Small claims, state by state

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources:

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources:

• Ala. Code §12-12-31(a) · effective 2015-08-01 · The small claims docket of the district court hears money claims of up to $6,000, not counting interest and costs.
• AS 22.15.040(a) · effective 2000-01-01 · A district judge or magistrate judge hears a claim of up to $10,000 as a small claim when asked, unless the State of Alaska is the defendant. You can bring a larger claim but must give up the amount over $10,000.
• A.R.S. §22-503(A) · effective 2025-09-26 · The small claims division of the justice court hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs.
• Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704 · effective 2017-01-01 · The small claims division of the district court hears contract, property damage, and personal property claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs. Collection agencies, assignees, and money lenders cannot use it.
• Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221 · effective 2024-01-01 · An individual can bring a claim for up to $12,500 in small claims court.
• C.R.S. 13-6-403(1) · effective 2001-09-01 · The small claims division of the county court hears money and personal property claims of up to $7,500, not counting interest and costs.
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §51-15(d) · effective 2022-07-01 · Small claims in Connecticut hears money claims of up to $5,000. Claims about home improvement or new home construction work by a registered contractor can go up to $15,000, and a tenant's security deposit claim can be awarded above the limit.
• 10 Del. C. §9301 · effective 2020-08-25 · The Justice of the Peace Court hears money claims of up to $25,000, including contract claims and claims for damage to personal property.
• D.C. Code §11-1321 · effective 2016-12-14 · The Small Claims and Conciliation Branch hears money claims of up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs.
• Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b) · effective 2026-07-01 · Small claims court in Florida hears money claims of up to $8,000, not counting costs, interest, and fees.
• O.C.G.A. §15-10-2(a)(5) · effective 2024-04-24 · Magistrate court hears civil claims where the amount demanded is $15,000 or less.
• HRS §633-27(a) · effective 2011-07-01 · The small claims division of the district court hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs. A dispute between a tenant and landlord about a residential security deposit is heard there with no dollar limit.
• Idaho Code §1-2301 · effective 2026-07-01 · The small claims department hears money claims of up to $15,000. It cannot award punitive damages or damages for pain and suffering.
• Ill. S. Ct. Rule 281 · effective 2022-01-01 · A small claim in Illinois is a money claim of $10,000 or less, not counting interest and costs, based on a contract or on harm someone caused.
• Ind. Code §33-29-2-4 · effective 2021-07-01 · The small claims docket hears money claims of up to $10,000. Marion County's township small claims courts have the same $10,000 limit. Filing there means giving up any amount above the limit.
• Iowa Code §631.1(1)(b) · effective 2019-07-01 · Small claims court in Iowa hears money claims of $6,500 or less, not counting interest and costs.
• K.S.A. 61-2703(a) · effective 2024-07-01 · A small claim in Kansas is a claim for money or personal property of up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs. A claim that was assigned to you, or that you hold for someone else, cannot be brought as a small claim.
• KRS 24A.230(1) · effective 2011-06-08 · The small claims division of district court hears money claims of up to $2,500, not counting interest and costs.
• La. R.S. 13:5202(A) · effective 2020-06-11 · A city court small claims division hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest, costs, and penalties. Justice of the peace courts have the same $5,000 limit under Code of Civil Procedure article 4911.
• 14 M.R.S. §7482 · effective 2026-01-01 · Small claims court in Maine hears money claims of up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs. The limit rose from $6,000 on January 1, 2026.
• Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405 · effective 2003-10-01 · Small claims in the District Court are money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs.
• G.L. c. 218, §21 · effective 2021-12-13 · Small claims in Massachusetts hears money claims of up to $7,000. Property damage from a motor vehicle accident has no dollar cap in small claims.
• MCL 600.8401 · effective 2024-01-01 · The small claims division of the district court hears money claims of up to $7,000.
• Minn. Stat. 491A.01 subd. 3a · effective 2024-08-01 · Conciliation court hears money claims of up to $20,000. A claim about a consumer credit transaction is capped at $4,000.
• Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9 · effective 2008-07-24 · Justice court hears claims for money or personal property of up to $3,500.
• RSMo 482.305(1) · effective 2011-08-28 · Small claims court hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs.
• MCA 25-35-502(1) · effective 2011-10-01 · Small claims court hears claims for money or personal property of up to $7,000, not counting costs, when the other side can be served in the county.
• Neb. Rev. Stat. §25-2802 · effective 2025-07-01 · Nebraska's small claims court, a division of county court, hears money claims of up to $7,500.
• NRS 73.010 · effective 2019-10-01 · Nevada's small claims court, a division of the justice court, hears money claims of up to $10,000.
• RSA 503:1 · effective 2015-07-01 · New Hampshire's small claims process hears money claims of up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs.
• NJ Courts, Small Claims Court self-help · effective 2026-09-05 · New Jersey's small claims court hears money claims of up to $5,000, including a return of a security deposit. The filing fee is $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant. New Jersey does not require a written demand before filing a small claim; asking first is still the usual first step.
• NMSA 1978 §35-3-3 · effective 2024-01-01 · New Mexico's magistrate court hears money claims of up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs.
• N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1801 · effective 2023-07-07 · In New York City, small claims court hears money claims of up to $10,000.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. §7A-210(1) · effective 2013-08-01 · A small claim is a money dispute of up to $10,000 that you ask to have heard by a magistrate. Some counties set a lower ceiling by local rule, between $5,000 and $10,000.
• N.D.C.C. §27-08.1-01(1) · effective 2025-08-01 · Small claims court in North Dakota hears money claims of up to $15,000. A claim cannot be filed by someone it was assigned to.
• Ohio Rev. Code §1925.02(A)(1) · effective 2025-04-09 · A small claims division hears claims for money only, up to $6,000, not counting interest and court costs.
• 12 Okla. Stat. §1751(A), (B) · effective 2024-11-01 · The small claims procedure covers money claims of up to $10,000. Collection agencies and people a claim was assigned to cannot use it.
• ORS 46.405(3) · effective 2020-01-01 · The small claims department of the circuit court hears claims for money or property worth up to $10,000. Claims of $750 or less must be brought there.
• 42 Pa.C.S. §1515(a)(3) · effective 2011-01-22 · A magisterial district judge can hear a money claim of up to $12,000, not counting interest and costs. Claims against a state agency go elsewhere.
• R.I. Gen. Laws §10-16-1 · effective 2021-07-03 · Small claims in Rhode Island covers money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs, that are based on an agreement, a retail purchase, services, or a check or note. Filing as a small claim means giving up the right to appeal.
• S.C. Code §22-3-10 · effective 2004-03-05 · A magistrate court can hear a money claim of up to $7,500. Larger claims go to the circuit court.
• SDCL 15-39-45.1 · effective 2011-07-01 · A small claim in South Dakota cannot be for more than $12,000, not counting costs.
• Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1) · effective 2024-01-02 · A general sessions court can hear a money claim of up to $25,000. Tennessee has no separate small claims court; these cases are filed as civil warrants in general sessions.
• Tex. Gov't Code §27.031(a)(1) · effective 2019-06-02 · A justice court can hear a money dispute of up to $20,000.
• Utah Code §78A-8-102 · effective 2025-01-01 · In Utah, small claims court hears money claims of up to $20,000, including representation fees but not court costs or interest.
• 12 V.S.A. §5531 · effective 2024-01-01 · In Vermont, small claims court hears money claims of up to $10,000; a debt collection claim for a consumer credit account or medical bill is capped at $5,000.
• Va. Code §16.1-122.2 · effective 2006-07-01 · In Virginia, the small claims division hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest.
• RCW 12.40.010 · effective 2019-07-28 · A person can bring a small claim for up to $10,000. A business or other entity can bring one for up to $5,000.
• W. Va. Code §50-2-1 · effective 2025-07-07 · In West Virginia, magistrate court hears money claims of up to $20,000, not counting interest and costs.
• Wis. Stat. §799.01(1)(d) · effective 2011-07-01 · In Wisconsin, small claims court hears most money claims of up to $10,000; a claim based in tort, such as property damage from someone's carelessness, is capped at $5,000.
• Wyoming Judicial Branch, Small Claims · effective 2026-09-05 · In Wyoming, small claims court hears money claims of up to $6,000. The filing fee is $10, plus a separate charge to have the papers delivered to the other side. Wyoming does not require a written demand before filing.

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