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Small Claims Court Limit by State (2026)

The maximum amount you can sue for in small claims court varies significantly by state — from $2,500 in Rhode Island to $25,000 in Tennessee and Delaware. Find your state below for the current limit, court name, filing fees, and statute of limitations.

Highest Limits

All 50 States — Alphabetical

Alabama $6,000

Small Claims Court (District Court)

Alaska $10,000

Small Claims Court (District Court)

Arizona $5,000

Small Claims Division, Justice Court

Arkansas $5,000

Small Claims Court (District Court)

California $12,500

Small Claims Court (Superior Court)

Colorado $7,500

Small Claims Court (County Court)

Connecticut $5,000

Small Claims Session (Superior Court)

Delaware $25,000

Justice of the Peace Court

Florida $8,000

Small Claims Court (County Court)

Georgia $15,000

Magistrate Court

Hawaii $5,000

Small Claims Division, District Court

Idaho $5,000

Small Claims Department, Magistrate Division

Illinois $10,000

Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)

Indiana $10,000

Small Claims Court (Marion County) / Circuit or Superior Court (elsewhere)

Iowa $6,500

Small Claims Court (District Court)

Kansas $10,000

Small Claims Procedure (District Court)

Kentucky $2,500

Small Claims Division, District Court

Louisiana $5,000

Small Claims Docket (City Court or Justice of the Peace)

Maine $10,000

Small Claims Court (District Court)

Maryland $5,000

District Court (Small Claims)

Massachusetts $7,000

Small Claims Session (District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court)

Michigan $7,000

Small Claims Division, District Court

Minnesota $20,000

Conciliation Court (District Court)

Mississippi $3,500

Small Claims Court (Justice Court)

Missouri $5,000

Associate Circuit Court (Small Claims)

Montana $7,000

Small Claims Court (Justice Court or City Court)

Nebraska $7,500

Small Claims Court (County Court)

Nevada $10,000

Small Claims Court (Justice Court)

New Hampshire $10,000

Small Claims Court (Circuit Court - District Division)

New Jersey $5,000

Small Claims Section, Special Civil Part (Superior Court)

New Mexico $10,000

Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court or Metropolitan Court)

New York $10,000

Small Claims Court (varies by location)

North Carolina $10,000

Small Claims Court (District Court, heard by Magistrate)

North Dakota $15,000

Small Claims Court (District Court)

Ohio $6,000

Small Claims Division, Municipal Court or County Court

Oklahoma $10,000

Small Claims Docket (District Court)

Oregon $10,000

Small Claims Department (Circuit Court or Justice Court)

Pennsylvania $12,000

Magisterial District Court (MDJ)

Rhode Island $5,000

Small Claims Court (District Court)

South Carolina $7,500

Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court)

South Dakota $12,000

Small Claims Court (Magistrate Court)

Tennessee $25,000

General Sessions Court

Texas ← Flash Justice$20,000

Justice of the Peace Court (JP Court)

Utah $20,000

Small Claims Court (Justice Court)

Vermont $10,000

Small Claims Court (Civil Division, Superior Court)

Virginia $5,000

General District Court (Small Claims)

Washington $10,000

Small Claims Court (District Court or Municipal Court)

West Virginia $10,000

Magistrate Court

Wisconsin $10,000

Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)

Wyoming $6,000

Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)

Note: Small claims court limits, court names, and procedures change over time. Always verify current information with your state's official court website before filing. This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

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Small Claims Court Limit by State (2026) | Flash Justice