Small claims court limits
Small Claims Court Limits by State
Small claims court limits vary by state, with most falling between $2,500 and $25,000. The exact cap depends on your state, court type, and whether you are filing as an individual or a business. Always check the court where you plan to file before reducing your claim or starting a case.
Start Your Demand LetterLimits vary by state and can change. This page is for general planning only and is not legal advice. Confirm the current limit with your local court before filing.
Small Claims Court Limits — All 50 States
Last reviewed: July 2026
Sources: Official state court websites, state statutes, and court self-help centers. Where available, direct official sources are linked in the table below. Individual amounts are approximate and may differ based on court division, case type, or recent statutory changes. Verify with your court.
| State | Small Claims Limit | Key Notes | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,000 | District Court small claims | Alabama Judicial System |
| Alaska | $10,000 | District Court | Alaska Court System |
| Arizona | $5,000 | Justice Court small claims | Arizona Revised Statutes § 22-503 |
| Arkansas | $5,000 | District Court small claims | Arkansas Attorney General |
| California | $12,500 | Individuals; lower limit for businesses | California Courts |
| Colorado | $7,500 | County Court small claims | Colorado Judicial Branch |
| Connecticut | $5,000 | Superior Court small claims | Connecticut Judicial Branch |
| Delaware | $25,000 | Justice of the Peace Court | Delaware Courts |
| Florida | $8,000 | Excludes costs, interest, and attorney fees | Florida Courts |
| Georgia | Less than $15,000 | Magistrate Court small claims | Georgia AG Consumer Protection |
| Hawaii | $5,000 | Residential security deposit claims may be treated differently | Hawaii Judiciary |
| Idaho | $5,000 | Magistrate Division small claims | Idaho Supreme Court |
| Illinois | $10,000 | Circuit Court small claims | Illinois Courts |
| Indiana | $10,000 | Small Claims Division | Indiana Courts |
| Iowa | $6,500 | District Court small claims | Iowa Code Chapter 631 |
| Kansas | $10,000 | District Court | Kansas Session Laws 2024, HB 2604 |
| Kentucky | $2,500 | District Court small claims | Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 24A |
| Louisiana | $5,000 | Justice of the Peace / City Court | Louisiana State Legislature |
| Maine | $10,000 | Effective Jan. 1, 2026 | Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 § 7482 |
| Maryland | $5,000 | District Court small claims | Maryland Courts |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 | District Court small claims | Mass.gov |
| Michigan | $7,000 | Small Claims Division of District Court | Michigan Courts |
| Minnesota | $20,000 | Conciliation Court; consumer credit claims capped at $4,000 | Minnesota Judicial Branch |
| Mississippi | $3,500 | Justice Court | Mississippi Judiciary |
| Missouri | $5,000 | Associate Circuit Court small claims | Missouri Courts |
| Montana | $7,000 | Justice Court | Montana Code Annotated |
| Nebraska | $7,500 | County Court small claims | Nebraska Judicial Branch |
| Nevada | $10,000 | Justice Court small claims | Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 73 |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 | District Division small claims | New Hampshire RSA 503:1 |
| New Jersey | $5,000 | Special Civil Part | New Jersey Courts |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | Metropolitan/Magistrate Court small claims | New Mexico Courts |
| New York | Up to $10,000 | NYC Civil Court is up to $10,000; city courts, town courts, and village courts may have lower limits | NY Courts |
| North Carolina | Up to $10,000 | Varies by county from $5,000 to $10,000 | North Carolina Judicial Branch |
| North Dakota | $15,000 | District Court small claims | North Dakota Courts |
| Ohio | $6,000 | Municipal/County Court small claims | Supreme Court of Ohio |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | District Court small claims | Oklahoma State Courts Network |
| Oregon | $10,000 | Circuit Court small claims | Oregon Judicial Department |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | Magisterial District Judge Court small claims | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes |
| Rhode Island | $5,000 | District Court small claims | Rhode Island Judiciary |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | Magistrate Court small claims | South Carolina Judicial Branch |
| South Dakota | $12,000 | Magistrate Court small claims | South Dakota Unified Judicial System |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | General Sessions Court; limit excludes costs and interest | Tennessee CTAS |
| Texas | $20,000 | Justice Court small claims | Texas State Law Library |
| Utah | $20,000 | Justice Court small claims | Utah Courts |
| Vermont | $10,000 | Consumer credit / medical debt capped at $5,000 | Vermont Judiciary |
| Virginia | $5,000 | General District Court small claims | Virginia Courts |
| Washington | $10,000 | Individuals; lower limit may apply to businesses | Washington Attorney General |
| West Virginia | $20,000 | Magistrate Court civil claims; excludes interest and costs | West Virginia Code §50-2-1 |
| Wisconsin | $10,000 | Tort / personal injury claims limited to $5,000 | Wisconsin Court System |
| Wyoming | $6,000 | Circuit Court small claims | Wyoming Judicial Branch |
Limits listed are approximate and may vary by court division, county, or recent changes to state law. Always confirm the current limit with the court where you plan to file.
Important Limit Exceptions to Know
- California
Individuals and businesses have different caps
- Washington
Individuals and non-natural persons may have different limits
- Wisconsin
Tort / personal injury claims are capped lower at $5,000
- Vermont
Consumer credit and medical debt capped at $5,000
- Hawaii
Residential security deposit claims may be treated differently
- North Carolina
Limit varies by county from $5,000 to $10,000
- Maine
Limit increased to $10,000 effective Jan. 1, 2026
- Georgia
Limit is less than $15,000 — check before filing for exactly $15,000
- Minnesota
Consumer credit claims are capped at $4,000
What the Small Claims Court Limit Means
The small claims court limit is the maximum dollar amount you can ask for when you file a case. This small claims court maximum exists to keep the process accessible and affordable for disputes involving moderate sums. The same small claims court amount rules can also differ based on who is suing — individuals, businesses, and government entities sometimes have different caps in the same state.
- 01
Waiving the excess:
In some states, you may be allowed to waive the amount above the claim cap — for example, suing for $5,000 even though you believe you are owed $7,000. In other states, this may not be permitted. Some courts specifically state that you cannot agree to accept a smaller amount just to stay within the limit. Check your local court rules before reducing your claim.
- 02
Filing in a different court:
Claims above the cap may need to go to a civil division or a higher court level where the process is more formal and filing fees are typically higher.
- 03
Splitting the claim:
Do not assume you can split one dispute into multiple small claims cases. Many courts do not allow claim splitting when the claims arise from the same transaction, contract, or dispute. Some courts explicitly prohibit splitting, and attempting it may result in your case being dismissed or the excess amount being permanently lost. Check your local rules before attempting this approach.
What Counts Toward the Limit?
When calculating whether your claim falls within the small claims court limit, here is what typically matters:
The amount you are asking for
Your damages. This is the primary number the court looks at.
Court costs and filing fees
These may be treated separately from the damages limit in some courts, but rules vary. Check whether your local court allows costs, interest, or fees to be added on top of the small claims court limit.
Interest
Some states allow pre-judgment interest to be added on top of the limit; others require it to be included within the cap.
Attorney fees
Whether recoverable attorney fees count toward the limit varies by state and by the underlying agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the small claims court limit in my state?
The small claims court limit depends on your state, court type, and sometimes the local court division where you file. Most states set their limit between $2,500 and $25,000. See the table above for a state-by-state overview, then confirm the current amount with your local court before filing.
Which state has the highest small claims court limit?
Tennessee and Delaware are among the highest at $25,000. Texas, Utah, Minnesota, and West Virginia are also high-limit states at around $20,000 for general small claims or magistrate court claims. Keep in mind that higher limits may come with different filing requirements — always check the specific court's rules.
Which state has the lowest small claims court limit?
Kentucky is one of the lowest at $2,500. Mississippi is also relatively low at $3,500. Some states have different lower caps for specific claim types, such as consumer debt, medical debt, or tort claims — which may make certain types of claims harder to bring in small claims court in those states.
Does the small claims limit change if I am a business?
In many states, yes — but the rules vary. Some states set a lower small claims court limit for businesses or other entities than for individuals. For example, California individuals may sue for up to $12,500, while businesses and other entities are generally limited to $6,250. A few states also restrict how many small claims cases a business can file in a given year. Check your state's rules for the specific limit that applies to your situation.
Do small claims limits include court costs?
Court costs and filing fees may be treated separately from the damages limit in some courts, but rules vary by state. Some courts allow you to recover filing fees and service costs on top of the claim cap if you win; others may require them to be included within the limit. Check your local court's rules on costs and fees before filing.
Can I sue for more than the limit if I waive the excess?
In some states, you may voluntarily reduce your claim to fit within the small claims limit. In other states, this is not permitted — and attempting to waive the excess may affect your ability to recover the remaining amount later, even in a different court. Always review your local rules before reducing your claim amount to match the cap.
What happens if I ask for more than the limit?
If you file a claim that exceeds your state's small claims maximum amount, the court may reject your filing, reduce your claim to the limit, or transfer the case to a different court division. Verifying the current limit before you file can help avoid delays or extra costs.
Before You Focus on the Limit, Start With a Demand Letter
Many disputes are resolved before anyone files a court case. If you send a demand letter first, you may never need to worry about the claim limit at all. Claimdra can guide you through creating one based on your dispute.
Legal disclaimer: This page is informational and not legal advice. Small claims court limits vary by state, county, and sometimes by the type of case or plaintiff. Always confirm the current limit with your local court before filing. Claimdra is a self-help technology platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.