2026 Guide All 50 States
How to File Small Claims Court by State
Select your state for a complete guide — filing fees, claim limits, statute of limitations, and step-by-step instructions.
Select Your State
Alabama
Max: $6,000 · Fee: $45–$85
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Alaska
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $30–$100
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Arizona
Max: $3,500 · Fee: $29–$78
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Arkansas
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $35–$65
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California
Max: $12,500 · Fee: $30–$100
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Colorado
Max: $7,500 · Fee: $31–$55
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Connecticut
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $35–$75
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Delaware
Max: $25,000 · Fee: $35–$100
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Florida
Max: $8,000 · Fee: $55–$300
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Georgia
Max: $15,000 · Fee: $45–$75
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Hawaii
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $35–$60
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Idaho
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $33–$66
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Illinois
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $56–$254
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Indiana
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $35–$85
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Iowa
Max: $6,500 · Fee: $35–$65
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Kansas
Max: $4,000 · Fee: $35–$50
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Kentucky
Max: $2,500 · Fee: $28–$58
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Louisiana
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $75–$150
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Maine
Max: $6,000 · Fee: $50–$80
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Maryland
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $34–$58
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Massachusetts
Max: $7,000 · Fee: $40–$150
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Michigan
Max: $6,500 · Fee: $30–$70
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Minnesota
Max: $15,000 · Fee: $75–$110
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Mississippi
Max: $3,500 · Fee: $35–$60
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Missouri
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $35–$60
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Montana
Max: $7,000 · Fee: $30–$70
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Nebraska
Max: $3,600 · Fee: $29–$45
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Nevada
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $46–$92
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New Hampshire
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $45–$95
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New Jersey
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $35–$75
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New Mexico
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $35–$65
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New York
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $15–$20
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North Carolina
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $96–$156
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North Dakota
Max: $15,000 · Fee: $35–$65
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Ohio
Max: $6,000 · Fee: $35–$80
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Oklahoma
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $45–$95
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Oregon
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $52–$95
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Pennsylvania
Max: $12,000 · Fee: $45–$100
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Rhode Island
Max: $2,500 · Fee: $75–$85
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South Carolina
Max: $7,500 · Fee: $80–$140
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South Dakota
Max: $12,000 · Fee: $40–$75
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Tennessee
Max: $25,000 · Fee: $75–$170
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Texas
Max: $20,000 · Fee: $54–$121
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Utah
Max: $11,000 · Fee: $60–$100
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Vermont
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $55–$90
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Virginia
Max: $5,000 · Fee: $30–$75
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Washington
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $31–$50
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West Virginia
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $30–$100
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Wisconsin
Max: $10,000 · Fee: $50–$95
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Wyoming
Max: $6,000 · Fee: $25–$55
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Small Claims Court — All States at a Glance
| State | Court Name | Max Claim | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Small Claims Court | $6,000 | $45–$85 |
| Alaska | District Court | $10,000 | $30–$100 |
| Arizona | Justice Court | $3,500 | $29–$78 |
| Arkansas | Small Claims Division | $5,000 | $35–$65 |
| California | Small Claims Court | $12,500 | $30–$100 |
| Colorado | County Court | $7,500 | $31–$55 |
| Connecticut | Small Claims Court | $5,000 | $35–$75 |
| Delaware | Justice of the Peace Court | $25,000 | $35–$100 |
| Florida | County Court | $8,000 | $55–$300 |
| Georgia | Magistrate Court | $15,000 | $45–$75 |
| Hawaii | Small Claims Division | $5,000 | $35–$60 |
| Idaho | Small Claims Department | $5,000 | $33–$66 |
| Illinois | Small Claims Court | $10,000 | $56–$254 |
| Indiana | Small Claims Court | $10,000 | $35–$85 |
| Iowa | Small Claims Court | $6,500 | $35–$65 |
| Kansas | Small Claims Court | $4,000 | $35–$50 |
| Kentucky | Small Claims Court | $2,500 | $28–$58 |
| Louisiana | City Court / Justice of the Peace | $5,000 | $75–$150 |
| Maine | District Court | $6,000 | $50–$80 |
| Maryland | District Court | $5,000 | $34–$58 |
| Massachusetts | Small Claims Session | $7,000 | $40–$150 |
| Michigan | Small Claims Division | $6,500 | $30–$70 |
| Minnesota | Conciliation Court | $15,000 | $75–$110 |
| Mississippi | Justice Court | $3,500 | $35–$60 |
| Missouri | Small Claims Court | $5,000 | $35–$60 |
| Montana | Justice Court | $7,000 | $30–$70 |
| Nebraska | County Court | $3,600 | $29–$45 |
| Nevada | Justice Court | $10,000 | $46–$92 |
| New Hampshire | District Court | $10,000 | $45–$95 |
| New Jersey | Special Civil Part | $5,000 | $35–$75 |
| New Mexico | Magistrate Court | $10,000 | $35–$65 |
| New York | Small Claims Court | $10,000 | $15–$20 |
| North Carolina | Magistrate Court | $10,000 | $96–$156 |
| North Dakota | Small Claims Court | $15,000 | $35–$65 |
| Ohio | Small Claims Division | $6,000 | $35–$80 |
| Oklahoma | Small Claims Court | $10,000 | $45–$95 |
| Oregon | Small Claims Department | $10,000 | $52–$95 |
| Pennsylvania | Magisterial District Court | $12,000 | $45–$100 |
| Rhode Island | Small Claims Court | $2,500 | $75–$85 |
| South Carolina | Magistrate Court | $7,500 | $80–$140 |
| South Dakota | Small Claims Court | $12,000 | $40–$75 |
| Tennessee | General Sessions Court | $25,000 | $75–$170 |
| Texas | Justice Court | $20,000 | $54–$121 |
| Utah | Small Claims Court | $11,000 | $60–$100 |
| Vermont | Small Claims Court | $5,000 | $55–$90 |
| Virginia | General District Court | $5,000 | $30–$75 |
| Washington | Small Claims Department | $10,000 | $31–$50 |
| West Virginia | Magistrate Court | $10,000 | $30–$100 |
| Wisconsin | Small Claims Court | $10,000 | $50–$95 |
| Wyoming | Circuit Court | $6,000 | $25–$55 |