Small Claims Court Lookup
Use this checklist to find and verify the rules for your particular case.
Find your small claims court rules
The state-limit calculator is unavailable because its state information is not verified. A dollar amount alone cannot determine whether a case belongs in small claims court.
Start with your court
- Choose your state in the U.S. Department of Justice court directory.
- Follow the state court links to the local court that may hear your dispute. Look for its small claims self-help pages and forms.
- Check current rules with that court before filing. Ask its clerk or a legal aid provider if you need help finding them.
Questions to check
- What limit applies to this claimant and type of claim? Are interest or costs counted?
- Is this kind of dispute allowed, and is this the right court and location?
- What filing deadline, fee, service requirements, and attorney rules apply?
- What are the hearing, appeal, and collection rules?
For example, Arizona courts say a plaintiff's claims may not exceed $5,000, excluding interest and costs; other restrictions also apply. This is not a determination of eligibility or legal advice.
Why the amount is not enough
Limits can depend on the court, the claimant, and the type of dispute. Courts may exclude some types of claims or require filing in a particular location. Check whether interest and costs count toward the limit and whether any filing deadline applies.
Do not assume that reducing or dividing a claim is permitted or harmless. For example, Arizona courts say a single claim cannot be split into smaller claims to avoid its limit. Ask your court or a lawyer about your options and their consequences.
What to gather before contacting the court
Write down the parties' legal names, where they live or do business, what happened and when, the amount claimed, and how you calculated it. Keep related contracts, receipts, photographs, and correspondence. Avoid sending sensitive information until you know how the court wants it submitted.