Small claims court limit by state
Every state caps how much you can sue for in small claims court, and each state sets its own filing fees and deadlines. Those figures are changed by legislatures and court rules, so we do not republish them — the table below points you to the court that hears your case and to the official source for the current limit, plus free guides for both sides of a case.
What the limit actually means
The limit is the most a small claims judge can award you. If your loss is larger, you can usually still file — but you give up the excess, and that waiver is permanent. Suing for more means moving to a higher civil court, where procedures are formal and most people hire a lawyer. Separate, lower limits sometimes apply to businesses, and some claim types (evictions, defamation, family matters) are excluded from small claims entirely.
Courts and guides by state
| State | Court that hears small claims | Free guides |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Alaska | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Arizona | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Arkansas | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| California | California Small Claims Court (a division of the Superior Court) | Suing·Being sued |
| Colorado | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Connecticut | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Delaware | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| District of Columbia | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Florida | Florida County Court (Small Claims Rules) | Suing·Being sued |
| Georgia | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Hawaii | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Idaho | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Illinois | Illinois Circuit Court (Small Claims) | Suing·Being sued |
| Indiana | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Iowa | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Kansas | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Kentucky | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Louisiana | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Maine | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Maryland | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Massachusetts | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Michigan | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Minnesota | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Mississippi | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Missouri | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Montana | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Nebraska | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Nevada | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| New Hampshire | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| New Jersey | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| New Mexico | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| New York | New York Small Claims Part (City, Town, or Village Court) | Suing·Being sued |
| North Carolina | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| North Dakota | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Ohio | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Oklahoma | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Oregon | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Pennsylvania | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Rhode Island | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| South Carolina | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| South Dakota | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Tennessee | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Texas | Texas Justice Court (Small Claims docket) | Suing·Being sued |
| Utah | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Vermont | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Virginia | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Washington | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| West Virginia | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Wisconsin | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
| Wyoming | Check your state court directory | Suing·Being sued |
Where to confirm the current limit
- USA.gov — official state court directoryFind your state's official court website.
- LawHelp.org — free legal help by stateFree and low-cost legal aid and self-help centers near you.
Ready to file — or to defend?
The state action plan adds a filing checklist, an evidence log, a fee waiver worksheet, and hearing prep you can print and bring to court.