Small Claims Court Limits by State
Small claims court is a simplified part of the state court system for disputes over modest amounts of money. Procedures are informal, forms are short, and the case is usually heard by a judge or magistrate without a jury. People often use it for unpaid loans, security deposits, property damage, unpaid invoices and similar disputes they can present without a lawyer.
50 states and DC compared. Last checked .
At a glance
- Maximum claim: range
- $2,500 to $25,000
- Across the 50 jurisdictions with a single statewide figure.
- Lawyers allowed
- 31 of 39
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
Compare small claims court limits
Each state sets its own rules. The main ones are the largest amount you can ask for, what it costs to file a claim, and whether the parties may be represented by a lawyer at the hearing. Some states set different limits for certain kinds of claims or certain courts. This guide compares those rules side by side and links each one to its source.
51 of 51 shown
| Filing fee | Sources | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | $6,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| AKAlaska | $10,000 | $50 to $100$50 for claims of $2,500 or less, $100 for claims over $2,500 (court handbook form SC-100, revised 8/21). | Yes | |
| AZArizona | $5,000 | $30 base fee plus local feesBase fee set under A.R.S. 22-281 with Supreme Court increases effective December 28, 2024. Maricopa County justice courts charge $58 in total. | Only if both sides agree | |
| ARArkansas | $5,000 | Not listed | No (case moves to civil docket) | |
| CACalifornia | $12,500 | $30 to $75$30 up to $1,500, $50 up to $5,000, $75 above $5,000; $100 if you filed more than 12 claims in 12 months. | No | |
| COColorado | $7,500 | $31 to $55$31 for claims of $500 or less, $55 for claims over $500 up to $7,500. | Generally no | |
| CTConnecticut | $5,000 | $95Moving to transfer a case to the regular docket costs $125. | Yes | |
| DEDelaware | $25,000 | $35 to $45Debt claims: $35 under $1,000, $40 from $1,000 to $5,000, $45 over $5,000 (court fee table updated November 5, 2021). | Yes | |
| DCDistrict of Columbia | $10,000 | $5 to $45$5 up to $500, $10 up to $2,500, $45 up to $10,000, plus a service fee per defendant. | Yes | |
| FLFlorida | $8,000 | $50 to $295Statutory maximums by claim size: $50 under $100, $75 up to $500, $170 up to $2,500, $295 above $2,500. A $10 summons charge also applies. | Yes | |
| GAGeorgia | $15,000 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| HIHawaii | $5,000 | $35 | Yes, except security deposit cases | |
| IDIdaho | $15,000 | $33Plus the cost of serving the defendant. | No | |
| ILIllinois | $10,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| INIndiana | $10,000 | $35 plus $10 per defendantThe $10 service fee is not charged for cases e-filed; clerks also collect other statutory fees such as document and court administration fees. | Yes | |
| IAIowa | $6,500 | $95Plus $20 postage for mailing the original notice, or personal service fees. | Yes | |
| KSKansas | $10,000 | $35 to $55$35 for claims of $500 or less, $55 above $500. Limit of 20 claims per person per court per year. | No | |
| KYKentucky | $2,500 | Not listed | Yes | |
| LALouisiana | $5,000 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| MEMaine | $10,000 | $70Entry fee for a small claims action; it includes a $15 mediation fee. | Yes | |
| MDMaryland | $5,000 | $44District Court filing fee for a new small claims contract or tort suit (cost schedule effective March 1, 2026), plus service fees. | Yes | |
| MAMassachusetts | $7,000 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| MIMichigan | $7,000 | $25 to $65$25 up to $600, $45 over $600 up to $1,750, $65 over $1,750, plus postage for mailing to each defendant. | No | |
| MNMinnesota | $20,000 | $65Charged to each plaintiff and defendant on first filing, plus any applicable law library fee. | Yes | |
| MSMississippi | $3,500 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| MOMissouri | $5,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| MTMontana | $7,000 | Not listed | Only if all parties have one | |
| NENebraska | $7,500 | $58Total county court filing fees for a small claims case (schedule effective July 1, 2026), including the $6.25 small claims docket fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804. The plaintiff also pays the cost of service. | No | |
| NVNevada | $10,000 | $45 to $175$45 up to $1,000; $65 up to $2,500; $85 up to $5,000; $125 up to $7,500; $175 up to $10,000. | Not listed | |
| NHNew Hampshire | $10,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| NJNew Jersey | $5,000 | $35$35 for one defendant plus $5 for each additional defendant; counterclaims are $30. | Yes | |
| NMNew Mexico | $10,000 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| NYNew York | $10,000 in NYC, $5,000 city courts, $3,000 town courts | $15 to $20 in NYCNYC Civil Court: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 for larger claims. | Not listed | |
| NCNorth Carolina | Up to $10,000 (county limits vary) | $96$80 General Court of Justice fee, $12 facilities fee and $4 court technology fee for cases assigned to a magistrate; service costs are extra. | Yes | |
| NDNorth Dakota | $15,000 | $20Fee for filing a small claims action in district court. | Yes | |
| OHOhio | $6,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| OKOklahoma | $10,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| OROregon | $10,000 | $57 to $102$57 when the claim is $2,500 or less; $102 when it is more than $2,500. | Only with judge's consent | |
| PAPennsylvania | $12,000 | Not listed | Yes | |
| RIRhode Island | $5,000 | $55 plus surcharge$55 entry fee plus a technology surcharge and postage for mailing notices. | Not listed | |
| SCSouth Carolina | $7,500 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| SDSouth Dakota | $12,000 | $4 to $20 entry feeStatutory entry fee: $4 up to $100, $10 up to $1,000, $20 over $1,000. Other court costs may apply. | Yes | |
| TNTennessee | $25,000 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| TXTexas | $20,000 | Not listed | Not listed | |
| UTUtah | $20,000 | $60 to $185$60 for $2,000 or less; $100 for over $2,000 but under $7,500; $185 for $7,500 or more. | Yes | |
| VTVermont | $10,000 | $65 to $90$65 for claims of $1,000 or less; $90 for claims over $1,000. | Yes | |
| VAVirginia | $5,000 | $36 base court feeDistrict court fee for a civil warrant under Va. Code 16.1-69.48:2; service of process and any other costs may be extra. | No | |
| WAWashington | $10,000 | $35 plus surcharge$35 plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035. | Only with judge's consent | |
| WVWest Virginia | $20,000 | $30 to $50, plus $20W. Va. Code 50-3-1(a) sets $30 to $50 by amount claimed ($50 over $2,000), and 50-3-1(g) adds $20 for filing and trying any civil action. | Not listed | |
| WIWisconsin | $10,000 | $22 clerk fee ($39 from November 1, 2026)Base clerk of court fee under Wis. Stat. 814.62(3)(a), raised to $39 effective November 1, 2026 by 2025 Wis. Act 179. Other fees may apply. | Yes | |
| WYWyoming | $6,000 | $10 | Yes |
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
What this means in practice
Before filing, send the other side a written demand that states what is owed, why, and a deadline to pay. A clear demand letter sometimes settles the dispute without court, and some courts ask whether you tried to resolve the matter first.
Bring organized evidence to the hearing: contracts, receipts, invoices, photos, text messages and any written promise to pay. Prepare a short timeline of what happened. Judges in small claims court decide cases quickly, so a clear, document backed explanation helps.
Winning a judgment does not mean you are paid automatically. If the other side does not pay voluntarily, you may need to use collection tools such as wage garnishment, a bank levy or a lien, and each of those has its own forms, fees and rules.
Small Claims Court Limits: state by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently asked questions
What is small claims court?
It is a simplified court process for money disputes up to a limit set by state law. Filing is inexpensive, the rules of procedure are relaxed, and people commonly represent themselves.
What happens if my claim is over the small claims limit?
You can usually either reduce your claim to the limit and give up the rest, or file in a higher civil court where the full amount can be sought. Splitting one claim into several smaller cases to stay under the limit is generally not allowed.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court?
Small claims court is designed so people can handle their own cases. Whether a lawyer may appear for a party depends on the state, and some states allow it only in certain situations.
Can I recover the filing fee if I win?
Courts often add filing and service costs to the judgment for the winning party, but rules vary. Ask the clerk or check your state's rules when you file.
Can a small claims decision be appealed?
Appeal rights differ by state. Some states allow a new hearing in a higher court, some limit who can appeal, and the deadlines are often short, so check the rules right after the decision.
Which states have the highest and lowest maximum claim?
Among the 50 jurisdictions with a single statewide figure, maximum claim ranges from $2,500 (Kentucky) to $25,000 (Delaware and Tennessee). The most common figure is $10,000 (15 jurisdictions). Check each state's page for exceptions.
Lawyers allowed: which states say yes?
Of the 39 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 26 jurisdictions, in some cases in 5, no in 8. Yes: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In some cases: Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon and Washington.