Short answer. In Wisconsin, small claims (Circuit Court, Small Claims) cover claims up to $10,000. Where to file: Evictions: where a defendant resides or the rental property is located. Wisconsin's filing fee wasn't on the official page we checked; ask the clerk.
Can I file my claim in Wisconsin small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Wisconsin limit of $10,000.
Wisconsin small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $10,000. Wis. Stat. 799.01 (2023-24 statutes, published 5-1-25): money-only civil actions of $10,000 or less; tort/personal injury claims $5,000 or less; evictions regardless of rent claimed. Replevin: non-consumer property valued at $10,000 or less, or consumer credit with amount financed of $25,000 or less (Wisconsin court system guide SC-6000V, 02/23).
- Also
- tort / personal injury claims: $5,000
- Also
- replevin, consumer credit transaction (amount financed): $25,000
- Court
- Circuit Court, Small Claims
- Who can file
- Anyone 18 or older (Wisconsin court system guide).
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- Evictions: where a defendant resides or the rental property is located. Most money claims: where a defendant resides or where the claim arose. Consumer claims have additional options, such as where the customer resides or was personally served. The court's guide points to Wisconsin Court System eFiling.
- Serving the other side
- By mail, sheriff, or private process server (sheriff/server charge fees). Counterclaims over $10,000 (or tort counterclaims over $5,000) need personal service within 60 days.
- Appeal
- After a court commissioner decision: file a Demand for Trial (SC-517) within 10 days of the hearing date, or 15 days from mailing of a written decision, with the clerk in the county where the case was heard. After a judge's decision: appeal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Filing fee is set by state law (Wis. Stat. 799.255/814.62); amount not confirmed. Fee waiver forms CV-410A and CV-410B. Sheriff or process server fees are extra.
Not confirmed for Wisconsin: filing fees, online filing. The official Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Wisconsin 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 courtEvictions: where a defendant resides or the rental property is located. Most money claims: where a defendant resides or where the claim arose. Consumer claims have additional options, such as where the customer resides or was personally served. The court's guide points to Wisconsin Court System eFiling.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeFiling fee is set by state law (Wis. Stat. 799.255/814.62); amount not confirmed. Fee waiver forms CV-410A and CV-410B. Sheriff or process server fees are extra.
- Have the other side servedBy mail, sheriff, or private process server (sheriff/server charge fees). Counterclaims over $10,000 (or tort counterclaims over $5,000) need personal service 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 decisionAfter a court commissioner decision: file a Demand for Trial (SC-517) within 10 days of the hearing date, or 15 days from mailing of a written decision, with the clerk in the county where the case was heard. After a judge's decision: appeal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Official Wisconsin links
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Wisconsin?
$10,000. Wis. Stat. 799.01 (2023-24 statutes, published 5-1-25): money-only civil actions of $10,000 or less; tort/personal injury claims $5,000 or less; evictions regardless of rent claimed. Replevin: non-consumer property valued at $10,000 or less, or consumer credit with amount financed of $25,000 or less (Wisconsin court system guide SC-6000V, 02/23).
Can a lawyer represent me in Wisconsin small claims?
Allowed in Wisconsin, per the official page. Anyone 18 or older (Wisconsin court system guide).
Where do I file a small claim in Wisconsin?
Evictions: where a defendant resides or the rental property is located. Most money claims: where a defendant resides or where the claim arose. Consumer claims have additional options, such as where the customer resides or was personally served. The court's guide points to Wisconsin Court System eFiling.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Wisconsin?
After a court commissioner decision: file a Demand for Trial (SC-517) within 10 days of the hearing date, or 15 days from mailing of a written decision, with the clerk in the county where the case was heard. After a judge's decision: appeal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
How is the other side served in a Wisconsin small claims case?
By mail, sheriff, or private process server (sheriff/server charge fees). Counterclaims over $10,000 (or tort counterclaims over $5,000) need personal service within 60 days.
Does Wisconsin have a different limit for some claims?
tort / personal injury claims: $5,000; replevin, consumer credit transaction (amount financed): $25,000. Check the official page for which claims each one covers.
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