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

An individual can claim up to $7,000. A business can claim up to $7,000. A public agency can claim up to $7,000. That comes from G.L. c. 218, §21.

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

$40 for a claim up to $500. $50 for a claim up to $2,000. $100 for a claim up to $5,000. $150 for a claim up to $7,000. That comes from G.L. c. 218, §22 with c. 262, §4C.

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

The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under G.L. c. 260, §2A. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

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

No, Massachusetts does not require it, per Mass.gov, Small Claims Court. 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 Massachusetts?

District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court, Small Claims Session. The small claims session of the District Court or Boston Municipal Court for the place where either side lives or does business. Housing Court also hears small claims about rental housing.

Small claims in Massachusetts

The court

District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court, Small Claims Session: The small claims session of the District Court or Boston Municipal Court for the place where either side lives or does business. Housing Court also hears small claims about rental housing.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Massachusetts
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$7,000	G.L. c. 218, §21
A business	$7,000	G.L. c. 218, §21
A public agency	$7,000	G.L. c. 218, §21

What it costs to file

The fee runs from $40 to $150, set by the size of the claim.

G.L. c. 218, §22 with c. 262, §4C · The entry fee is $30 for claims up to $500, $40 up to $2,000, $90 up to $5,000, and $140 above that, plus a $10 surcharge, so you pay $40, $50, $100, or $150.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 3 years from the day the damage happened.

G.L. c. 260, §2A · A claim for damage someone caused to your property must be filed within three years of the damage.

Also worth knowing

A claim for damages against the Commonwealth, a city, a town, or another public employer has to be presented in writing to its executive officer within two years of the event before it can go to court. G.L. c. 258, §4

Does small claims fit your dispute in Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts?: An individual can claim up to $7,000. A business can claim up to $7,000. A public agency can claim up to $7,000. That comes from G.L. c. 218, §21.
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Massachusetts?: $40 for a claim up to $500. $50 for a claim up to $2,000. $100 for a claim up to $5,000. $150 for a claim up to $7,000. That comes from G.L. c. 218, §22 with c. 262, §4C.
How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Massachusetts?: The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under G.L. c. 260, §2A. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Massachusetts?: No, Massachusetts does not require it, per Mass.gov, Small Claims Court. 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 Massachusetts?: District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court, Small Claims Session. The small claims session of the District Court or Boston Municipal Court for the place where either side lives or does business. Housing Court also hears small claims about rental housing.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Massachusetts'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 2021-12-13.

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.
G.L. c. 218, §22 with c. 262, §4C · effective 2003-07-01 · The entry fee is $30 for claims up to $500, $40 up to $2,000, $90 up to $5,000, and $140 above that, plus a $10 surcharge, so you pay $40, $50, $100, or $150.
G.L. c. 260, §2A · effective 1974-01-01 · A claim for damage someone caused to your property must be filed within three years of the damage.
Mass.gov, Small Claims Court · effective 2026-09-05 · Massachusetts does not require a written demand before filing an ordinary small claim. Asking first is still the usual first step, and some consumer claims have their own 30-day letter rule.
G.L. c. 258, §4 · effective 1978-07-20 · Before a damages claim against the Commonwealth, a city, a town, or another public employer can go to court, it has to be presented in writing to that body's executive officer within two years of the event.

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