Issuing garnishments $15.00

(j) Publishing a notice As set by Newspaper

(k) Certified mail service fees As set by Administrative Order

(l) Original deposition, including appearance

fees and mileage Assessed as Costs

(m) Library fees As set by KRS 172.180 and KRS 453.060

B. CR 3.03(1) and (3) District civil fees and costs

CR 3.03(1) shall read:

(1) The filing fee for a civil case in District Court shall be paid to the clerk at

the time the case is filed and shall be $94.00, except as provided below:

(a) Where the case or controversy does not exceed $2500.00, exclusive of

interests and costs (Small Claims Court), the fees shall be $38.00;

(b) Where the amount in controversy is $500.00 or less and is not filed in

Small Claims Court, the fee shall be $50.00;

(c) Where the case involves the probate of an estate, the fee shall be $50.00;

(d) Where the case involves the appointment of guardians, conservators, and

curators and is not related to a pending probate proceeding, the fee shall

be $50.00 for each application;

(e) Where the matter involves a name change for a natural person, the fee

shall be $50.00;

(f) Where the case involves a paternity determination under KRS Chapter

406, the fee shall be $50.00;

(g) Where the case involves mental health proceedings under KRS Chapter

202A, 202B or 387, there shall be no fee except as provided in paragraph

(d) of this subsection;

(h) Where the case involves a hearing for a student pursuant to KRS

159.051, there shall be no fee;

(i) Where the case involves filing forcible detainer actions, the fee shall be

$50.00;

(j) Where the case involves filing a petition to marry under KRS Chapter

402, the fee shall be $25.00;

(k) Where the case involves a petition under KRS 311.732, the fee shall be

$13.00;

(l) Where the case involves a petition under KRS 367.931117 or 367.93121,

the fee shall be $37.50;

(m) Fees required by KRS 453.060 and KRS 27A.630, a court technology fee

of $20.00, and any other required fees (e.g., court facility fee, library fee)

shall be paid in addition to the fees required by this rule.

CR 3.03(3) shall read:

(3) Additional costs, payable to the circuit clerk at the time the service is

requested, shall be charged in District Court civil cases as follows:

(a) For a jury of six persons including paternity cases $40.00

(b) Filing a third party complaint $44.00

(c) Preparing a certification, including Act of Congress $ 5.00

(d) Providing a copy of a document (per page) $ .25

(e) Providing a copy of a digital or video recording

(per individual tape, disk or other media) $25.00

(f) Providing a copy of an audio recording

(per individual tape, disk or other media) $15.00

(g) Issuing writs of attachment, execution orders,

and post judgment writs of possession $25.00

(h) Issuing garnishments $15.00

(i) Publishing a notice As set by Newspaper

(j) Certified mail service fee As set by Administrative Order

(k) Original deposition, including appearance

fees and mileage Assessed as Costs

(l) Library fees As set by KRS 172.180 and KRS 453.060

Entered this 14th day of May 2026.

LAMBERT, C.J.; BISIG, CONLEY, GOODWINE, KELLER, AND NICKELL, JJ.,

SITTING. ALL CONCUR. THOMPSON, J., NOT SITTING.

_____________________________________

CHIEF JUSTICE