Small Claims Limits by State
The maximum you can sue for in small claims court ranges from $2,500 to $25,000, and the national middle is about $10,000.
Sorted from the highest to the lowest limit. An asterisk means a lower cap applies to businesses. Learn the process in how small claims court works.
| State | Limit | Filing fee | Lawyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $25,000 | $35 to $45 (debt claims) | Not needed for individuals |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | Varies by county | Not required for individuals |
| Minnesota | $20,000 | $65 plus county law library fee | Allowed, not required |
| Texas | $20,000 | $54 plus service | Allowed, not required |
| Utah | $20,000 | $60, $100 or $185 | Allowed, not required |
| West Virginia | $20,000 | $50 to $70 | Allowed, not required |
| Georgia | $15,000 | $22 deposit cap plus other charges | Not required |
| Idaho | $15,000 | $69 | Not at trial |
| North Dakota | $15,000 | $20 | Allowed |
| California | $12,500* | $30, $50 or $75 ($100 for frequent filers) | Not at the hearing |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | $68.50 to $171 base, plus county charges | Optional |
| South Dakota | $12,000 | $24.84 to $42.84 | Allowed, not required |
| Alaska | $10,000 | $50 or $100 | Allowed; required for assignees |
| District of Columbia | $10,000 | $5, $10 or $45 | Required for corporate and partnership plaintiffs |
| Illinois | $10,000 | Varies by county | Allowed; required for corporations suing or counterclaiming |
| Indiana | $10,000 | $35 plus $10 service per defendant | Allowed; required for assigned claims |
| Kansas | $10,000 | $35 or $55 plus surcharges | Not before judgment unless the other side has one |
| Maine | $10,000 | $70 | Allowed, not required |
| Nevada | $10,000 | Varies by court | Allowed (each side pays its own) |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 | See New Hampshire guide | Not required |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | $77 in courts checked | Allowed (most corporations and LLCs need one) |
| New York | $10,000 | $10 to $20 | Allowed, not required |
| North Carolina | $10,000 | $96 | Not required |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | $45 up to $5,000; higher above | Allowed |
| Oregon | $10,000 | $57 or $102 | Only with the judge's consent |
| Vermont | $10,000 | $65 or $90 | Allowed, not required |
| Washington | $10,000 | $35 or $50 | Only with the judge's consent |
| Wisconsin | $10,000 | $94.50 ($98 Milwaukee County); $124 ($131.50) from Nov. 1, 2026 | Allowed, not required |
| Florida | $8,000 | Varies by county | Allowed, not required |
| Colorado | $7,500 | $31 or $55 | Generally not allowed |
| Nebraska | $7,500 | $58 | Not at the hearing |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | $80 | Allowed, not required |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 | $40 to $150 | Allowed; court may limit |
| Michigan | $7,000 | $30, $50 or $70 | Not allowed (unless removed to regular civil court) |
| Montana | $7,000 | $30 | Not unless every party has one |
| Iowa | $6,500 | $115 | Allowed, not required |
| Alabama | $6,000 | $35 to $198 | Optional; required for assignees |
| Ohio | $6,000 | Varies by court | Allowed, not required |
| Wyoming | $6,000 | $10 plus service | Allowed, not required |
| Arizona | $5,000 | $30 base filing fee | Only if both sides agree in writing |
| Arkansas | $5,000 | Varies by court (typically $30 to $65) | Not allowed |
| Connecticut | $5,000 | $95 | Allowed, not required |
| Hawaii | $5,000 | $35 | Allowed, except security deposit cases |
| Louisiana | $5,000 | $35 per defendant (city court); up to $130 plus $20 per added defendant (justice of the peace) | Not required |
| Maryland | $5,000 | $44 | Allowed, not required |
| Missouri | $5,000 | Varies by circuit | Not required |
| New Jersey | $5,000 | $35 plus $10 mail service per defendant | Allowed, not required |
| Rhode Island | $5,000 | In transition; confirm with clerk | Not required for individuals; corporations generally need one |
| Virginia | $5,000 | $36 plus $12 service (total varies by court) | Generally not allowed |
| Mississippi | $3,500 | $25 | Allowed |
| Kentucky | $2,500 | $38 plus other required fees | Allowed, not required |
How we built this table. Figures come from published 50-state surveys of state statutes and court rules, retrieved 2026-10-20. A number is shown only when at least two surveys agree; otherwise we leave it out. Laws change, so confirm with the statute cited or your state court before you rely on a figure. This is general information, not legal advice.