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

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 Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405.

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

Maryland 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 Maryland?

The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

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

No, Maryland does not require it, per Maryland Courts, Small Claims. 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 Maryland?

District Court, Small Claims. The District Court of Maryland in the county (or Baltimore City) where the other side lives, works, or does business.

Small claims in Maryland

The court

District Court, Small Claims: The District Court of Maryland in the county (or Baltimore City) where the other side lives, works, or does business.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Maryland
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$5,000	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405
A business	$5,000	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405
A public agency	$5,000	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405

What it costs to file

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

District Court of Maryland Cost Schedule, DCA-109 (Rev. 03/2026) · The District Court sets the small claims filing fee and a separate charge for service on the other side. The clerk's office has the current amounts.

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.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 · Most claims, including a broken agreement, written or spoken, and damage to your property, must be filed within three years of when the claim arose.

Also worth knowing

A claim for damages against a county, city, town, or other local government needs a written notice of the claim delivered within one year of the injury. Claims against the State have their own notice steps. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-304(b)

Does small claims fit your dispute in Maryland?

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 Maryland?: 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 Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405.
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Maryland?: Maryland 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 Maryland?: The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Maryland?: No, Maryland does not require it, per Maryland Courts, Small Claims. 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 Maryland?: District Court, Small Claims. The District Court of Maryland in the county (or Baltimore City) where the other side lives, works, or does business.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Maryland'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 2026-03-01.

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.
District Court of Maryland Cost Schedule, DCA-109 (Rev. 03/2026) · effective 2026-03-01 · The District Court sets the small claims filing fee and a separate charge for service on the other side. The clerk's office has the current amounts.
Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 · effective 1974-01-01 · Most claims, including a broken agreement, written or spoken, and damage to your property, must be filed within three years of when the claim arose.
Maryland Courts, Small Claims · effective 2026-09-05 · Maryland does not require a written demand before filing a small claim. The court suggests trying to settle or mediate first, and asking in writing is the usual first step.
Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-304(b) · effective 2015-10-01 · A claim for damages against a county, city, town, or other local government needs a written notice, stating the time, place, and cause of the injury, delivered within one year of the injury.

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