Small claims in Utah
The court
- Justice Court
- The justice court for the area where the claim arose or the defendant lives (district court in the few counties without one).
The most you can claim
| Claiming as | Most you can claim | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| An individual | $20,000 | Utah Code §78A-8-102 |
| A business | $20,000 | Utah Code §78A-8-102 |
| A public agency | $20,000 | Utah Code §78A-8-102 |
What it costs to file
The fee runs from $60 to $185, set by the size of the claim.
Utah Courts fee schedule · The filing fee is $60 for claims of $2,000 or less, $100 for claims up to $7,500, and $185 for larger claims.
How long you have
The shortest window in this state is 3 years from the day the damage happened.
Utah Code §78B-2-305(2) · A claim for damage to your personal property must be filed within three years; a crash involving a motor vehicle has its own four-year window.
Also worth knowing
- A claim against a Utah state or local government entity needs a written notice of claim delivered to that entity within one year of the event. Utah Code §63G-7-402
Does small claims fit your dispute in Utah?
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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 Utah?
- An individual can claim up to $20,000. A business can claim up to $20,000. A public agency can claim up to $20,000. That comes from Utah Code §78A-8-102.
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Utah?
- $60 for a claim up to $2,000. $100 for a claim up to $7,499.99. $185 for a claim up to $20,000. That comes from Utah Courts fee schedule.
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Utah?
- The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Utah Code §78B-2-305(2). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Utah?
- No, Utah does not require it, per Utah Courts, 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 Utah?
- Justice Court. The justice court for the area where the claim arose or the defendant lives (district court in the few counties without one).
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Utah'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 2025-01-01.
- Utah Code §78A-8-102 · effective 2025-01-01 · In Utah, small claims court hears money claims of up to $20,000, including representation fees but not court costs or interest.
- Utah Courts fee schedule · effective 2026-09-05 · The filing fee is $60 for claims of $2,000 or less, $100 for claims up to $7,500, and $185 for larger claims.
- Utah Code §78B-2-305(2) · effective 2025-01-01 · A claim for damage to your personal property must be filed within three years; a crash involving a motor vehicle has its own four-year window.
- Utah Courts, Small Claims · effective 2026-09-05 · Utah does not require a written demand before filing a small claims case. Asking first is still the usual first step.
- Utah Code §63G-7-402 · effective 2025-01-01 · A claim against a Utah state or local government entity needs a written notice of claim delivered within one year of the event.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.