Small claims in Vermont
The court
- Superior Court, Civil Division, Small Claims
- The civil division of the Superior Court in the county where the plaintiff or defendant lives.
The most you can claim
| Claiming as | Most you can claim | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| An individual | $10,000 | 12 V.S.A. §5531 |
| A business | $10,000 | 12 V.S.A. §5531 |
| A public agency | $10,000 | 12 V.S.A. §5531 |
What it costs to file
The fee runs from $65 to $90, set by the size of the claim.
Vermont Judiciary, Small Claims · Vermont does not require a written demand before filing a small claims case. The filing fee is $65 for claims of $1,000 or less and $90 for larger claims. Asking first is still the usual first step.
How long you have
The shortest window in this state is 3 years from the day the damage happened.
12 V.S.A. §512 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within three years.
Does small claims fit your dispute in Vermont?
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 Vermont?
- An individual can claim up to $10,000. A business can claim up to $10,000. A public agency can claim up to $10,000. That comes from 12 V.S.A. §5531.
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Vermont?
- $65 for a claim up to $1,000. $90 for a claim up to $10,000. That comes from Vermont Judiciary, Small Claims.
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Vermont?
- The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under 12 V.S.A. §512. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Vermont?
- No, Vermont does not require it, per Vermont Judiciary, 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 Vermont?
- Superior Court, Civil Division, Small Claims. The civil division of the Superior Court in the county where the plaintiff or defendant lives.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Vermont'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 2024-01-01.
- 12 V.S.A. §5531 · effective 2024-01-01 · In Vermont, small claims court hears money claims of up to $10,000; a debt collection claim for a consumer credit account or medical bill is capped at $5,000.
- Vermont Judiciary, Small Claims · effective 2026-09-05 · Vermont does not require a written demand before filing a small claims case. The filing fee is $65 for claims of $1,000 or less and $90 for larger claims. Asking first is still the usual first step.
- 12 V.S.A. §512 · effective 2024-01-01 · A claim for damage to your property must be filed within three years.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.