Short answer. In Oregon, small claims (Small Claims Department (Circuit Court; also Justice Courts)) cover claims up to $10,000. Where to file: County where a defendant resides or may be found; for tort claims also where the claim arose; for contracts to be performed in a county, also that county (ORS 46.560). The fee to start a case is $57 to $102, depending on the claim.
Can I file my claim in Oregon small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Oregon limit of $10,000.
Oregon small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $10,000. ORS 46.405 (2025 edition): small claims department available for claims up to $10,000; claims of $750 or less must be filed in small claims (except where the law allows attorney fees). Claims between $750 and $10,000 may go to small claims or general civil court. Senate Bill 484 (2025 session) proposed raising the limit to $20,000, but the 2025 ORS edition still shows $10,000; no enacted change was confirmed.
- Also
- mandatory small claims (claims of $750 or less): $750
- Court
- Small Claims Department (Circuit Court; also Justice Courts)
- Who can file
- Plaintiff must make a good-faith effort to collect before filing and state it under oath. Business entities and government bodies may appear without an attorney; assignees may prosecute assigned claims (ORS 46.415). Debt buyers/collectors must meet UTCR 5.180(2) and ORS 646A.670.
- Lawyers
- Allowed with limits
- Where to file
- County where a defendant resides or may be found; for tort claims also where the claim arose; for contracts to be performed in a county, also that county (ORS 46.560).
- Serving the other side
- As for a summons (personal, substituted, office service by sheriff, process server or eligible non-party adult) or certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery (ORS 46.445; OJD plaintiff instructions). Defendant may sign an Acceptance of Service.
- Appeal
- No appeal from a small claims judgment (ORS 46.485(4)); judgment is conclusive on the parties.
Oregon filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| claim of $2,500 or less | $57 | ORS 46.570; same fee charged to a defendant who demands a hearing |
| claim over $2,500 | $102 | ORS 46.570; same fee charged to a defendant who demands a hearing |
Statutory amounts from ORS 46.570 (2025 edition). Fee deferral/waiver available. Service costs are extra.
Not confirmed for Oregon: online filing. The official Oregon 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 Oregon, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Oregon limit is $10,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtCounty where a defendant resides or may be found; for tort claims also where the claim arose; for contracts to be performed in a county, also that county (ORS 46.560).
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Oregon is $57 to $102, depending on the claim. Statutory amounts from ORS 46.570 (2025 edition). Fee deferral/waiver available. Service costs are extra.
- Have the other side servedAs for a summons (personal, substituted, office service by sheriff, process server or eligible non-party adult) or certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery (ORS 46.445; OJD plaintiff instructions). Defendant may sign an Acceptance of Service.
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed with limits. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionNo appeal from a small claims judgment (ORS 46.485(4)); judgment is conclusive on the parties.
Official Oregon links
- Oregon small claims self-help page
- Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 46 (2025 edition)
- Multnomah County Circuit Court: Small Claims
- SB 484 (2025) introduced text
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Oregon 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.
Oregon small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Oregon?
$10,000. ORS 46.405 (2025 edition): small claims department available for claims up to $10,000; claims of $750 or less must be filed in small claims (except where the law allows attorney fees). Claims between $750 and $10,000 may go to small claims or general civil court. Senate Bill 484 (2025 session) proposed raising the limit to $20,000, but the 2025 ORS edition still shows $10,000; no enacted change was confirmed.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Oregon?
claim of $2,500 or less: $57 (ORS 46.570; same fee charged to a defendant who demands a hearing); claim over $2,500: $102 (ORS 46.570; same fee charged to a defendant who demands a hearing). Statutory amounts from ORS 46.570 (2025 edition). Fee deferral/waiver available. Service costs are extra.
Can a lawyer represent me in Oregon small claims?
Allowed with limits in Oregon, per the official page. Plaintiff must make a good-faith effort to collect before filing and state it under oath. Business entities and government bodies may appear without an attorney; assignees may prosecute assigned claims (ORS 46.415). Debt buyers/collectors must meet UTCR 5.180(2) and ORS 646A.670.
Where do I file a small claim in Oregon?
County where a defendant resides or may be found; for tort claims also where the claim arose; for contracts to be performed in a county, also that county (ORS 46.560).
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Oregon?
No appeal from a small claims judgment (ORS 46.485(4)); judgment is conclusive on the parties.
How is the other side served in a Oregon small claims case?
As for a summons (personal, substituted, office service by sheriff, process server or eligible non-party adult) or certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery (ORS 46.445; OJD plaintiff instructions). Defendant may sign an Acceptance of Service.
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