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Small Claims Court Limits in Washington

In Washington, small claims departments hear claims up to $10,000 for individuals ($5,000 for others), the filing fee is $35 plus any authorized surcharge, and lawyers need the judge's consent.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Washington at a glance

Maximum claim
$10,000
$10,000 for claims brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases.
Filing fee
$35 plus surcharge
$35 plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035.
Lawyers allowed
Only with judge's consent

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Washington

What is the small claims court limit in Washington?

Maximum claim in Washington: $10,000. $10,000 for claims brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases.

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

Filing fee in Washington: $35 plus surcharge. $35 plus any surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035.

Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Washington?

Only with judge's consent. Lawyers allowed in Washington: only with judge's consent.

Where do the Washington small claims court limits come from?

The rules above come from RCW 12.40.010, RCW 12.40.020 and RCW 12.40.080. 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.

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