Small claims court limits by state
The most you can sue for in small claims court, typical filing fees, whether lawyers are allowed, and how appeals work.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
| State | Dollar limit | Filing fee | Lawyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama From a statute-cited table | $6,000 | $35 to $198 | Optional |
| Alaska From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $50 or $100 | Allowed |
| Arizona From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | $30 base fee | Only if both sides agree in writing |
| Arkansas From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | About $30 to $65 | Not allowed |
| California From a statute-cited table | $12,500 (individuals); $6,250 (businesses) | $30, $50 or $75 | Not at the hearing |
| Colorado From a statute-cited table | $7,500 | $31 or $55 | Generally not allowed |
| Connecticut From a statute-cited table | $5,000 ($15,000 for home improvement or new construction) | $95 | Allowed |
| Delaware From a statute-cited table | $25,000 (Justice of the Peace Court) | $35 to $45 for debt claims | Not needed for individuals |
| District of Columbia From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $5, $10 or $45 | Required for corporate plaintiffs |
| Florida From a statute-cited table | $8,000 | Varies by county | Allowed |
| Georgia From a statute-cited table | $15,000 ($25,000 for cases filed from Jan. 1, 2027) | About $22 plus service charges | Not required |
| Hawaii From a statute-cited table | $5,000 (no cap for security deposit cases) | $35 | Allowed, except security deposit cases |
| Idaho From a statute-cited table | $15,000 (since July 1, 2026; was $5,000) | $69 | Not at trial |
| Illinois From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | Varies by county | Allowed; corporations need one |
| Indiana From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $97 ($87 e-filed) plus service | Allowed |
| Iowa From a statute-cited table | $6,500 | $115 | Allowed |
| Kansas From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $35 or $55 plus surcharges | Not before judgment unless the other side has one |
| Kentucky From a statute-cited table | $2,500 | $38 plus other fees | Allowed |
| Louisiana From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | $35 per defendant (city court); varies (justice of the peace) | Not required |
| Maine From a statute-cited table | $10,000 (since Jan. 1, 2026; was $6,000) | $70 | Allowed |
| Maryland From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | $44 | Allowed |
| Massachusetts From a statute-cited table | $7,000 (no cap for car property damage) | $40 to $150 | Allowed |
| Michigan From a statute-cited table | $7,000 | $30, $50 or $70 | Not allowed |
| Minnesota From a statute-cited table | $20,000 ($4,000 for consumer credit) | $65 plus law library fee | Allowed |
| Mississippi From a statute-cited table | $3,500 (justice court) | $25 | Allowed |
| Missouri From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | Varies by circuit | Not required |
| Montana From a statute-cited table | $7,000 | $30 | Not unless every party has one |
| Nebraska From a statute-cited table | $7,500 (since July 1, 2025) | $58 | Not at the hearing |
| Nevada From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | Varies by court | Allowed |
| New Hampshire From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $125 or $180 | Not required |
| New Jersey From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | $35 plus $10 mail service per defendant | Allowed |
| New Mexico From a statute-cited table | $10,000 (magistrate court) | About $77 | Allowed; most companies need one |
| New York From a statute-cited table | $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the court ($10,000 in NYC) | $10 to $20 | Allowed |
| North Carolina From a statute-cited table | $10,000 (lower in some counties) | $96 | Not required |
| North Dakota From a statute-cited table | $15,000 | $20 | Allowed |
| Ohio From a statute-cited table | $6,000 | Varies by court | Allowed |
| Oklahoma From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $45 up to $5,000; higher above | Allowed |
| Oregon From a statute-cited table | $10,000 | $57 or $102 | Only with the judge's consent |
| Pennsylvania From a statute-cited table | $12,000 | $68.50 to $171 plus county charges | Optional |
| Rhode Island From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | Confirm with the clerk | Not required for individuals |
| South Carolina From a statute-cited table | $7,500 (magistrates court) | $80 | Allowed |
| South Dakota From a statute-cited table | $12,000 | $24.84 to $42.84 | Allowed |
| Tennessee From a statute-cited table | $25,000 (General Sessions Court) | Varies by county | Not required for individuals |
| Texas From a statute-cited table | $20,000 (Justice Court) | $54 plus service | Allowed |
| Utah From a statute-cited table | $20,000 ($25,000 from Jan. 1, 2030) | $60, $100 or $185 | Allowed |
| Vermont From a statute-cited table | $10,000 ($5,000 for consumer credit or medical debt) | $65 or $90 | Allowed |
| Virginia From a statute-cited table | $5,000 | About $36 plus $12 service | Generally not allowed |
| Washington From a statute-cited table | $10,000 (individuals); $5,000 (others) | $35 or $50 | Only with the judge's consent |
| West Virginia From a statute-cited table | $20,000 (magistrate court) | $50 to $70 | Allowed |
| Wisconsin From a statute-cited table | $10,000 ($15,000 for cases filed from Jan. 1, 2027) | $94.50 ($124 from Nov. 1, 2026) | Allowed |
| Wyoming From a statute-cited table | $6,000 | $10 plus service | Allowed |
How we checked this
Figures come from a 50-state table audited against court rules and statutes on October 7, 2026, compared with two other 2026 sources. Fees change often and vary by county. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.