Short answer. In Vermont, small claims (Superior Court, Civil Division (Small Claims)) cover claims up to $10,000. Where to file: Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county where the plaintiff lives or where the defendant lives (or has its business). The fee to start a case is $65 to $90, depending on the claim.
Can I file my claim in Vermont small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Vermont limit of $10,000.
Vermont small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $10,000. 12 V.S.A. 5531 (amended 2023, No. 46, eff. June 5, 2023): up to $10,000 (excluding slander/libel); claims may not be split. Collection of consumer credit or medical debt over $5,000 is outside small claims jurisdiction. Note: the Judiciary's June 2022 booklet still says $5,000 (pre-2023).
- Also
- consumer credit transaction or medical debt collection: $5,000
- Court
- Superior Court, Civil Division (Small Claims)
- Who can file
- Plaintiff must start the case; a spouse or family member generally cannot represent a party (Judiciary booklet).
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county where the plaintiff lives or where the defendant lives (or has its business). Claims can be filed in person, by mail, by email or e-filed, per the Vermont Judiciary.
- Serving the other side
- Plaintiff mails documents to the defendant by first-class mail within 7 days; if no answer in 30 days, sheriff or constable must serve. Return of Service must be filed within 60 days.
- Appeal
- Either party may appeal within 30 days of judgment (Notice of Appeal form, fee); an appeal is not a new trial and new evidence is not allowed.
Vermont filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| claim $1,000 or less | $65 | 32 V.S.A. 1431(c)(1) |
| claim $1,001-$10,000 | $90 | 32 V.S.A. 1431(c)(1); medical/consumer credit debt top tier $1,001-$5,000 is $90 |
| counterclaim $500 or less | $25 | |
| counterclaim $501-$10,000 | $35 | |
| appeal to Civil Division | $120 | 32 V.S.A. 1431(d) |
From Vermont Judiciary fees page (no effective date shown). Sheriff service costs extra.
Not confirmed for Vermont: online filing. The official Vermont 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 Vermont, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Vermont 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 courtCivil Division of the Superior Court in the county where the plaintiff lives or where the defendant lives (or has its business). Claims can be filed in person, by mail, by email or e-filed, per the Vermont Judiciary.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Vermont is $65 to $90, depending on the claim. From Vermont Judiciary fees page (no effective date shown). Sheriff service costs extra.
- Have the other side servedPlaintiff mails documents to the defendant by first-class mail within 7 days; if no answer in 30 days, sheriff or constable must serve. Return of Service must be filed within 60 days.
- 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 decisionEither party may appeal within 30 days of judgment (Notice of Appeal form, fee); an appeal is not a new trial and new evidence is not allowed.
Official Vermont links
- Vermont small claims self-help page
- 12 V.S.A. 5531
- Vermont Judiciary: Fees
- Vermont Judiciary: Small Claims Booklet (June 2022)
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Vermont 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.
Vermont small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Vermont?
$10,000. 12 V.S.A. 5531 (amended 2023, No. 46, eff. June 5, 2023): up to $10,000 (excluding slander/libel); claims may not be split. Collection of consumer credit or medical debt over $5,000 is outside small claims jurisdiction. Note: the Judiciary's June 2022 booklet still says $5,000 (pre-2023).
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Vermont?
claim $1,000 or less: $65 (32 V.S.A. 1431(c)(1)); claim $1,001-$10,000: $90 (32 V.S.A. 1431(c)(1); medical/consumer credit debt top tier $1,001-$5,000 is $90); counterclaim $500 or less: $25; counterclaim $501-$10,000: $35; appeal to Civil Division: $120 (32 V.S.A. 1431(d)). From Vermont Judiciary fees page (no effective date shown). Sheriff service costs extra.
Can a lawyer represent me in Vermont small claims?
Allowed in Vermont, per the official page. Plaintiff must start the case; a spouse or family member generally cannot represent a party (Judiciary booklet).
Where do I file a small claim in Vermont?
Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county where the plaintiff lives or where the defendant lives (or has its business). Claims can be filed in person, by mail, by email or e-filed, per the Vermont Judiciary.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Vermont?
Either party may appeal within 30 days of judgment (Notice of Appeal form, fee); an appeal is not a new trial and new evidence is not allowed.
How is the other side served in a Vermont small claims case?
Plaintiff mails documents to the defendant by first-class mail within 7 days; if no answer in 30 days, sheriff or constable must serve. Return of Service must be filed within 60 days.
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