How much can you claim in small claims court in Arkansas?

An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704.

What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Arkansas?

Arkansas does not set one statewide fee. Each court publishes its own, so check the court where you will file.

How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Arkansas?

The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Ark. Code §16-56-105(1), (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 Arkansas?

No, Arkansas does not require it, per Arkansas Judiciary, District Courts. 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 Arkansas?

District Court, Small Claims Division. The small claims division of the district court in the county where the other side lives or where the agreement was to be carried out.

Small claims in Arkansas

The court

District Court, Small Claims Division: The small claims division of the district court in the county where the other side lives or where the agreement was to be carried out.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Arkansas
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$5,000	Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704
A business	$5,000	Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704
A public agency	$5,000	Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704

What it costs to file

This state does not set one statewide fee. The court where you file publishes its own. Reported amounts run between $30 and $65.

Ark. Code §16-17-705(b)(2); §21-6-416 · The statewide filing fee for the small claims division is $50, and a $15 technology fee is added, so the total is usually about $65. Your district court clerk has the exact amount.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 3 years from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken.

Ark. Code §16-56-105(1), (3) · A claim based on a spoken agreement, or for damage to your personal property, must be filed within three years.

Also worth knowing

In Arkansas, collection agencies, assignees of a claim, and anyone in the business of lending money at interest cannot use the small claims division. A corporation can use it only if it is a closely held Arkansas corporation, and an officer must appear for it. Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704

Does small claims fit your dispute in Arkansas?

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 Arkansas?: An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 18, §§4, 5; Ark. Code §16-17-704.
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Arkansas?: Arkansas does not set one statewide fee. Each court publishes its own, so check the court where you will file.
How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Arkansas?: The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Ark. Code §16-56-105(1), (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 Arkansas?: No, Arkansas does not require it, per Arkansas Judiciary, District Courts. 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 Arkansas?: District Court, Small Claims Division. The small claims division of the district court in the county where the other side lives or where the agreement was to be carried out.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Arkansas's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.

Open the court's small claims page

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2017-01-01.

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.
Ark. Code §16-17-705(b)(2); §21-6-416 · effective 2017-01-01 · The statewide filing fee for the small claims division is $50, and a $15 technology fee is added, so the total is usually about $65. Your district court clerk has the exact amount.
Ark. Code §16-56-105(1), (3) · effective 1987-12-31 · A claim based on a spoken agreement, or for damage to your personal property, must be filed within three years.
Arkansas Judiciary, District Courts · effective 2026-09-05 · Arkansas 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.