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

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 Ind. Code §33-29-2-4.

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

Indiana 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 Indiana?

The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Indiana?

No, Indiana does not require it, per Indiana Small Claims Manual (2026). 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 Indiana?

Small Claims Docket, Circuit or Superior Court. The small claims docket of the circuit or superior court in the county where the other side lives or works or where the dispute happened. In Marion County the township small claims court hears these cases instead.

Small claims in Indiana

The court

Small Claims Docket, Circuit or Superior Court: The small claims docket of the circuit or superior court in the county where the other side lives or works or where the dispute happened. In Marion County the township small claims court hears these cases instead.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Indiana
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$10,000	Ind. Code §33-29-2-4
A business	$10,000	Ind. Code §33-29-2-4
A public agency	$10,000	Ind. Code §33-29-2-4

What it costs to file

This state does not set one statewide fee. The court where you file publishes its own.

Ind. Code §33-37-4-6(a) · The small claims costs fee is $35 plus a $10 service fee for each person you name. Other statutory court fees are added on top, so the total differs by county. Your clerk's fee schedule has the exact amount.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 2 years from the day the damage happened.

Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a) · A claim for damage to your belongings or vehicle must be filed within two years of the damage. Damage to land or a building has a longer window; this is the shorter one.

Also worth knowing

A claim against a city, county, town, school corporation, or other political subdivision is barred unless a written notice of the claim is filed with its governing body within 180 days of the loss. Ind. Code §34-13-3-8(a)

Does small claims fit your dispute in Indiana?

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 Indiana?: 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 Ind. Code §33-29-2-4.
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Indiana?: Indiana 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 Indiana?: The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Indiana?: No, Indiana does not require it, per Indiana Small Claims Manual (2026). 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 Indiana?: Small Claims Docket, Circuit or Superior Court. The small claims docket of the circuit or superior court in the county where the other side lives or works or where the dispute happened. In Marion County the township small claims court hears these cases instead.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Indiana'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 2025-07-01.

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.
Ind. Code §33-37-4-6(a) · effective 2025-07-01 · The small claims costs fee is $35 plus a $10 service fee for each person you name. Other statutory court fees are added on top, so the total differs by county. Your clerk's fee schedule has the exact amount.
Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a) · effective 1998-07-01 · A claim for damage to your belongings or vehicle must be filed within two years of the damage. Damage to land or a building has a longer window; this is the shorter one.
Indiana Small Claims Manual (2026) · effective 2025-12-23 · Indiana does not require a written demand before filing a small claim. Asking first is still the usual first step. If the claim is on an account, an affidavit of debt is filed with the notice of claim.
Ind. Code §34-13-3-8(a) · effective 2023-07-01 · A claim against a city, county, town, or other political subdivision is barred unless a written notice is filed with its governing body within 180 days after the loss.

FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.