--- title: "Arkansas Small Claims Court: $5,000 Limit, $30-$65 Fee | MCC" description: "Arkansas small claims court: claims up to $5,000, filing fee $30 to $65. Check your amount and see where to file, from official court pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/small-claims-arkansas" --- Free checker · Arkansas small claims # Arkansas small claims court: the $5,000 limit and how to file Arkansas's limit, fees, who can file and the official steps, taken from Arkansas's own court pages (checked November 2026). **Short answer.** In Arkansas, small claims court covers claims up to **$5,000**. Where to file: The county where a defendant currently lives, or the county where the defendant was to perform the obligation. The fee to start a case is **$30 to $65**, depending on the claim. ## Can I file my claim in Arkansas small claims? Enter an amount to compare it with the Arkansas limit of $5,000. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). ## Arkansas small claims at a glance Limit $5,000. The Attorney General's guide describes disputes of less than $5,000. Not for divorce, guardianship, name change, bankruptcy, or title to or possession of real estate. Court Small claims division of the district court Who can file Anyone 18 or older; a minor can file through a parent, relative or 'next friend' over 18. Collection agencies and businesses that lend money with interest can't file in small claims. Where to file The county where a defendant currently lives, or the county where the defendant was to perform the obligation. Serving the other side Usually by certified mail, by the sheriff, or by another authorized person. The plaintiff pays for service. Appeal Within 30 days of the judgment, in the circuit court of the county where the case was heard. Another filing fee applies and a bond may be required. ### Arkansas filing fees | Fee | Amount | Note | | --- | --- | --- | | filing fee, typical low end | $30 | varies by court | | filing fee, typical high end | $65 | varies by court | The Attorney General's guide says the clerk's filing fee typically varies between $30 and $65, plus the cost of service. Ask your district court clerk for the exact amount. **Not confirmed for Arkansas:** whether lawyers are allowed, online filing. The official Arkansas page we checked didn't state these, so we left them out. Ask the clerk or see the [official page](https://arkansasag.gov/divisions/public-protection/legal-resources/guide-to-small-claims-court/). ## Want us to handle it? A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice. **Price:** Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay. [Request a court filing](/notary/court-filing#request) ## Filing a small claim in Arkansas, step by step - **Check that your claim fits**Use the checker above: the Arkansas limit is $5,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos. - **Pick the right court**The county where a defendant currently lives, or the county where the defendant was to perform the obligation. - **Fill out the claim and pay the fee**The filing fee in Arkansas is $30 to $65, depending on the claim. The Attorney General's guide says the clerk's filing fee typically varies between $30 and $65, plus the cost of service. Ask your district court clerk for the exact amount. - **Have the other side served**Usually by certified mail, by the sheriff, or by another authorized person. The plaintiff pays for service. - **Get ready for the hearing**Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side. - **After the decision**Within 30 days of the judgment, in the circuit court of the county where the case was heard. Another filing fee applies and a bond may be required. ## Official Arkansas links - [Arkansas small claims self-help page](https://arkansasag.gov/divisions/public-protection/legal-resources/guide-to-small-claims-court/) Last checked November 2026. General information checked against the official Arkansas pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved. ## Arkansas small claims questions **What is the small claims limit in Arkansas?** $5,000. The Attorney General's guide describes disputes of less than $5,000. Not for divorce, guardianship, name change, bankruptcy, or title to or possession of real estate. **How much does it cost to file a small claim in Arkansas?** filing fee, typical low end: $30 (varies by court); filing fee, typical high end: $65 (varies by court). The Attorney General's guide says the clerk's filing fee typically varies between $30 and $65, plus the cost of service. Ask your district court clerk for the exact amount. **Where do I file a small claim in Arkansas?** The county where a defendant currently lives, or the county where the defendant was to perform the obligation. **Can I appeal a small claims decision in Arkansas?** Within 30 days of the judgment, in the circuit court of the county where the case was heard. Another filing fee applies and a bond may be required. **How is the other side served in a Arkansas small claims case?** Usually by certified mail, by the sheriff, or by another authorized person. The plaintiff pays for service. **Who can file a small claim in Arkansas?** Anyone 18 or older; a minor can file through a parent, relative or 'next friend' over 18. Collection agencies and businesses that lend money with interest can't file in small claims. Compare every state: [small claims limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) · [Arizona small claims](/tools/small-claims-arizona) · [California small claims](/tools/small-claims-california) Share ## Put this tool on your own site Free to use. Paste this where you want it to appear. It runs in the visitor's browser, so nothing they enter is sent to us. [See every calculator you can embed](/embed) Filing a small claim in Arkansas? ## Small Claims Case Organizer Organize your Arkansas case: a demand letter to adapt to Arkansas's rules, an evidence checklist, a timeline, hearing notes and a collection log, plus an Excel damages calculator and deadline tracker. [Get the organizer ($19)](/toolkits/small-claims-case-organizer) [Free sample](/toolkits/small-claims-case-organizer#free-starter)14-day full refund Coming soon ### Arkansas Small Claims Court Kit This kit is being finished: every state rule in it is checked against official sources before it goes on sale. [See what it will include](/toolkits/arkansas-small-claims-court-kit) ## More free checklists and calculators [See all free tools](/free-tools)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)