Short answer. In Nebraska, small claims (Small Claims Court (County Court)) cover claims up to $7,500. Where to file: County where the defendant or defendant's agent resides; filing in the wrong court leads to dismissal and loss of filing fees and prepaid costs. The fee to start a case is $6.25.
Can I file my claim in Nebraska small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Nebraska limit of $7,500.
Nebraska small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $7,500. Judgments in small claims court may not exceed $7,500. Nebraska Judicial Branch announced the limit rose from $6,000 to $7,500 effective July 1, 2025, under LB139 (2024) provisions (limit set under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2802).
- Court
- Small Claims Court (County Court)
- Who can file
- Individuals, corporations, partnerships, unions and other organizations may be plaintiffs or defendants. Assigned claims may not be filed; only an individual directly involved in the transaction may pursue the claim. No more than two small claims in any calendar week and no more than 10 in any calendar year.
- Lawyers
- Not allowed
- Where to file
- County where the defendant or defendant's agent resides; filing in the wrong court leads to dismissal and loss of filing fees and prepaid costs.
- Serving the other side
- Plaintiff chooses sheriff service or certified mail (form CC 4:5); process server also possible (plaintiff pays server). Sheriff/constable fees paid when filing.
- Appeal
- Either party may appeal within 30 days after judgment (see Nebraska Judicial Branch page 'Appealing or Setting Aside a County Court Civil or Small Claims Judgment'); a defendant with a default judgment may instead move to set it aside within 30 days. Lawyers allowed if case is transferred to regular county court docket.
Nebraska filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| small claims filing fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804(2) | $6.25 | Statutory small claims fee only; other county court costs and service fees apply. Total not confirmed. |
Nebraska Judicial Branch says all court costs and service fees are subject to change and links to its Filing Fees and Court Costs schedule; sheriff/constable or process server fees are paid separately. Fee waiver: in forma pauperis affidavit DC 6:7.1.
Not confirmed for Nebraska: online filing. The official Nebraska page we checked didn't state this, so we left it out. Ask the clerk or see the official page.
Filing a small claim in Nebraska, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Nebraska limit is $7,500, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtCounty where the defendant or defendant's agent resides; filing in the wrong court leads to dismissal and loss of filing fees and prepaid costs.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Nebraska is $6.25, depending on the claim. Nebraska Judicial Branch says all court costs and service fees are subject to change and links to its Filing Fees and Court Costs schedule; sheriff/constable or process server fees are paid separately. Fee waiver: in forma pauperis affidavit DC 6:7.1.
- Have the other side servedPlaintiff chooses sheriff service or certified mail (form CC 4:5); process server also possible (plaintiff pays server). Sheriff/constable fees paid when filing.
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: not allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionEither party may appeal within 30 days after judgment (see Nebraska Judicial Branch page 'Appealing or Setting Aside a County Court Civil or Small Claims Judgment'); a defendant with a default judgment may instead move to set it aside within 30 days. Lawyers allowed if case is transferred to regular county court docket.
Official Nebraska links
- Nebraska small claims self-help page
- Nebraska Judicial Branch: Nebraska Increases Jurisdictional Limits for Small Claims and County Courts
- Nebraska Judicial Branch: Small Claims (self-represented litigant resources)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Nebraska 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.
Nebraska small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Nebraska?
$7,500. Judgments in small claims court may not exceed $7,500. Nebraska Judicial Branch announced the limit rose from $6,000 to $7,500 effective July 1, 2025, under LB139 (2024) provisions (limit set under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2802).
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Nebraska?
small claims filing fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804(2): $6.25 (Statutory small claims fee only; other county court costs and service fees apply. Total not confirmed.). Nebraska Judicial Branch says all court costs and service fees are subject to change and links to its Filing Fees and Court Costs schedule; sheriff/constable or process server fees are paid separately. Fee waiver: in forma pauperis affidavit DC 6:7.1.
Can a lawyer represent me in Nebraska small claims?
Not allowed in Nebraska, per the official page. Individuals, corporations, partnerships, unions and other organizations may be plaintiffs or defendants. Assigned claims may not be filed; only an individual directly involved in the transaction may pursue the claim. No more than two small claims in any calendar week and no more than 10 in any calendar year.
Where do I file a small claim in Nebraska?
County where the defendant or defendant's agent resides; filing in the wrong court leads to dismissal and loss of filing fees and prepaid costs.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Nebraska?
Either party may appeal within 30 days after judgment (see Nebraska Judicial Branch page 'Appealing or Setting Aside a County Court Civil or Small Claims Judgment'); a defendant with a default judgment may instead move to set it aside within 30 days. Lawyers allowed if case is transferred to regular county court docket.
How is the other side served in a Nebraska small claims case?
Plaintiff chooses sheriff service or certified mail (form CC 4:5); process server also possible (plaintiff pays server). Sheriff/constable fees paid when filing.
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