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Small Claims Court Limits in North Dakota

In North Dakota, small claims court hears claims up to $15,000, the filing fee is $20, and parties may appear with or without a lawyer.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

North Dakota at a glance

Maximum claim
$15,000
Counterclaims are also capped at $15,000. A claim may not be filed by an assignee.
Filing fee
$20
Fee for filing a small claims action in district court.
Lawyers allowed
Yes
The statute says parties may appear without counsel; it does not bar lawyers.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in North Dakota

What is the small claims court limit in North Dakota?

Maximum claim in North Dakota: $15,000. Counterclaims are also capped at $15,000. A claim may not be filed by an assignee.

How much does it cost to file a small claims case in North Dakota?

Filing fee in North Dakota: $20. Fee for filing a small claims action in district court.

Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in North Dakota?

Yes. Lawyers allowed in North Dakota: yes. The statute says parties may appear without counsel; it does not bar lawyers.

Where do the North Dakota small claims court limits come from?

The rules above come from N.D.C.C. 27-08.1-01, N.D.C.C. 27-08.1-04 and N.D.C.C. 27-05.2-03. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

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.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.