--- title: "NJ Small Claims: File in Person Without Taking Off Work" description: "New Jersey Small Claims covers claims up to $5,000. We file your completed papers in person at the county Special Civil Part and send back the stamped copy." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/small-claims-filing" --- 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. Get it filed ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) [Español](/es/notary/reclamos-menores/) ## 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](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/10290_small_claims.pdf), [CN 11482](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/11482_small_claims_faq.pdf)) - **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 - [Atlantic](/notary/court-filing/atlantic-county) - [Bergen](/notary/court-filing/bergen-county) - [Burlington](/notary/court-filing/burlington-county) - [Camden](/notary/court-filing/camden-county) - [Cape May](/notary/court-filing/cape-may-county) - [Cumberland](/notary/court-filing/cumberland-county) - [Essex](/notary/court-filing/essex-county) - [Gloucester](/notary/court-filing/gloucester-county) - [Hudson](/notary/court-filing/hudson-county) - [Hunterdon](/notary/court-filing/hunterdon-county) - [Mercer](/notary/court-filing/mercer-county) - [Middlesex](/notary/court-filing/middlesex-county) - [Monmouth](/notary/court-filing/monmouth-county) - [Morris](/notary/court-filing/morris-county) - [Ocean](/notary/court-filing/ocean-county) - [Passaic](/notary/court-filing/passaic-county) - [Salem](/notary/court-filing/salem-county) - [Somerset](/notary/court-filing/somerset-county) - [Sussex](/notary/court-filing/sussex-county) - [Union](/notary/court-filing/union-county) - [Warren](/notary/court-filing/warren-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. - If you are representing yourself, you are responsible for the content and accuracy of the documents you give us to file, and any mistakes in them are yours to correct. MCC Solutions does not guarantee any legal outcome. ### 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. Do it yourself ### New Jersey Small Claims Court Kit In New Jersey, small claims (Small Claims Section, Special Civil Part) cover claims up to $5,000. From the official page: Not more than $5,000, including claims for a landlord's failure to return a security deposit. [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/new-jersey-small-claims-court-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/new-jersey-small-claims-court-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund ## Related - [Court filing checklist: what to have ready before a filing run](/notary/court-filing/filing-checklist) - [How to serve papers, state by state](/notary/process-serving/how-to-serve-papers-by-state) - [Small claims offices in every NJ county](/notary/small-claims) Part of: [Small claims court limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) Document pack ### Handle It Yourself: NJ Court Paperwork Kit The steps, fees and paperwork for handling your own New Jersey court matter, so nothing gets bounced at the clerk's window. [See what is inside ($19)](/toolkits/nj-court-without-a-lawyer-kit) Built from the State of New Jersey Notary Public Manual. Check current rules with the state. Or start with the [free 5-part email course](/notary/start-a-notary-business-email-course). Working notary? Get [free rule-change alerts](/notary/rule-change-alerts). ## Ready to file? Get it filed[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)