Small Claims Court Limits by State (2026)
Compare the money limits for all 50 states and DC. Each row links to the source checked for that limit and identifies important differences by court, plaintiff or claim.
Limit sources checked: 51 of 51 jurisdictions. See each row for its check date.
Compare limits and filing information
This is a starting point for ordinary money claims, not a determination that your case qualifies. Local jurisdiction, claim exclusions, business rules and deadlines still apply. Some states use a general limited-jurisdiction court rather than a separate small-claims court.
A “limit checked” date applies to the stated limit and qualifications, not every law on this website. Numeric fees have a separate source and check date. Where a fee schedule has not been checked, we direct you to the filing court instead of estimating the cost.
| State / court | Limit and qualifications | Filing fee information | Sources / dates checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Small Claims Court (within District Court) | $6,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Alaska Small Claims (District Court) | $10,000 | $50 (claim up to $2,500); $100 (larger claim) | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Arizona Small Claims Division (Justice Court) | $5,000 (excluding interest and costs) | Maricopa County: $58 complaint and summons; check other counties | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Additional authority / context Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Arkansas Small Claims Division (District Court) | $5,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| California Small Claims Court | $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (businesses and entities) | $30–$100, depending on claim and filing history | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Colorado Small Claims Court (County Court) | $7,500 | $31 (claim up to $500); $55 (larger claim) | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Connecticut Small Claims (Superior Court) | $5,000 generally; $15,000 for home-improvement contracts; residential security-deposit exception | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Delaware Justice of the Peace Court | $25,000 (Justice of the Peace Court) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| District of Columbia Small Claims and Conciliation Branch (DC Superior Court) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Florida Small Claims Court (County Court) | $8,000 (excluding costs, interest, and attorney’s fees) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Georgia Magistrate Court | $15,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Hawaii Small Claims Division (District Court) | $5,000 (no limit for security-deposit return claims) | $35 filing fee; confirm current court charges | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Idaho Small Claims Department (Magistrate Court) | $15,000 (effective July 1, 2026) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Illinois Small Claims Court (Circuit Court) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Indiana Small Claims Court (or township Small Claims Court) | $10,000 (including Marion County; procedures differ) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Additional authority / context |
| Iowa Small Claims Court (District Court) | $6,500 | $115 filing fee; service costs additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Kansas Small Claims Court (District Court) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Kentucky Small Claims Division (District Court) | $2,500 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Louisiana Small Claims (City Court / Parish Court) | $5,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Maine Small Claims Court (District Court) | $10,000 (effective January 1, 2026) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Maryland Small Claims (District Court) | $5,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Massachusetts Small Claims (District Court / BMC) | $7,000 (no cap for certain motor-vehicle property-damage claims) | $40–$150, depending on claim amount | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Michigan Small Claims Division (District Court) | $7,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Minnesota Conciliation Court | $20,000 generally; $4,000 for consumer-credit transactions | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Mississippi Justice Court | $3,500 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Additional authority / context |
| Missouri Small Claims Court (Circuit Court / Associate Division) | $5,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Montana Small Claims Court (Justice Court) | $7,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Nebraska Small Claims Court (County Court) | $7,500 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Nevada Small Claims Court (Justice Court) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| New Hampshire Small Claims (Circuit Court – District Division) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| New Jersey Small Claims Section (Special Civil Part, Superior Court) | $5,000 ($20,000 in the broader Special Civil Part) | $35 for one defendant; $5 each additional defendant | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| New Mexico Metropolitan Court / Magistrate Court | $10,000 (Metropolitan Court); $10,000 in Magistrate Court | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Additional authority / context |
| New York Small Claims Court (varies by court) | $10,000 in NYC; $5,000 in other city/district courts; $3,000 in town/village courts | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| North Carolina Small Claims Court (Magistrate) | $5,000–$10,000, depending on the county | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| North Dakota Small Claims Court (District Court) | $15,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Ohio Small Claims Division (Municipal or County Court) | $6,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Oklahoma Small Claims Court (District Court) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Oregon Small Claims Department (Circuit Court) | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court (Philadelphia: Municipal Court) | $12,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Rhode Island Small Claims Court (District Court) | $5,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| South Carolina Magistrate Court | $7,500 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| South Dakota Small Claims Court (Magistrate / Circuit Court) | $12,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Tennessee General Sessions Court | $25,000 generally; separate rules for eviction and recovery of personal property | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Texas Justice Court (Small Claims docket) | $20,000 (includes attorney fees; excludes statutory interest and court costs) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Utah Small Claims Court (Justice Court / District Court) | $20,000 (includes attorney fees; excludes court costs and interest) | $60–$185, depending on claim amount | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Vermont Small Claims Court (Superior Court – Civil Division) | $10,000 generally; $5,000 for certain consumer-credit and medical debts | $65 (up to $1,000); $90 (larger claim) | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Additional authority / context Fee sourceFee checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Virginia Small Claims Court (General District Court) | $5,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Washington Small Claims Department (District Court) | $10,000 for individuals; $5,000 for other plaintiffs | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 Additional authority / context |
| West Virginia Magistrate Court | $10,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Wisconsin Small Claims Court (Circuit Court) | $10,000 (no limit for eviction; $5,000 for some tort claims) | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
| Wyoming Small Claims Court (Circuit Court) | $6,000 | Check the filing court’s current fee schedule; service charges may be additional | Limit source Limit checked: 2026-09-29 |
Fees may exclude service, mailing, electronic-filing or other charges. Fee waivers may be available. Follow the current instructions of the court where you intend to file.
Sources and corrections
We checked the linked court, government and court self-help materials on the dates shown. The table summarizes their stated limits; it does not reproduce every exception or provide legal advice. Where sources distinguish plaintiff types or courts, those qualifications are included rather than calculating a national ranking or average.
Correction, September 29, 2026: Arizona’s previous $3,500 figure was outdated. The limit is $5,000 under A.R.S. § 22-503. The $58 complaint-and-summons fee shown here is for Maricopa County. This review also corrected limits for Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont, and clarified several court- and claim-specific exceptions.
Mississippi’s proposed 2026 increase in SB 2696 did not become law: the legislature’s status record says it died in committee. The Mississippi row links that record as additional context.
To cite this resource, use “Demand Letter Kit, Small Claims Court Limits by State” with this page’s URL and the relevant row’s check date. For legal authority, cite the underlying statute or court rule. Report a correction with the affected state and official source.
Before deciding whether to file
- Check whether the court can hear your claim and whether you meet its venue requirements.
- Check deadlines and any required notices. This table does not calculate your filing deadline.
- Keep contracts, receipts, messages and a calculation of the amount requested.
- Check filing and service costs, fee waivers, and how a judgment would be collected.
If a written request is appropriate, our generator can help organize the facts and amount you are asking for. It does not file a court case or provide legal representation.
Create a demand letterCommon questions
Is the small claims limit the same throughout a state?
Not always. North Carolina limits vary by county, and New York limits vary by court. Plaintiff type and claim type can also change the limit. Read the qualifications and linked source for your jurisdiction.
Are filing fees included in the limit?
The rules differ. Some jurisdictions exclude costs or interest but include attorney fees. Filing and service fees can also vary by court, amount and number of defendants. Check the court instructions and current fee schedule.
Does this table determine whether I can file?
No. A dollar limit is only one requirement. The court must also have jurisdiction over the parties and claim, and you must meet venue, deadline, notice and service rules. The linked official sources explain the next steps.
Do I need to send a demand letter first?
That depends on the claim and jurisdiction. A written request can document what you asked for, but specific notice requirements may apply. Do not assume that sending a letter extends a filing deadline or guarantees settlement.