Small claims in North Dakota

The court

District Court, Small Claims Court

A district court judge or judicial referee sitting as the small claims court, usually in the county where the other side lives or does business.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

What it costs to file

The fee runs from $20 to $20, set by the size of the claim.

N.D.C.C. §27-05.2-03(1)(e) · The filing fee for a small claims action in district court is $20.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 4 years from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken.

N.D.C.C. §41-02-104(1) · A claim about a sale of goods must be filed within four years of the breach.

Also worth knowing

• A claim against the State of North Dakota or a state agency needs written notice to the director of the Office of Management and Budget within 180 days of when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. N.D.C.C. §32-12.2-04(1)(a)

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 North Dakota?

An individual can claim up to $15,000. A business can claim up to $15,000. A public agency can claim up to $15,000. That comes from N.D.C.C. §27-08.1-01(1).

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

$20 for a claim up to $15,000. That comes from N.D.C.C. §27-05.2-03(1)(e).

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

The shortest window is 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under N.D.C.C. §41-02-104(1). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

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

No, North Dakota does not require it, per ND Courts, Small Claims Court Actions. 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 North Dakota?

District Court, Small Claims Court. A district court judge or judicial referee sitting as the small claims court, usually in the county where the other side lives or does business.