Short answer. In Missouri, small claims (Small claims court, a division of the circuit court) cover claims up to $5,000. Where to file: The county where the defendant lives or the transaction happened; where the plaintiff lives if the defendant can be found there; or where a business defendant has an office or registered agent. Missouri's filing fee wasn't on the official page we checked; ask the clerk.
Can I file my claim in Missouri small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Missouri limit of $5,000.
Missouri small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $5,000. A civil claim that doesn't exceed $5,000, not counting court costs and interest. No more than 12 small claims per calendar year.
- Court
- Small claims court, a division of the circuit court
- Who can file
- Any person or business with a money claim against someone who owes them; you can't file for someone else or on an assigned claim. A minor needs an adult 'next friend'.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- The county where the defendant lives or the transaction happened; where the plaintiff lives if the defendant can be found there; or where a business defendant has an office or registered agent.
- Serving the other side
- The court mails the summons by certified mail; if that fails, a process server or sheriff can serve for an extra fee. The defendant must get the summons at least 10 days before the court date.
- Appeal
- Application for Trial de Novo within 10 days of the decision: a new trial before a different judge or a jury.
The handbook says to contact the county clerk's office for the exact filing, certified mail and service charges.
Not confirmed for Missouri: filing fees, online filing. The official Missouri 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 Missouri, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Missouri 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 defendant lives or the transaction happened; where the plaintiff lives if the defendant can be found there; or where a business defendant has an office or registered agent.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe handbook says to contact the county clerk's office for the exact filing, certified mail and service charges.
- Have the other side servedThe court mails the summons by certified mail; if that fails, a process server or sheriff can serve for an extra fee. The defendant must get the summons at least 10 days before the court date.
- 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 decisionApplication for Trial de Novo within 10 days of the decision: a new trial before a different judge or a jury.
Official Missouri links
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Missouri 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.
Missouri small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Missouri?
$5,000. A civil claim that doesn't exceed $5,000, not counting court costs and interest. No more than 12 small claims per calendar year.
Can a lawyer represent me in Missouri small claims?
Allowed in Missouri, per the official page. Any person or business with a money claim against someone who owes them; you can't file for someone else or on an assigned claim. A minor needs an adult 'next friend'.
Where do I file a small claim in Missouri?
The county where the defendant lives or the transaction happened; where the plaintiff lives if the defendant can be found there; or where a business defendant has an office or registered agent.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Missouri?
Application for Trial de Novo within 10 days of the decision: a new trial before a different judge or a jury.
How is the other side served in a Missouri small claims case?
The court mails the summons by certified mail; if that fails, a process server or sheriff can serve for an extra fee. The defendant must get the summons at least 10 days before the court date.
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · Mississippi small claims · Montana small claims