The total cost of an eviction in Missouri for all filing, court, and service fees is $133. However, the cost varies heavily based on the county where the dwelling unit is located. Eviction lawsuits are filed in Circuit Court. [ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’]
| Fee | Circuit |
| Initial Court Filing | $33.50+ |
| Summons Service | ~$50 |
| Writ of Restitution Service | ~$50 |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $70 |
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 Missouri, if the eviction notice expires or after a demand for rent is made and the tenant remains on the property without correcting the issue, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (“Unlawful Detainer”) with the court the following business day.
For nonpayment of rent, the eviction lawsuit is called a “Rent & Possession Action” and an eviction lawsuit for illegal activity is called “Emergency Eviction.”
The filing fee for an initial Unlawful Detainer varies by county. For example, in Clay County, the filing fee is $33.50 and in St. Charles County the filing fee is $48.50.
2. Summons Service Fee
Once a Petition is filed in Missouri, 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 may charge up to $50 [ttip number=’2′ icon=’popover-balance’] for delivering a Summons; however, a specially appointed process server may charge more.
3. Writ of Restitution Service Fee
In Missouri, 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. A sheriff must serve the Writ of Restitution to the tenant. They may charge a service fee that does not exceed $50. [ttip number=’3′ icon=’popover-balance’]
4. 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 10 calendar days of the judgment. The filing fee is $70. Note, the Notice of Appeal fee is applicable to all counties in Missouri.
Sources
- 1 MO Rev Stat § 535.020 (2022)
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the landlord or agent may file a statement, verified by affidavit, with any associate circuit judge in the county in which the property is situated,
- 2 MO Rev Stat § 57.280 (2022)
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5. Sheriffs shall receive up to fifty dollars for service of any summons,… in connection with any eviction proceeding, in addition to the charge for such service that each sheriff receives under this section.
- 3 MO Rev Stat § 57.280 (2022)
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5. Sheriffs shall receive up to fifty dollars for service of any writ…in connection with any eviction proceeding, in addition to the charge for such service that each sheriff receives under this section.