Small claims in Alaska
The court
- District Court, Small Claims
- The district court nearest where the other side lives or works, heard by a district judge or magistrate judge under the small claims rules.
The most you can claim
| Claiming as | Most you can claim | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| An individual | $10,000 | AS 22.15.040(a) |
| A business | $10,000 | AS 22.15.040(a) |
| A public agency | $10,000 | AS 22.15.040(a) |
What it costs to file
The fee runs from $50 to $100, set by the size of the claim.
Alaska Administrative Rule 9(a) · The filing fee is $50 when the claim is $2,500 or less and $100 when it is more than $2,500.
How long you have
The shortest window in this state is 2 years from the day the damage happened.
AS 09.10.070(a)(3) · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within two years of the damage.
Also worth knowing
- A claim against the State of Alaska cannot be heard as a small claim. A claim against a city or borough can be. AS 22.15.040(a)
Does small claims fit your dispute in Alaska?
Pick what it is about. The next screens ask the amount and the dates. Nothing is saved, and no account is needed.
The detail
- The limit
The limit is the most the court can award on one claim. It depends on who is claiming, and in some states on which court hears it.
- What it costs
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
- How long you have
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.
Common questions
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Alaska?
- An individual can claim up to $10,000. A business can claim up to $10,000. A public agency can claim up to $10,000. That comes from AS 22.15.040(a).
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Alaska?
- $50 for a claim up to $2,500. $100 for a claim up to $10,000. That comes from Alaska Administrative Rule 9(a).
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Alaska?
- The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under AS 09.10.070(a)(3). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Alaska?
- No, Alaska does not require it, per Alaska Court System, Small Claims Handbook (SC-100). Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.
- Which court handles small claims in Alaska?
- District Court, Small Claims. The district court nearest where the other side lives or works, heard by a district judge or magistrate judge under the small claims rules.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Alaska's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2021-08-01.
- 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.
- Alaska Administrative Rule 9(a) · effective 2018-01-01 · The filing fee is $50 when the claim is $2,500 or less and $100 when it is more than $2,500.
- AS 09.10.070(a)(3) · effective 1997-08-07 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within two years of the damage.
- Alaska Court System, Small Claims Handbook (SC-100) · effective 2021-08-01 · Alaska does not require a written demand before filing a small claim. Asking first is still the usual first step.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.