How to File in Small Claims Court
Free state-by-state guides with filing fees, dollar limits, required forms, and step-by-step instructions.
Why Small Claims Court?
Small claims court is designed for self-represented claimants. Court limits, fees, service rules, and local forms can change, so verify the local court source before filing.
Alabama
VerifiedLimit: $6,000 - Fee: Varies by county and claim amount
Local rules vary
Alaska
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: $50-$100
Local rules vary
Arizona
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $30 plus local fees
Local rules vary
Arkansas
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $65 plus service
Local rules vary
California
VariesLimit: Up to $12,500 - Fee: $30-$75
Local rules vary
Colorado
VerifiedLimit: $7,500 - Fee: $31-$55
Local rules vary
Connecticut
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $95
Local rules vary
Delaware
VerifiedLimit: $25,000 - Fee: $35-$45
Local rules vary
District of Columbia
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: $5-$45 plus service
Local rules vary
Florida
VariesLimit: Up to $8,000 - Fee: Varies by claim and county
Local rules vary
Georgia
VerifiedLimit: $15,000 - Fee: Varies by county and service
Local rules vary
Hawaii
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $35
Local rules vary
Idaho
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $69
Local rules vary
Illinois
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: Varies by county
Local rules vary
Indiana
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: $35 plus service
Local rules vary
Iowa
VerifiedLimit: $6,500 - Fee: $95 plus service/postage
Local rules vary
Kansas
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: Verify with clerk
Local rules vary
Kentucky
VerifiedLimit: $2,500 - Fee: Verify with clerk
Local rules vary
Louisiana
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: Varies by court
Local rules vary
Maine
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: $70 plus service
Local rules vary
Maryland
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $34 plus service
Local rules vary
Massachusetts
VerifiedLimit: $7,000 - Fee: $40-$150
Local rules vary
Michigan
VerifiedLimit: $7,000 - Fee: $30-$70 plus service
Local rules vary
Minnesota
VerifiedLimit: $20,000 / $4,000 consumer credit - Fee: $65 plus possible e-filing/service
Local rules vary
Mississippi
VerifiedLimit: $3,500 - Fee: Varies by county
Local rules vary
Missouri
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $20.50 plus service/local costs
Local rules vary
Montana
VerifiedLimit: $7,000 - Fee: Varies by court plus service
Local rules vary
Nebraska
VerifiedLimit: $7,500 - Fee: $28 plus service
Local rules vary
Nevada
VerifiedLimit: Less than $10,000 - Fee: Varies by claim amount/court
Local rules vary
New Hampshire
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: $90-$145
Local rules vary
New Jersey
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $35 plus $5/additional defendant and service
Local rules vary
New Mexico
VariesLimit: $10,000 magistrate civil jurisdiction - Fee: $77 magistrate civil filing
Local rules vary
New York
VariesLimit: $10,000 NYC / $5,000 city or Nassau-Suffolk / $3,000 town-village - Fee: $15-$20
Local rules vary
North Carolina
VariesLimit: Up to $10,000 - Fee: $96 + service
Local rules vary
North Dakota
VerifiedLimit: $15,000 - Fee: $20
Local rules vary
Ohio
VerifiedLimit: $6,000 - Fee: Varies by court
Local rules vary
Oklahoma
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: Varies by county
Local rules vary
Oregon
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 - Fee: $57-$102
Local rules vary
Pennsylvania
VerifiedLimit: $12,000 - Fee: Varies by claim/service
Local rules vary
Rhode Island
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: $55 plus e-filing/technology/card fees
Local rules vary
South Carolina
VerifiedLimit: $7,500 - Fee: Varies by county; often about $80
Local rules vary
South Dakota
VerifiedLimit: $12,000 - Fee: $24.26-$42.26 including listed postage
Local rules vary
Tennessee
VerifiedLimit: $25,000 - Fee: Varies by county
Local rules vary
Texas
VerifiedLimit: $20,000 - Fee: $54 + service
Utah
VerifiedLimit: $20,000 - Fee: $60-$185
Local rules vary
Vermont
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 / $5,000 consumer-credit or medical debt - Fee: $65-$90
Local rules vary
Virginia
VerifiedLimit: $5,000 - Fee: Varies by court/service
Local rules vary
Washington
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 natural person / $5,000 other plaintiffs - Fee: $35 or $50
Local rules vary
West Virginia
VerifiedLimit: $20,000 - Fee: $30-$50 by claim amount
Local rules vary
Wisconsin
VerifiedLimit: $10,000 / $5,000 tort-personal injury - Fee: Usually $94.50 plus service/eFiling charges
Local rules vary
Wyoming
VerifiedLimit: $6,000 - Fee: $10 plus service
Local rules vary