Short answer. In Maryland, small claims (District Court of Maryland (small claims)) cover claims up to $5,000. Where to file: The county where the debtor lives, carries on regular business or is employed. Maryland's filing fee wasn't on the official page we checked; ask the clerk.
Can I file my claim in Maryland small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Maryland limit of $5,000.
Maryland small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $5,000. $5,000 or less, for money only, and without discovery such as interrogatories.
- Court
- District Court of Maryland (small claims)
- Who can file
- The person or company owed the money.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- The county where the debtor lives, carries on regular business or is employed.
- Serving the other side
- Certified mail, private process server, constable or sheriff. The defendant generally has 15 days to file a Notice of Intention to Defend (60 days if served out of state or through a state agency).
The booklet refers to the District Court Civil Cost Schedule for filing and service fees; amounts weren't confirmed here.
Not confirmed for Maryland: filing fees, appeals, online filing. The official Maryland page we checked didn't state these, so we left them out. Ask the clerk or see the official page.
Filing a small claim in Maryland, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Maryland 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 courtThe county where the debtor lives, carries on regular business or is employed.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe booklet refers to the District Court Civil Cost Schedule for filing and service fees; amounts weren't confirmed here.
- Have the other side servedCertified mail, private process server, constable or sheriff. The defendant generally has 15 days to file a Notice of Intention to Defend (60 days if served out of state or through a state agency).
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionAppeal rules for Maryland weren't on the page we checked. Ask the clerk right away if you want to challenge a decision, since deadlines are short.
Official Maryland links
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Maryland 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.
Maryland small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Maryland?
$5,000. $5,000 or less, for money only, and without discovery such as interrogatories.
Can a lawyer represent me in Maryland small claims?
Allowed in Maryland, per the official page. The person or company owed the money.
Where do I file a small claim in Maryland?
The county where the debtor lives, carries on regular business or is employed.
How is the other side served in a Maryland small claims case?
Certified mail, private process server, constable or sheriff. The defendant generally has 15 days to file a Notice of Intention to Defend (60 days if served out of state or through a state agency).
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · Maine small claims · Massachusetts small claims