---
title: "Small Claims Court Limits by State: Fees, Lawyers | MCC"
description: "Small claims limits by state, from $2,500 to $25,000: a sortable table of limits, filing fees, lawyer rules and official links, plus an amount checker."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state"
---

Free table · Small claims

# Small claims court limits by state

How much you can sue for, what it costs to file, whether a lawyer can speak for you, and the official page for each state, all in one sortable table.

[Español](/es/limites-de-reclamos-menores-por-estado/)

**Short answer.** Small claims limits run from $2,500 to $25,000 across the 51 jurisdictions below. Each row comes from that state's official court page, checked in the month shown. Pick a state below to compare your amount with its limit.

## Is my amount under the limit?

Pick a state and enter an amount.

## Small claims limits and fees by state

Sort by any column with its heading button. The fee range covers the fee to start a case; service and other fees are extra. On a phone, swipe the table sideways.

Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving).

| | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alabama](/tools/small-claims-alabama) | $6,000 | $56 to $248 | Allowed | [Official page](https://russell.alacourt.gov/small-claims/) | November 2026 |
| [Alaska](/tools/small-claims-alaska) | $10,000 | $50 to $100 | Allowed | [Official page](https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/sc/index.htm) | November 2026 |
| [Arizona](/tools/small-claims-arizona) | $3,500 | $30 | Not allowed | [Official page](https://www.azcourts.gov/legalinfohub/Legal-Info-Sheets/Small-Claims/About-Small-Claims) | November 2026 |
| [Arkansas](/tools/small-claims-arkansas) | $5,000 | $30 to $65 | Not confirmed | [Official page](https://arkansasag.gov/divisions/public-protection/legal-resources/guide-to-small-claims-court/) | November 2026 |
| [California](/tools/small-claims-california) | $12,500 | $30 to $100 | Not allowed | [Official page](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/small-claims-basics) | November 2026 |
| [Colorado](/tools/small-claims-colorado) | $7,500 | $31 to $55 | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://lawhelp.colorado.gov/when-can-i-sue-in-small-claims-court) | November 2026 |
| [Connecticut](/tools/small-claims-connecticut) | $5,000 | $95 | Allowed | [Official page](https://jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html) | November 2026 |
| [Delaware](/tools/small-claims-delaware) | $25,000 | $35 to $55 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.courts.delaware.gov/help/proceedings/jp_startcivil.aspx) | November 2026 |
| [District of Columbia](/tools/small-claims-district-of-columbia) | $10,000 | $5 to $45 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/superior-court-divisions/civil-division/small-claims) | November 2026 |
| [Florida](/tools/small-claims-florida) | $8,000 | $55 to $300 | Allowed | [Official page](https://lakeclerkfl.gov/courts/small_claims.aspx) | November 2026 |
| [Georgia](/tools/small-claims-georgia) | $15,000 | $45 to $55 | Allowed | [Official page](https://consumer.georgia.gov/node/1636) | November 2026 |
| [Hawaii](/tools/small-claims-hawaii) | $5,000 | $35 | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/small_claims) | November 2026 |
| [Idaho](/tools/small-claims-idaho) | $15,000 | $69 | Not allowed | [Official page](https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov) | November 2026 |
| [Illinois](/tools/small-claims-illinois) | $10,000 | Set by county | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Resources/fc725e38-19e3-4eaf-b7ae-2292402109d0/SMC_HowtoFileandServeaSmallClaimsComplaintandSummons.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Indiana](/tools/small-claims-indiana) | $10,000 | $87 to $130 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.in.gov/courts/files/small-claims-manual.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Iowa](/tools/small-claims-iowa) | $6,500 | $115 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.iowacourts.gov/browse/files/cc85952321f54914bf6ba14535b8ac9d/download) | November 2026 |
| [Kansas](/tools/small-claims-kansas) | $10,000 | $47.50 to $67.50 | Not allowed | [Official page](https://www.kjc.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6578/638968130126670000) | November 2026 |
| [Kentucky](/tools/small-claims-kentucky) | $2,500 | $38 | Allowed | [Official page](https://kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/P-6_Small_Claims_Handbook_25.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Louisiana](/tools/small-claims-louisiana) | $5,000 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | [Official page](https://shreveportla.gov/1044/Small-Claims) | November 2026 |
| [Maine](/tools/small-claims-maine) | $10,000 | $70 | Allowed | [Official page](https://courts.maine.gov/help/small-claims) | November 2026 |
| [Maryland](/tools/small-claims-maryland) | $5,000 | $34 | Allowed | [Official page](https://mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/district/forms/civil/dccv001br.pdf/dccv001br.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Massachusetts](/tools/small-claims-massachusetts) | $7,000 | $40 to $150 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-small-claim-in-the-boston-municipal-court-district-court-or-housing-court) | November 2026 |
| [Michigan](/tools/small-claims-michigan) | $7,000 | $30 to $70 | Not allowed | [Official page](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49f3ce/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/dc84info.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Minnesota](/tools/small-claims-minnesota) | $20,000 | Not confirmed | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://mncourts.gov/help-topics/conciliation-court) | November 2026 |
| [Mississippi](/tools/small-claims-mississippi) | $3,500 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | [Official page](https://courts.ms.gov/trialcourts/justicecourt/justicecourt.php) | November 2026 |
| [Missouri](/tools/small-claims-missouri) | $5,000 | Not confirmed | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.courts.mo.gov/hosted/circuit13/forms/Civil/CIVIL_SmallClaimsCourtHandbook.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Montana](/tools/small-claims-montana) | $7,000 | $30 | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://courts.mt.gov/external/library/forms/civil/city_jp/civil-small.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Nebraska](/tools/small-claims-nebraska) | $7,500 | $6.25 | Not allowed | [Official page](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/small-claims/filing-small-claims-case-nebraska) | November 2026 |
| [Nevada](/tools/small-claims-nevada) | $10,000 | $55 to $145 | Allowed | [Official page](https://trialcourts.nvcourts.gov/Articles/Details/how-to-file-small-claims-case) | November 2026 |
| [New Hampshire](/tools/small-claims-new-hampshire) | $10,000 | $5 to $60 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.courts.nh.gov/our-courts/circuit-court/district-division/civil-cases) | November 2026 |
| [New Jersey](/notary/small-claims-filing) | $5,000 | $35 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/11482_small_claims_faq.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [New Mexico](/tools/small-claims-new-mexico) | $10,000 | $72 to $77 | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://languageaccess.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2023/11/How-to-File-a-Civil-Lawsuit.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [New York](/tools/small-claims-new-york) | $10,000 | $10 to $25 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.nycourts.gov/legacypdfs/courthelp/pdfs/smallclaimshandbook.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [North Carolina](/tools/small-claims-north-carolina) | $10,000 | $4 to $80 | Allowed | [Official page](https://ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_7A/Article_19.html) | November 2026 |
| [North Dakota](/tools/small-claims-north-dakota) | $15,000 | $20 to $160 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Small%20Claims/All%20Small%20Claims%20Court%20Forms%20Packet.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Ohio](/tools/small-claims-ohio) | $6,000 | Set by county | Allowed | [Official page](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-1925) | November 2026 |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | November 2026 |
| [Oregon](/tools/small-claims-oregon) | $10,000 | $57 to $102 | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Documents/SC_InstructionsForPlaintiffF0577.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Pennsylvania](/tools/small-claims-pennsylvania) | $12,000 | Not confirmed | Allowed | [Official page](https://legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.015..HTM) | November 2026 |
| [Rhode Island](/tools/small-claims-rhode-island) | $5,000 | $75.75 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.courts.ri.gov:443/Courts/districtcourt/Pages/smallclaims.aspx) | November 2026 |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | $25 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | November 2026 |
| [South Dakota](/tools/small-claims-south-dakota) | $12,000 | $24.84 to $42.84 | Allowed | [Official page](https://ujs.sd.gov/Small_Claims/) | November 2026 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | Not confirmed | Allowed | Not confirmed | November 2026 |
| [Texas](/tools/small-claims-texas) | $20,000 | $54 | Allowed | [Official page](https://guides.sll.texas.gov/small-claims) | November 2026 |
| [Utah](/tools/small-claims-utah) | $20,000 | $50 to $185 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/consumer/small-claims.html) | November 2026 |
| [Vermont](/tools/small-claims-vermont) | $10,000 | $65 to $90 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.vtcourts.gov/civil/suing-and-being-sued) | November 2026 |
| [Virginia](/tools/small-claims-virginia) | $5,000 | Not confirmed | Not allowed | [Official page](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title16.1/chapter6/article5/) | November 2026 |
| [Washington](/tools/small-claims-washington) | $10,000 | $35 | Allowed with limits | [Official page](https://www.atg.wa.gov/small-claims-court-0) | November 2026 |
| [West Virginia](/tools/small-claims-west-virginia) | $20,000 | $50 to $70 | Not confirmed | [Official page](https://www.courtswv.gov/sites/default/pubfilesmnt/2023-06/SCA-MI-400-InformationSheet-CivilCasePlaintiff.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Wisconsin](/tools/small-claims-wisconsin) | $10,000 | $94.50 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/sites/default/files/uploaded-files/WI%20Basic%20Guide%20to%20Small%20Claims%20Feb2023.pdf) | November 2026 |
| [Wyoming](/tools/small-claims-wyoming) | $6,000 | $10 | Allowed | [Official page](https://www.wyocourts.gov/legal-help-by-topic/small-claims/) | November 2026 |

New Jersey links to our existing [New Jersey small claims page](/notary/small-claims-filing). States without a row don't have a checked data file yet.

## 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:** In New Jersey: 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. Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts.

[Request a court filing](/notary/court-filing#request)

## How to read the table

The limit is the most you can ask the court to award in small claims. Several states also have a second figure for certain claims (businesses in California, home improvement contracts in Connecticut, counterclaims in Hawaii); each state's page lists them. The filing fee is what the clerk charges to start a case, often in tiers by the amount claimed and sometimes different from county to county. "Lawyers" is whether a lawyer may speak for you at the hearing.

What a state page shows is only what its official page says. Anything we couldn't confirm is marked, with the link to check it.

General information checked against each state's official court pages, as dated in the table, 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.

## Common questions

**Which state has the highest small claims limit?**

Among the 51 jurisdictions in this table, Delaware and Tennessee have the highest limit, $25,000. Limits change, so check the state's official page.

**Which state has the lowest small claims limit?**

Kentucky, at $2,500, among the jurisdictions in this table.

**Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court?**

It depends on the state. The official pages for Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Virginia say lawyers can't represent you in the small claims hearing (some with exceptions). Most others allow one; the table shows each state's rule.

**Why does a state show 'Not confirmed'?**

We only list what the state's court or legislature publishes. When an official page didn't state a fee or rule, we left it out rather than guess. The official link in that row is the place to check.

**Does the limit include interest and court costs?**

In many states it doesn't: the official pages for several states say the limit is counted without interest and costs. Each state page quotes its own wording.

Related: [New Jersey small claims filing](/notary/small-claims-filing) · [Unpaid invoice collection kit](/toolkits/unpaid-invoice-collection-kit)

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## Small Claims Case Organizer

A demand letter template to adapt to your state, an evidence checklist, a timeline worksheet, hearing prep notes and a collection log, plus an Excel damages calculator, evidence log, deadlines and expenses.

[Get the organizer ($19)](/toolkits/small-claims-case-organizer) [Free sample](/toolkits/small-claims-case-organizer#free-starter)14-day full refund

## Related

- [How to serve papers, state by state](/notary/process-serving/how-to-serve-papers-by-state)
- [Serve someone who lives in another state](/notary/process-serving/serve-someone-in-another-state)

## More on small claims

- [Small claims demand letter builder](/tools/small-claims-demand-letter)
- [Landlord rules by state](/tools/landlord-rules-by-state)

Part of: [Landlord rules by state](/tools/landlord-rules-by-state)

**Download this data:** [CSV](/data/small-claims.csv) · [JSON](/data/small-claims.json) · [Field guide, license and citation](/data/small-claims)

51 jurisdictions, sources checked November 2026. Free under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) with a link back.

## More free checklists and calculators

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