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

An individual can claim up to $25,000. A business can claim up to $25,000. A public agency can claim up to $25,000. That comes from Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1).

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

Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Tenn. Code §28-3-105(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 Tennessee?

No, Tennessee does not require it, per Tennessee Courts, General Sessions Courts. 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 Tennessee?

General Sessions Court, Civil. The general sessions court in the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Tennessee has no separate small claims court; general sessions handles these cases.

Small claims in Tennessee

The court

General Sessions Court, Civil: The general sessions court in the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Tennessee has no separate small claims court; general sessions handles these cases.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Tennessee
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$25,000	Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1)
A business	$25,000	Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1)
A public agency	$25,000	Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1)

What it costs to file

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

Tenn. Code §8-21-401(b)(1)(C) · The clerk's fee for filing a general sessions civil case is $50. State and county litigation taxes and service costs are added, so the total differs by county. Your county clerk's fee page has the exact amount.

How long you have

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

Tenn. Code §28-3-105(1) · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within three years of the damage.

Also worth knowing

A claim for damages against a city, county, school district, or other local government body has a shorter window: the case must be started within twelve months of the event. Claims against the State itself go through a separate claims process, not general sessions court. Tenn. Code §29-20-305(b)

Does small claims fit your dispute in Tennessee?

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 Tennessee?: An individual can claim up to $25,000. A business can claim up to $25,000. A public agency can claim up to $25,000. That comes from Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1).
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Tennessee?: Tennessee 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 Tennessee?: The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Tenn. Code §28-3-105(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 Tennessee?: No, Tennessee does not require it, per Tennessee Courts, General Sessions Courts. 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 Tennessee?: General Sessions Court, Civil. The general sessions court in the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Tennessee has no separate small claims court; general sessions handles these cases.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Tennessee'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 2026-09-05.

Tenn. Code §16-15-501(d)(1) · effective 2024-01-02 · A general sessions court can hear a money claim of up to $25,000. Tennessee has no separate small claims court; these cases are filed as civil warrants in general sessions.
Tenn. Code §8-21-401(b)(1)(C) · effective 2026-01-01 · The clerk's fee for filing a general sessions civil case is $50. State and county litigation taxes and service costs are added, so the total differs by county. Your county clerk's fee page has the exact amount.
Tenn. Code §28-3-105(1) · effective 2024-01-02 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within three years of the damage.
Tennessee Courts, General Sessions Courts · effective 2026-09-05 · Tennessee does not require a written demand before filing a general sessions civil case. Asking first is still the usual first step.
Tenn. Code §29-20-305(b) · effective 2024-01-02 · A claim for damages against a city, county, school district, or other local government body must be started within twelve months of the event.

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