Small claims
File your small claims case without taking a day off
Small Claims in New Jersey handles disputes up to $5,000, including security deposits. You can file online, by mail or in person. If you want it walked in and stamped the same day, we take your completed papers to the county Special Civil Part for you.
The basics, from the court's own guides
- Limit: $5,000, including the return of a security deposit. The Special Civil Part takes claims up to $20,000. (CN 10290, CN 11482)
- Filing fee: $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant, plus a fee for the court to mail the papers.
- Motions: no fee in the Small Claims section.
- Where: the Special Civil Part in the county where a defendant lives or does business. Security deposit cases can also be filed where the rental is.
- Not allowed in small claims: professional malpractice, probate matters such as wills, and alimony or support.
How the other side gets served
The court serves small claims papers itself, by certified and regular mail. If that fails, you can ask for service again by mail or by a court officer. A private process server usually isn't part of a small claims case.
What we do
You fill out the complaint (the court's forms walk you through it). We print it, take it to the right Special Civil Part window with the fee, and send you a scan of the stamped copy. We can also pull copies from an existing court file. We don't fill out the forms for you or tell you what to claim.
Find your county
Before you send
- Send the final, signed PDF. Some clerks want an ink signature on paper filings, so the desk checks before the run.
- We print two sets: one to file and one for the clerk to stamp "filed" and hand back.
- Court fees are paid at the window to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey" and billed to you at cost.
- A motion is generally filed and served at least 16 days before the hearing date it asks for.
- You get a scan of the stamped copy the same day it's filed.
- Serving the other parties is a separate job unless you add it.
- We file the papers you send. We don't review them for legal content or give legal advice.
Prefer to talk?
Call the desk and we'll take the request by phone.
Questions
How much can I sue for in small claims?
Up to $5,000 in the Small Claims section of the Special Civil Part, including security deposit cases. Up to $20,000 goes in the Special Civil Part's regular section.
Do I need someone to serve the papers?
Usually not. The court mails the summons and complaint by certified and regular mail. If mail service fails, you can ask the court to try again by mail or through its officer.
Can I file online instead?
Yes. The judiciary's JEDS system takes small claims filings, by card. People use us when they'd rather have it walked in and stamped the same day.
Can you help me fill out the complaint?
No. That would be legal help, and we're not lawyers. The court's small claims guide explains each part of the form.
MCC Solutions is not a law firm and doesn't give legal advice. We deliver, file and serve the papers you give us.