The filing fee is the first cost that comes into play when pursuing a civil lawsuit. Depending on the case type and court, the fees may vary. Typically, these costs cover administrative expenses such as document certification and record retrieval. In some cases, the prevailing party may seek to recover these costs as part of a judgment. However, these fees are often not included in damages awarded to plaintiffs because of the American Rule, which states that each party pays its own legal costs unless specified by law or contract.