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

An individual can claim up to $3,500. A business can claim up to $3,500. A public agency can claim up to $3,500. That comes from Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9.

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

Mississippi 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 Mississippi?

The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-29. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

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

No, Mississippi does not require it, per Mississippi Judiciary, Justice 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 Mississippi?

Justice Court. The county justice court where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Mississippi has no separate small claims court; justice court hears the small civil cases.

Small claims in Mississippi

The court

Justice Court: The county justice court where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Mississippi has no separate small claims court; justice court hears the small civil cases.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Mississippi
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$3,500	Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9
A business	$3,500	Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9
A public agency	$3,500	Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9

What it costs to file

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

Miss. Code Ann. §25-7-25(1)(a) · The clerk's uniform fee for a civil case is $25, and state and county assessments are added on top, so the total differs by county. Your justice 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.

Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-29 · A claim on an unpaid account or a spoken agreement must be filed within three years of when the money came due.

Also worth knowing

A claim against the state, a county, a city, or another public body usually needs a written notice of claim filed with its chief executive officer at least 90 days before the court case can start. Miss. Code Ann. §11-46-11(1)

Does small claims fit your dispute in Mississippi?

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 Mississippi?: An individual can claim up to $3,500. A business can claim up to $3,500. A public agency can claim up to $3,500. That comes from Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9.
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Mississippi?: Mississippi 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 Mississippi?: The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-29. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Mississippi?: No, Mississippi does not require it, per Mississippi Judiciary, Justice 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 Mississippi?: Justice Court. The county justice court where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Mississippi has no separate small claims court; justice court hears the small civil cases.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Mississippi'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 2012-07-01.

Miss. Code Ann. §9-11-9 · effective 2008-07-24 · Justice court hears claims for money or personal property of up to $3,500.
Miss. Code Ann. §25-7-25(1)(a) · effective 2008-07-01 · The clerk's uniform fee for a civil case is $25, and state and county assessments are added on top, so the total differs by county. Your justice court clerk has the exact amount.
Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-29 · effective 1976-07-01 · A claim on an unpaid account or a spoken agreement must be filed within three years of when the money came due.
Mississippi Judiciary, Justice Court · effective 2026-09-05 · Mississippi does not require a written demand before filing a civil claim in justice court. Asking first is still the usual first step.
Miss. Code Ann. §11-46-11(1) · effective 2012-07-01 · A claim against the state, a county, a city, or another public body needs a written notice of claim filed with its chief executive officer at least 90 days before the court case starts.

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