Small claims in New York
The court
- New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part
- For disputes inside the five boroughs of New York City.
- City Court, Small Claims Part
- For cities outside New York City.
- Town or Village Justice Court
- For towns and villages outside cities.
The most you can claim
| Court | Claiming as | Most you can claim | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part | An individual | $10,000 | N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1801 |
| New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part | A public agency | $10,000 | N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1801 |
| City Court, Small Claims Part | An individual | $5,000 | N.Y. Uniform City Ct. Act §1801 |
| City Court, Small Claims Part | A public agency | $5,000 | N.Y. Uniform City Ct. Act §1801 |
| Town or Village Justice Court | An individual | $3,000 | N.Y. Uniform Justice Ct. Act §1801 |
| Town or Village Justice Court | A public agency | $3,000 | N.Y. Uniform Justice Ct. Act §1801 |
What it costs to file
The fee runs from $15 to $20, set by the size of the claim.
N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1803(a) · The filing fee is $15 for claims up to $1,000 and $20 for larger claims.
How long you have
The shortest window in this state is 3 years from the day the damage happened.
N.Y. CPLR 214(4) · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within three years of the damage.
Also worth knowing
- In New York, a corporation, partnership, or association files in the commercial claims part, not the small claims part. The court's self-help pages explain that part. N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1809
- A claim against a city, town, county, or other public body usually needs a notice of claim served within 90 days of the event. N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law §50-e(1)(a)
Does small claims fit your dispute in New York?
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 New York?
- In the New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part, an individual can claim up to $10,000. In the New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part, a public agency can claim up to $10,000. In the City Court, Small Claims Part, an individual can claim up to $5,000. In the City Court, Small Claims Part, a public agency can claim up to $5,000. In the Town or Village Justice Court, an individual can claim up to $3,000. In the Town or Village Justice Court, a public agency can claim up to $3,000. That comes from N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1801, N.Y. Uniform City Ct. Act §1801, N.Y. Uniform Justice Ct. Act §1801.
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in New York?
- $15 for a claim up to $1,000. $20 for a claim up to $10,000. That comes from N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1803(a).
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in New York?
- The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under N.Y. CPLR 214(4). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- Do you have to ask for the money before filing in New York?
- No, New York does not require it, per NY CourtHelp, 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 New York?
- New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part. For disputes inside the five boroughs of New York City. City Court, Small Claims Part. For cities outside New York City. Town or Village Justice Court. For towns and villages outside cities.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open New York's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-02-20.
- N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1801 · effective 2023-07-07 · In New York City, small claims court hears money claims of up to $10,000.
- N.Y. Uniform City Ct. Act §1801 · effective 2024-01-05 · In city courts outside New York City, small claims court hears money claims of up to $5,000.
- N.Y. Uniform Justice Ct. Act §1801 · effective 2022-09-02 · In town and village justice courts, small claims hears money claims of up to $3,000, not counting interest and costs.
- N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1803(a) · effective 2023-07-07 · The filing fee is $15 for claims up to $1,000 and $20 for larger claims.
- N.Y. CPLR 214(4) · effective 2022-02-25 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within three years of the damage.
- NY CourtHelp, Small Claims · effective 2026-09-05 · New York does not require a written demand before filing a small claim. Asking first is still the usual first step.
- N.Y. City Civ. Ct. Act §1809 · effective 2014-09-22 · Corporations, partnerships, associations, and assignees cannot bring a small claim. Municipal bodies and school districts can. Businesses use the commercial claims part.
- N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law §50-e(1)(a) · effective 2026-02-20 · A claim against a city, county, town, or other public body needs a notice of claim served within 90 days of the event.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.