--- title: "Washington Small Claims Court: $10,000 Limit, $35 Fee | MCC" description: "Washington small claims court: claims up to $10,000, filing fee $35. Check your amount and see where to file, from official court pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/small-claims-washington" --- Free checker · Washington small claims # Washington small claims court: the $10,000 limit and how to file Washington's limit, fees, who can file and the official steps, taken from Washington's own court pages (checked November 2026). **Short answer.** In Washington, small claims court covers claims up to **$10,000**. Where to file: Generally the district court of the county where the defendant(s) reside (RCW 3.66.040; per WA Attorney General page). The fee to start a case is **$35**. ## Can I file my claim in Washington small claims? Enter an amount to compare it with the Washington limit of $10,000. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). ## Washington small claims at a glance Limit $10,000. RCW 12.40.010 (last amended 2019): $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases (businesses and other entities). Also claims by non-natural persons (businesses, other entities): $5,000 Court Small Claims Department, District Court Who can file Natural persons (up to $10,000) and other entities (up to $5,000). Corporations generally may not be represented by an attorney or legal paraprofessional, subject to RCW 12.40.025 exceptions. Lawyers Allowed with limits Where to file Generally the district court of the county where the defendant(s) reside (RCW 3.66.040; per WA Attorney General page). Serving the other side Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page). Appeal No appeal if the amount claimed was under $250; a party who brought a claim/counterclaim cannot appeal if it claimed under $1,000 (RCW 12.40.120). Appeal within 30 days of entry of judgment per WA Attorney General page (procedures in RCW 12.36). ### Washington filing fees | Fee | Amount | Note | | --- | --- | --- | | filing fee | $35 | Plus any dispute resolution surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035; WA Attorney General page says total is $35 or $50 depending on whether the county has a dispute resolution center. Same fee for counterclaims/cross-claims/third-party claims. | RCW 12.40.020. ## 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 Washington, step by step - **Check that your claim fits**Use the checker above: the Washington 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 court**Generally the district court of the county where the defendant(s) reside (RCW 3.66.040; per WA Attorney General page). - **Fill out the claim and pay the fee**The filing fee in Washington is $35, depending on the claim. RCW 12.40.020. Online filing: see the official link below. - **Have the other side served**Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page). - **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**No appeal if the amount claimed was under $250; a party who brought a claim/counterclaim cannot appeal if it claimed under $1,000 (RCW 12.40.120). Appeal within 30 days of entry of judgment per WA Attorney General page (procedures in RCW 12.36). ## Official Washington links - [Washington small claims self-help page](https://www.atg.wa.gov/small-claims-court-0) - [Washington online filing](https://kingcounty.gov/en/court/district-court/courts-jails-legal-system/small-claims) - [RCW Chapter 12.40 Small Claims (combined chapter PDF)](https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Law/RCWPDF/RCW%20%2012%20%20TITLE/RCW%20%2012%20.%2040%20%20CHAPTER/RCW%20%2012%20.%2040%20%20COMBINEDCHAPTER.pdf) - [King County District Court: Small claims (file online, in person or by mail)](https://kingcounty.gov/en/court/district-court/courts-jails-legal-system/small-claims) Last checked November 2026. General information checked against the official Washington 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. ## Washington small claims questions **What is the small claims limit in Washington?** $10,000. RCW 12.40.010 (last amended 2019): $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases (businesses and other entities). **How much does it cost to file a small claim in Washington?** filing fee: $35 (Plus any dispute resolution surcharge authorized by RCW 7.75.035; WA Attorney General page says total is $35 or $50 depending on whether the county has a dispute resolution center. Same fee for counterclaims/cross-claims/third-party claims.). RCW 12.40.020. **Can a lawyer represent me in Washington small claims?** Allowed with limits in Washington, per the official page. Natural persons (up to $10,000) and other entities (up to $5,000). Corporations generally may not be represented by an attorney or legal paraprofessional, subject to RCW 12.40.025 exceptions. **Where do I file a small claim in Washington?** Generally the district court of the county where the defendant(s) reside (RCW 3.66.040; per WA Attorney General page). **Can I appeal a small claims decision in Washington?** No appeal if the amount claimed was under $250; a party who brought a claim/counterclaim cannot appeal if it claimed under $1,000 (RCW 12.40.120). Appeal within 30 days of entry of judgment per WA Attorney General page (procedures in RCW 12.36). **How is the other side served in a Washington small claims case?** Plaintiff cannot serve personally. Sheriff, process server, non-party adult 18+, or registered/certified mail with return receipt; service complete at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing (RCW 12.40.040; AG page). Compare every state: [small claims limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) · [Virginia small claims](/tools/small-claims-virginia) · [West Virginia small claims](/tools/small-claims-west-virginia) 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 Washington? ## Small Claims Case Organizer Organize your Washington case: a demand letter to adapt to Washington'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 Do it yourself ### Washington Small Claims Court Kit In Washington, small claims (Small Claims Department, District Court) cover claims up to $10,000. From the official page: RCW 12.40.010 (last amended 2019): $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person; $5,000 in all other cases (businesses and other entities). [See what's inside ($19)](/toolkits/washington-small-claims-court-kit) [Free sample](/toolkits/washington-small-claims-court-kit#free-starter)14-day full refund ## More free checklists and calculators [See all free tools](/free-tools)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)