--- title: "Minnesota Small Claims: $20,000 Limit, Fees, Steps | MCC" description: "Minnesota small claims court: claims up to $20,000. Check your amount, see where to file and how to start a case, from Minnesota's official court pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/small-claims-minnesota" --- Free checker · Minnesota small claims # Minnesota small claims court: the $20,000 limit and how to file Minnesota's limit, fees, who can file and the official steps, taken from Minnesota's own court pages (checked November 2026). **Short answer.** In Minnesota, small claims court covers claims up to **$20,000**. Where to file: Generally the county where the defendant lives or is located (for a corporation, where the business is located). Minnesota's filing fee wasn't on the official page we checked; ask the clerk. ## Can I file my claim in Minnesota small claims? Enter an amount to compare it with the Minnesota limit of $20,000. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). ## Minnesota small claims at a glance Limit $20,000. General claims of $20,000 or less (Minnesota Judicial Branch conciliation court page). The branch's 2022 hearing booklet still shows the earlier $15,000 figure. Court Conciliation Court Who can file Any person, company, agency or other organization can be a party; a business representative may need a power of attorney. Lawyers Allowed with limits Where to file Generally the county where the defendant lives or is located (for a corporation, where the business is located). Bad-check claims can go where the check was given, and rent or deposit claims where the rental property is. Appeal Appeal to district court, which starts the case over. A judgment isn't effective until 20 days after the order is mailed; a request to vacate a default must be filed within that 20-day stay. Filing fees weren't on the pages checked; ask court administration in your county. **Not confirmed for Minnesota:** filing fees, how the other side is served. The official Minnesota page we checked didn't state these, so we left them out. Ask the clerk or see the [official page](https://mncourts.gov/help-topics/conciliation-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 Minnesota, step by step - **Check that your claim fits**Use the checker above: the Minnesota limit is $20,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos. - **Pick the right court**Generally the county where the defendant lives or is located (for a corporation, where the business is located). Bad-check claims can go where the check was given, and rent or deposit claims where the rental property is. - **Fill out the claim and pay the fee**Filing fees weren't on the pages checked; ask court administration in your county. Online filing: see the official link below. - **Have the other side served**How service works in Minnesota wasn't on the page we checked; the clerk will explain it when you file. - **Get ready for the hearing**Lawyers: allowed with limits. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side. - **After the decision**Appeal to district court, which starts the case over. A judgment isn't effective until 20 days after the order is mailed; a request to vacate a default must be filed within that 20-day stay. ## Official Minnesota links - [Minnesota small claims self-help page](https://mncourts.gov/help-topics/conciliation-court) - [Minnesota online filing](https://mncourts.gov/file-a-case/file-in-a-district-trial-court) - [Minnesota Judicial Branch: What to Expect in a Conciliation Court Hearing (CCT1001, rev. 8/22)](https://www.mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/CourtForms/CCT1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) - [Minnesota Judicial Branch, Hennepin County District Court: FAQs on Conciliation Court](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/hennepinconciliationcourt/faqs-on-conciliation-court) - [Minnesota Judicial Branch: File in a District Trial Court (self-represented filers may use eFile and eServe in all counties)](https://mncourts.gov/file-a-case/file-in-a-district-trial-court) - [Minnesota Judicial Branch: Next Steps, Conciliation Court (eFiling at the end of the Guide & File interview), rev. 10/20](https://MNCourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/CourtForms/Next-Steps_CCT_eFile-w-AOS-Interview_GAF_NS_CCT01.pdf) Last checked November 2026. General information checked against the official Minnesota 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. ## Minnesota small claims questions **What is the small claims limit in Minnesota?** $20,000. General claims of $20,000 or less (Minnesota Judicial Branch conciliation court page). The branch's 2022 hearing booklet still shows the earlier $15,000 figure. **Can a lawyer represent me in Minnesota small claims?** Allowed with limits in Minnesota, per the official page. Any person, company, agency or other organization can be a party; a business representative may need a power of attorney. **Where do I file a small claim in Minnesota?** Generally the county where the defendant lives or is located (for a corporation, where the business is located). Bad-check claims can go where the check was given, and rent or deposit claims where the rental property is. **Can I appeal a small claims decision in Minnesota?** Appeal to district court, which starts the case over. A judgment isn't effective until 20 days after the order is mailed; a request to vacate a default must be filed within that 20-day stay. **Can I file a Minnesota small claim online?** The official link for online filing in Minnesota is https://mncourts.gov/file-a-case/file-in-a-district-trial-court. Check whether it covers your court and your type of case. Compare every state: [small claims limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) · [Michigan small claims](/tools/small-claims-michigan) · [Mississippi small claims](/tools/small-claims-mississippi) 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 Minnesota? ## Small Claims Case Organizer Organize your Minnesota case: a demand letter to adapt to Minnesota'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 ### Minnesota 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/minnesota-small-claims-court-kit) ## More free checklists and calculators [See all free tools](/free-tools)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)