--- title: "Massachusetts Small Claims Court: $7,000 Limit, $40-$150 Fee" description: "Massachusetts small claims court: claims up to $7,000, filing fee $40 to $150. Check your amount and see where to file, from official court pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/small-claims-massachusetts" --- Free checker · Massachusetts small claims # Massachusetts small claims court: the $7,000 limit and how to file Massachusetts's limit, fees, who can file and the official steps, taken from Massachusetts's own court pages (checked November 2026). **Short answer.** In Massachusetts, small claims court covers claims up to **$7,000**. Where to file: District Court or Boston Municipal Court where at least one party lives, works or has a business, or (landlord-tenant) where the rental property is; Housing Court where the rental property is. The fee to start a case is **$40 to $150**, depending on the claim. ## Can I file my claim in Massachusetts small claims? Enter an amount to compare it with the Massachusetts limit of $7,000. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). ## Massachusetts small claims at a glance Limit $7,000. Not more than $7,000 unless the claim is for property damage from a car accident. Some consumer protection and landlord-tenant claims may carry statutory damages above $7,000. Court Small claims, Boston Municipal Court, District Court or Housing Court Who can file A person, a person doing business under a trade name, a corporation or a trust. Claims for money owed in a trade or business have extra requirements. Lawyers Allowed Where to file District Court or Boston Municipal Court where at least one party lives, works or has a business, or (landlord-tenant) where the rental property is; Housing Court where the rental property is. Serving the other side The clerk mails the Statement of Claim and Notice to the defendant. Appeal A defendant may appeal within 10 days; a plaintiff only in very specific instances. Both sides waive a jury trial in small claims. ### Massachusetts filing fees | Fee | Amount | Note | | --- | --- | --- | | claim of $500 or less | $40 | | | $501 to $2,000 | $50 | | | $2,001 to $5,000 | $100 | | | $5,001 to $7,000 | $150 | | | car accident claim above $7,000 | $150 | | | eFiling service fee | $7 | | From mass.gov. A defendant who appeals pays an appeal fee and posts $100 unless the court waives it. ## 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 Massachusetts, step by step - **Check that your claim fits**Use the checker above: the Massachusetts limit is $7,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos. - **Pick the right court**District Court or Boston Municipal Court where at least one party lives, works or has a business, or (landlord-tenant) where the rental property is; Housing Court where the rental property is. - **Fill out the claim and pay the fee**The filing fee in Massachusetts is $40 to $150, depending on the claim. From mass.gov. A defendant who appeals pays an appeal fee and posts $100 unless the court waives it. Online filing: see the official link below. - **Have the other side served**The clerk mails the Statement of Claim and Notice to the defendant. - **Get ready for the hearing**Lawyers: allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side. - **After the decision**A defendant may appeal within 10 days; a plaintiff only in very specific instances. Both sides waive a jury trial in small claims. ## Official Massachusetts links - [Massachusetts small claims self-help page](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-small-claim-in-the-boston-municipal-court-district-court-or-housing-court) - [Massachusetts online filing](https://massachusetts.tylertech.cloud/SRL/SRL) - [Mass.gov: Small Claims Court](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/small-claims-court) Last checked November 2026. General information checked against the official Massachusetts 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. ## Massachusetts small claims questions **What is the small claims limit in Massachusetts?** $7,000. Not more than $7,000 unless the claim is for property damage from a car accident. Some consumer protection and landlord-tenant claims may carry statutory damages above $7,000. **How much does it cost to file a small claim in Massachusetts?** claim of $500 or less: $40; $501 to $2,000: $50; $2,001 to $5,000: $100; $5,001 to $7,000: $150; car accident claim above $7,000: $150; eFiling service fee: $7. From mass.gov. A defendant who appeals pays an appeal fee and posts $100 unless the court waives it. **Can a lawyer represent me in Massachusetts small claims?** Allowed in Massachusetts, per the official page. A person, a person doing business under a trade name, a corporation or a trust. Claims for money owed in a trade or business have extra requirements. **Where do I file a small claim in Massachusetts?** District Court or Boston Municipal Court where at least one party lives, works or has a business, or (landlord-tenant) where the rental property is; Housing Court where the rental property is. **Can I appeal a small claims decision in Massachusetts?** A defendant may appeal within 10 days; a plaintiff only in very specific instances. Both sides waive a jury trial in small claims. **How is the other side served in a Massachusetts small claims case?** The clerk mails the Statement of Claim and Notice to the defendant. Compare every state: [small claims limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) · [Maryland small claims](/tools/small-claims-maryland) · [Michigan small claims](/tools/small-claims-michigan) 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 Massachusetts? ## Small Claims Case Organizer Organize your Massachusetts case: a demand letter to adapt to Massachusetts'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 Do it yourself ### Massachusetts Small Claims Court Kit In Massachusetts, small claims (Small claims, Boston Municipal Court, District Court or Housing Court) cover claims up to $7,000. From the official page: Not more than $7,000 unless the claim is for property damage from a car accident. [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/massachusetts-small-claims-court-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/massachusetts-small-claims-court-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund ## More free checklists and calculators [See all free tools](/free-tools)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)