The cost of an eviction in Arizona for all filing, court, and service fees can vary heavily based on service and execution fees. For cases filed in Justice Court (used for claims under $10,000), the average cost is $177. For cases filed in Superior Court (for claims over $10,000), the average cost is $362.
| Fee | Justice | Superior |
| Initial Court Filing | $35 | $218 |
| Summons Service | ~$16 | ~$16 |
| Writ of Restitution Issuance | $28 | $30 |
| Writ of Restitution Service | $10 or less | $10 or less |
| Writ of Restitution Execution | $48+ | $48+ |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $203 | $203 |
| Document Copies (Optional) | $0.50/ea | $0.50/ea |
These filing, court, and service fees do not include outside costs such as legal fees or post-eviction fees (i.e., locksmith fees, storage costs for a tenant’s abandoned property, cleaning service fees, repair costs, or advertising costs for a vacant dwelling unit).
1. Initial Court Filing Fee
In Arizona, if the eviction notice expires and the tenant remains on the property without correcting the issue, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (“Forcible Entry and Detainer”) with the court the following business day.
The filing fee for an initial Forcible Entry and Detainer is $35 [ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’] in Justice Court and $218 in Superior Court. Note, the initial court fee is applicable to all counties in Arizona.
2. Summons Service Fee
Once a Complaint is filed in Arizona, the court will issue a Summons. The Summons is the tenant’s official notice of an eviction lawsuit and contains important information (i.e., when and where to appear in court). The landlord must arrange for a process server to deliver the Summons to the tenant.
The Summons service fee varies by process server. For example, a sheriff or constable may charge $16 [ttip number=’2′ icon=’popover-balance’] for delivering a Summons; however, a registered private process server may charge more. [ttip number=’3′ icon=’popover-balance’]
3. Writ of Restitution Issuance Fee
In Arizona, if the court rules in favor of the landlord, the court shall issue a Writ of Restitution. The writ is the tenant’s final notice to vacate the premises. In Justice Court the filing fee for a writ is $28 [ttip number=’4′ icon=’popover-balance’] and the filing fee for a writ in Superior Court is $30. Note, the writ fee is applicable to all counties in Arizona.
4. Writ of Restitution Service Fee
An Arizona sheriff or constable must serve the Writ of Restitution to the tenant. They may charge a service fee that does not exceed $10. [ttip number=’5′ icon=’popover-balance’]
5. Writ of Restitution Execution Fee
In Arizona, if a tenant remains at the premises after the writ expires, a sheriff or constable may execute the writ by removing the tenant from the premises.
They can charge a fee of $48 plus [ttip number=’6′ icon=’popover-balance’] $40 per hour per deputy or constable for actual time spent (in excess of 3 hours) for executing the writ or returning to the property to remove the tenant.
6. Notice of Appeal Filing Fee
If either party chooses to file an Appeal, they may do so as long as the Notice of Appeal is filed within 5 calendar days of the judgment. If the eviction was originally filed in the Justice Court, the Appeal will be transferred and heard in Superior Court. The filing fee is $203. Note, the Notice of Appeal fee is applicable to all counties in Arizona.
7. Copy Fee
In Arizona, if either party wants to make copies of any document at Justice Court or Superior Court, the fee is $0.50 per page. Note, the copy fee is applicable to all counties in Arizona.
Sources
- 1 AZ Rev Stat. § 22-281 (2022)
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An Initial case filing fee…Forcible entry and detainer filings $35.00
- 2 AZ Rev Stat. § 11-445 (2022)
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A. The sheriff shall receive the following fees in civil actions:
1. For serving each true copy of the original summons in a civil suit, $16
- 3 AZ. Rev. Stat. § 12-3301 (2022)
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C. A private process server may charge such fees for services as may be agreed on between the process server and the party engaging the process server.
- 4 AZ Rev Stat. § 22-281 (2022)
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Issuance of writs 28.00
- 5 AZ Rev Stat. § 11-445 (2022)
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10. For posting or serving any notice, process, writ, order, pleading or paper required or allowed by law, not otherwise provided for, $16 except that posting for a writ of restitution shall not exceed $10.
- 6 AZ Rev Stat. § 11-445 (2022)
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8. For executing and returning each writ of possession or restitution, $48 plus a rate of $40 per hour per deputy or constable for the actual time spent in excess of three hours.
- 7 AZ Rev Stat. § 11-445 (2022)
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Per page fee $0.50 copies of any document per page
