All Legal ToolsFinder
Small Claims Court Limit Finder
See your state's small claims dollar limit and filing basics.
Small claims court lets you sue for money up to a dollar limit set by your state, and that cap varies widely from one state to the next. Use this finder to look up your state's limit, filing fee, whether lawyers are allowed and where to file. Each was read in an official source in November 2026, and the sources are listed below. This is general information, not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney about your situation.
Sources
The small claims limit, filing fee and rule on lawyers for each state and D.C., each with the statute, court rule or court fee page it was read in.
| State | Small claims limit | Filing fee | Lawyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,000 alison.legislature.state.al.us | Jefferson County (Birmingham): $66 for claims up to $1,500; $140 up to $3,000; $229 up to $6,000. Other counties differ. jefferson.alacourt.gov | Allowed alison.legislature.state.al.us |
| Alaska | $10,000 akleg.gov | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500 courts.alaska.gov | Allowed courts.alaska.gov |
| Arizona | $5,000 azleg.gov | State base fee $30, plus county fees. Maricopa County Justice Courts: $58 in total. Other counties differ. azcourts.gov | Not allowed unless all parties agree in writing azleg.gov |
| Arkansas | $5,000 arcourts.gov | Little Rock District Court (Pulaski County): $65, plus the cost of serving the defendant. Other district courts may differ. littlerock.gov | Not allowed; a case with a lawyer is moved to the regular civil docket opinions.arcourts.gov |
| California | $12,500 for a person; $6,250 for a business selfhelp.courts.ca.gov | $30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 up to $5,000; $75 up to $12,500; $100 if you filed more than 12 claims in the past 12 months courts.ca.gov | Not allowed in court; you may get a lawyer's advice beforehand selfhelp.courts.ca.gov |
| Colorado | $7,500 coloradojudicial.gov | $31 for claims up to $500; $55 for claims from $500.01 to $7,500 coloradojudicial.gov | Only if the defendant files a notice of attorney at least 7 days before trial; then the plaintiff may have one too coloradojudicial.gov |
| Connecticut | $5,000; $15,000 for home improvement and new home construction contract claims cga.ct.gov | $95, plus the cost of serving the defendant cga.ct.gov | Allowed jud.ct.gov |
| Delaware | $25,000 delcode.delaware.gov | Debt claims: $35 under $1,000; $40 from $1,000 to $5,000; $45 over $5,000. Service by the court is included. courts.delaware.gov | Allowed courts.delaware.gov |
| District of Columbia | $10,000 code.dccouncil.gov | Not confirmed. Check with the court clerk. | Allowed code.dccouncil.gov |
| Florida | $8,000 www-media.floridabar.org | Miami-Dade County: $55 for claims under $100; $80 up to $500; $175 up to $2,500; $300 up to $8,000, plus service. Other counties may differ. miamidadeclerk.gov | Allowed www-media.floridabar.org |
| Georgia | $15,000 for cases filed through December 31, 2026; $25,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2027 gov.georgia.gov | Fulton County Magistrate Court: $60 for one defendant, $8 for each additional; service by the Marshal is $50 per party. Other counties differ. magistratefulton.org | Allowed consumer.georgia.gov |
| Hawaii | $5,000; no limit for a tenant's claim to get back a residential security deposit courts.state.hi.us | $35, plus the cost of serving the defendant courts.state.hi.us | Allowed, except in residential security deposit cases courts.state.hi.us |
| Idaho | $15,000 legislature.idaho.gov | $69, plus the cost of serving the defendant courtselfhelp.idaho.gov | Not allowed in court; a lawyer may advise you beforehand legislature.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | $10,000 illinoiscourts.gov | Set by each county. Cook County: $287 for claims up to $2,500; $379 for larger claims (clerk's schedule dated May 21, 2026). A July 1, 2026 law lets counties charge $5 more. services.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org | Allowed. A corporation that files a claim must have a lawyer. illinoiscourts.gov |
| Indiana | $10,000 in.gov | $97 on paper or $87 e-filed, one defendant. Marion County township small claims courts: $130. in.gov | Allowed. A collector suing on an assigned or purchased debt must have a lawyer. rules.incourts.gov |
| Iowa | $6,500 legis.iowa.gov | $115 statewide (raised from $95 on July 1, 2026). Serving the other side costs extra; postage for mailed notice is $20. iowacourts.gov | Allowed legis.iowa.gov |
| Kansas | $10,000 ksrevisor.gov | $47.50 for claims up to $500; $67.50 for larger claims ($35 or $55 docket fee plus a $12.50 court surcharge). ksrevisor.gov | Not allowed before judgment, unless the other side is a lawyer or uses one. ksrevisor.gov |
| Kentucky | $2,500 apps.legislature.ky.gov | $68 statewide: $38 filing fee plus $20 court technology and $10 access to justice fees. Some counties add a $10 facilities fee and a library fee. kycourts.gov | Allowed apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | $5,000 legis.la.gov | Set by each court. Baton Rouge City Court: $86.50 for one defendant, $35 for each additional defendant (effective January 1, 2026). brla.gov | Allowed; a court may limit a lawyer's role by local rule. legis.la.gov |
| Maine | $10,000 legislature.maine.gov | $70 statewide. Having the court serve the other party is optional and costs $30 per party. courts.maine.gov | Allowed courts.maine.gov |
| Maryland | $5,000 mgaleg.maryland.gov | $44 statewide. Service is extra: $20 per defendant by certified mail through the clerk, or $60 by sheriff or constable. courts.state.md.us | Allowed courts.state.md.us |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 malegislature.gov | $40 for claims of $500 or less; $50 for $501 to $2,000; $100 for $2,001 to $5,000; $150 for $5,001 to $7,000. Each includes a $10 surcharge. mass.gov | Allowed; the court may limit a lawyer's role mass.gov |
| Michigan | $7,000 legislature.mi.gov | $30 for claims up to $600; $50 for claims over $600 up to $1,750; $70 for claims over $1,750. Includes the $5 e-filing system fee. legislature.mi.gov | Not allowed. Either side can move the case to the regular district court docket, where lawyers can appear. legislature.mi.gov |
| Minnesota | $20,000 ($4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction) revisor.mn.gov | $65 statewide, plus a county law library fee that each county sets. revisor.mn.gov | Allowed; the judge decides how much a lawyer may take part in the trial. revisor.mn.gov |
| Mississippi | $3,500 courts.ms.gov | Varies by county. DeSoto County Justice Court: $85 for one defendant; $100 for two defendants served at the same address. desotocountyms.gov | Allowed courts.ms.gov |
| Missouri | $5,000 revisor.mo.gov | Set by each circuit court. Jackson County (16th Circuit): $27.50, plus service at $10 per defendant by certified mail or $46 by sheriff's deputy. 16thcircuit.org | Allowed revisor.mo.gov |
| Montana | $7,000 mca.legmt.gov | $30: a $20 filing fee plus a $10 court technology surcharge. Service of process is extra. mca.legmt.gov | Allowed only if every party has a lawyer mca.legmt.gov |
| Nebraska | $7,500 nebraskalegislature.gov | $58 statewide. Service by certified mail or sheriff is extra. nebraskajudicial.gov | Not allowed. A defendant can move the case to the regular county court docket, where lawyers are allowed. nebraskalegislature.gov |
| Nevada | $10,000 leg.state.nv.us | Set by statute by claim size: $45, $65, $85, $125 or $175, plus county add-on fees. Sparks Justice Court charges $66 to $196. leg.state.nv.us | Allowed, but the winner cannot recover attorney fees washoecounty.gov |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 gc.nh.gov | Not confirmed. Check with the court clerk. | Allowed. The lawyer must file an appearance at least 7 days before the hearing. gc.nh.gov |
| New Jersey | $5,000 njcourts.gov | $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant. Service by mail is charged per defendant on top. njcourts.gov | Allowed njcourts.gov |
| New Mexico | $10,000 selfrepresentation.nmcourts.gov | $77: a $72 civil docket fee plus a $5 mediation fee. metro.nmcourts.gov | Allowed nmonesource.com |
| New York | $10,000 in New York City; $5,000 in other city courts and in the Nassau and Suffolk district courts; $3,000 in town and village courts nysenate.gov | $15 for claims up to $1,000 and $20 above that in New York City, city and district courts; $10 and $15 in town and village courts. nysenate.gov | Allowed legacypdf.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net |
| North Carolina | Up to $10,000 by statute; the local limit runs from $5,000 to $10,000 and is set by local rule in each county ncleg.gov | $96 statewide. Sheriff service is $30 more per defendant. nccourts.gov | Allowed nccourts.gov |
| North Dakota | $15,000 ndlegis.gov | $20 statewide (raised from $10 on July 1, 2025). Serving the defendant is up to the plaintiff and is not included. ndlegis.gov | Allowed ndcourts.gov |
| Ohio | $6,000 codes.ohio.gov | Set by each court. Franklin County Municipal Court (Columbus) charges $92, plus service fees for each defendant. fcmcclerk.com | Allowed codes.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 oscn.net | $58 for claims up to $5,000; $212.89 above that ($225.39 where the county adds a courthouse security fee). Service is extra. mccurtain.okcounties.org | Allowed oscn.net |
| Oregon | $10,000 oregonlegislature.gov | $57 for claims of $2,500 or less; $102 for claims over $2,500. Service is extra. courts.oregon.gov | Allowed only if the judge consents oregonlegislature.gov |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 palegis.us | By claim size: $68.50, $91, $114 or $171 in 2026; $70, $93.50, $117 or $175 from January 1, 2027. Postage is extra. pacourts.us | Allowed pacodeandbulletin.gov |
| Rhode Island | $5,000 webserver.rilegislature.gov | $75.75 ($55 filing fee, $17.50 case processing fee, $3.25 technology surcharge). Service by a sheriff or constable is extra. courts.ri.gov | Allowed. A corporation must use a lawyer, except a small close corporation that is the plaintiff. courts.ri.gov |
| South Carolina | $7,500 scstatehouse.gov | $80 for a summons and complaint, the same in every county. Higher fees take effect January 1, 2027. sccourts.org | Allowed sccourts.org |
| South Dakota | $12,000 sdlegislature.gov | $24.84 for claims up to $100; $30.84 up to $1,000; $40.84 up to $3,999.99; $42.84 for $4,000 to $12,000. Includes certified mail to one defendant. ujs.sd.gov | Allowed ujs.sd.gov |
| Tennessee | $25,000 capitol.tn.gov | Set by county. Davidson County General Sessions Court: $145.75 for a civil warrant, including $52 for service by the sheriff. circuitclerk.nashville.gov | Allowed shelbygeneralsessions.com |
| Texas | $20,000 statutes.capitol.texas.gov | $54 in every justice court ($21 state fee plus $33 local fee). Serving the citation costs extra. txcourts.gov | Allowed txcourts.gov |
| Utah | $20,000 le.utah.gov | $60 for claims of $2,000 or less; $100 for claims over $2,000 and under $7,500; $185 for claims of $7,500 or more. le.utah.gov | Allowed le.utah.gov |
| Vermont | $10,000 legislature.vermont.gov | $65 for claims of $1,000 or less; $90 for claims over $1,000. A sheriff's service fee may be added. legislature.vermont.gov | Allowed vtcourts.gov |
| Virginia | $5,000 law.lis.virginia.gov | Set by each court. Fairfax County General District Court: $52 filing fee plus $12 for each party the sheriff serves. fairfaxcounty.gov | Not allowed. A defendant may use a lawyer only to move the case to the regular General District Court docket. law.lis.virginia.gov |
| Washington | $10,000 for an individual; $5,000 for a business or other plaintiff app.leg.wa.gov | $35 or $50, depending on the county ($35 state fee plus a county surcharge of up to $15). Service costs extra. app.leg.wa.gov | Not allowed unless the judge consents app.leg.wa.gov |
| West Virginia | $20,000 code.wvlegislature.gov | $50 for claims up to $500; $55 up to $1,000; $60 up to $2,000; $70 from $2,000.01 to $20,000. Service fees are extra. courtswv.gov | Allowed code.wvlegislature.gov |
| Wisconsin | $10,000; $15,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2027. Personal injury and other tort claims: $5,000. docs.legis.wisconsin.gov | $124 ($131.50 in Milwaukee County); add $35 for e-filing. Service by mail is $7 per defendant. wicourts.gov | Allowed docs.legis.wisconsin.gov |
| Wyoming | $6,000 wyoleg.gov | $10. The sheriff or a process server charges separately to serve each summons. wyocourts.gov | Allowed. If one side brings a lawyer, the other side is entitled to a postponement to get one. wyoleg.gov |
Figures checked on November 10, 2026. Where a state leaves the fee to each court, the table names one court and gives that court's own figure; other courts in the state charge differently. Filing fees usually don't include the cost of serving the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the small claims limit in my state?
+
Each state sets its own maximum. Among the limits we confirmed in November 2026, the lowest is $2,500 (Kentucky) and the highest is $25,000 (Delaware's Justice of the Peace Court and Tennessee's General Sessions Court). Select your state to see its limit, filing fee, where to file and whether lawyers are allowed, each with its official source.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court?
+
No. Small claims court is built to be used without a lawyer. Most states let you bring one anyway, and several do not: California, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska and Virginia bar lawyers from the small claims hearing itself. Select your state to see its rule and where it comes from.
Is this tool legal advice?
+
No. This tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Results are estimates and every case is different — always consult a licensed attorney in your state about your specific situation.
Talk to a Civil Litigation attorney near you
This tool gives general estimates. For guidance on your specific situation, connect with a licensed civil litigation attorney. Many offer a free or low-cost first consultation.
Find Civil Litigation Lawyers Near YouThis tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Results are estimates and outcomes vary by state and the facts of your case. Lawyers Near Me is not a law firm. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state about your specific situation.