Small Claims Court by County
County-specific small claims guides for major US metros. Each page covers the exact courthouse address, filing fee, claim limit, service rules, and step-by-step instructions — sourced from official .gov court websites.
Jump to a State
California
California statewide guide →Florida
Florida statewide guide →Illinois
Illinois statewide guide →New Jersey
New Jersey statewide guide →New York
New York statewide guide →Texas
Texas statewide guide →Why County Guides Matter for Small Claims
Fees Vary Within States
Even within the same state, counties can charge dramatically different filing fees. Cook County, IL charges ~$264 while most other Illinois counties charge $100–$150. LA County and NYC are on opposite ends of the spectrum — $100 vs $20.
File in the Correct County
Small claims cases must be filed in the county where the defendant lives, works, or where the dispute occurred. Filing in the wrong county results in dismissal or transfer — always confirm jurisdiction before filing.
Court-Specific Rules
Some counties have unique rules: Florida requires mandatory pre-trial mediation, Texas has 16 JP precincts within Harris County, and NYC Small Claims Court holds evening sessions and handles service for you.
Growing Coverage
We're continuously adding county guides for high-population metros. All data is sourced from official .gov court websites and updated when fee schedules change.