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How Much Can I Sue For in Small Claims Court?
Small claims limits by state, updated for 2026. Find the maximum amount you can sue for, the filing fee, and the court that handles your case.
| State | Maximum claim | Filing fee | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $25,000 | $35–$100 | Justice of the Peace Court |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | $125–$250 | General Sessions Court |
| Texas | $20,000 | $54 | Justice Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Georgia | $15,000 | $20–$50 | Magistrate Court |
| Minnesota | $15,000 | $77 | Conciliation Court (District Court) |
| North Dakota | $15,000 | $30–$75 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| California | $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (businesses) | $30–$75 | Small Claims Court (Superior Court) |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | $35–$100 | Magisterial District Court |
| South Dakota | $12,000 | $20–$60 | Small Claims Court (Circuit Court) |
| Utah | $11,000 | $60–$185 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Alaska | $10,000 | $30–$100 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Illinois | $10,000 | $119–$379 | Small Claims Court (Circuit Court) |
| Nevada | $10,000 | $66–$196 | Small Claims Court (Justice Court) |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 | $80 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | $77 | Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court) |
| North Carolina | $10,000 | $96 | Magistrate Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | $53–$158 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Oregon | $10,000 | $53–$102 | Small Claims Court (Justice Court) |
| Washington | $10,000 (individuals) / $5,000 (businesses) | $15–$50 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| West Virginia | $10,000 | $30–$75 | Magistrate Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Wisconsin | $10,000 | $95 | Small Claims Court (Circuit Court) |
| Florida | $8,000 | $55–$300 | Small Claims Court (County Court) |
| Colorado | $7,500 | $31–$55 | Small Claims Court (County Court) |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | $80 | Magistrate Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 | $40–$150 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Montana | $7,000 | $20 | Small Claims Court (City Court) |
| Iowa | $6,500 | $50 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Michigan | $6,500 | $30–$70 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Alabama | $6,000 | $66–$261 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Indiana | $6,000 | $97 | Small Claims Court (Town or City Court) |
| Maine | $6,000 | $50–$120 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Ohio | $6,000 | $49 | Small Claims Court (Municipal or County Court) |
| Wyoming | $6,000 | $30 | Circuit Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Arkansas | $5,000 | $35–$75 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Connecticut | $5,000 | $95 | Small Claims Court (Superior Court) |
| Hawaii | $5,000 | $30–$80 | District Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Idaho | $5,000 | $35 | Small Claims Court (Magistrate Division) |
| Maryland | $5,000 | $44 | District Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Missouri | $5,000 | $17–$35 | Small Claims Court (Associate Circuit Court) |
| New York | $5,000 | $15–$25 | Small Claims Court (City, Town, or Village Court) |
| Vermont | $5,000 | $40–$80 | Small Claims Court (Civil Division) |
| Virginia | $5,000 | $40–$60 | General District Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Kansas | $4,000 | $30–$70 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Nebraska | $3,900 | $35 | Small Claims Court (County Court) |
| Arizona | $3,500 | $30–$60 | Small Claims Court (Justice Court) |
| Mississippi | $3,500 | $20–$30 | Justice Court (Small Claims Division) |
| Louisiana | $3,000 | $75–$150 | Small Claims Court (City Court) |
| New Jersey | $3,000 (Small Claims) / $5,000 (Special Civil) | $45 (Small Claims) / $87 (Special Civil) | Special Civil Part (Superior Court) |
| Kentucky | $2,500 | $33 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
| Rhode Island | $2,500 | $30–$70 | Small Claims Court (District Court) |
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