What it costs to file in Tennessee
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
Set by each court
This state does not set one statewide fee. The court where you file publishes its own.
More about Tennessee
Common questions
- 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 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).
- 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.
- 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.
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 pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-09-05.
- 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.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.