Why the cap matters
Every state uses a small claims court to handle civil disputes below a statutory dollar threshold. The court is designed for self-represented parties, uses simplified procedure, and moves cases from filing to hearing in weeks rather than months.
Above the threshold, the case must be filed in regular civil court (often called district court, superior court, or circuit court depending on the state), where procedure is formal and representation by counsel is practical if not mandatory.
Knowing your state's limit is the first procedural decision a plaintiff makes. File above the cap and the case gets dismissed or transferred. File at or below, and you're in the cheaper, faster court.
The limits, state by state
Rates below reflect statutes in effect as of early 2026. Confirm locally before filing; limits are updated periodically by state legislatures.
| State | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,000 | District Court, per Ala. Code § 12-12-30 |
| Alaska | $10,000 | Per AS § 22.15.040 |
| Arizona | $3,500 | Justice Court, per A.R.S. § 12-121 |
| Arkansas | $5,000 | Per Ark. Code § 16-17-604 |
| California | $12,500 | Per CCP § 116.220; $6,500 for entities |
| Colorado | $7,500 | Per C.R.S. § 13-6-403 |
| Connecticut | $5,000 | Per Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-15 |
| Delaware | $15,000 | Justice of the Peace Court |
| Florida | $8,000 | Per Fla. Stat. § 34.01; excludes attorney fees, interest, costs |
| Georgia | $15,000 | Magistrate Court |
| Hawaii | $5,000 | District Court |
| Idaho | $5,000 | Magistrate Division |
| Illinois | $10,000 | Per 735 ILCS 5/2-1301 |
| Indiana | $10,000 | Per IC § 33-29-2-1; $8,000 in some counties |
| Iowa | $6,500 | Per Iowa Code § 631.1 |
| Kansas | $4,000 | Per K.S.A. § 61-2802 |
| Kentucky | $2,500 | Lowest in the country |
| Louisiana | $5,000 | Parish or city courts, varies |
| Maine | $6,000 | Per 14 M.R.S. § 7482 |
| Maryland | $5,000 | District Court |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 | Per G.L. c. 218, § 21 |
| Michigan | $7,000 | Per MCL 600.8401 |
| Minnesota | $15,000 | Conciliation Court |
| Mississippi | $3,500 | Justice Court |
| Missouri | $5,000 | Associate Circuit Court |
| Montana | $7,000 | Justice Court |
| Nebraska | $3,900 | Per Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2803 |
| Nevada | $10,000 | Justice Court |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 | Per RSA 503:1 |
| New Jersey | $5,000 | Per N.J.S.A. 22A:2-37; $3,000 in some counties |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | Magistrate Court |
| New York | $10,000 | Per CCA § 1801; NYC $10,000, towns $3,000 to $5,000 |
| North Carolina | $10,000 | Per N.C.G.S. § 7A-210 |
| North Dakota | $15,000 | Per N.D.C.C. § 27-08.1-01 |
| Ohio | $6,000 | Municipal or County Court |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | Per 12 O.S. § 1751 |
| Oregon | $10,000 | Circuit Court Small Claims Division |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | Magisterial District Court |
| Rhode Island | $5,000 | District Court |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | Magistrate's Court |
| South Dakota | $12,000 | Per SDCL § 15-39-45 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | Highest in the country; General Sessions |
| Texas | $20,000 | Per Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031; Justice Court |
| Utah | $15,000 | Per Utah Code § 78A-8-102 |
| Vermont | $10,000 | Per 12 V.S.A. § 5531 |
| Virginia | $5,000 | General District Court |
| Washington | $10,000 | District Court Small Claims |
| West Virginia | $10,000 | Magistrate Court |
| Wisconsin | $10,000 | Per Wis. Stat. § 799.01 |
| Wyoming | $6,000 | Circuit Court |
Source · State court websites and statute compilations, 2026
What the limit actually covers
The cap applies to the principal amount of the claim. Most states exclude attorney's fees, costs, interest, and statutory penalties from the jurisdictional calculation. This matters because a $9,000 contract dispute with $2,000 in treble damages may still fit within a $10,000 small claims cap if the state calculates only the principal.
Three states with tenant-favorable calculation rules:
- California excludes interest and costs, which can matter for older disputes
- Texas excludes attorney's fees from the $20,000 cap
- Florida excludes both fees and interest from the $8,000 cap
Check the specific statute for your state before dismissing a case as too large for small claims.
Limits for business entities
Several states have lower limits for corporate or LLC plaintiffs than for individuals. This reflects the small claims court's original purpose of providing access to ordinary people.
- California: $6,500 for entities versus $12,500 for individuals
- Some New Jersey counties: $3,000 for entities
- Oregon: $750 limit for entities that qualify as "debt collectors"
If you're filing on behalf of a business, read the statute carefully. An LLC or corporation filing outside the entity limit gets kicked to regular civil court.
Recent changes to watch
Several states have raised their limits in the last five years to keep pace with inflation:
- California raised from $10,000 to $12,500 in 2024
- Texas raised from $10,000 to $20,000 in 2020
- Tennessee raised to $25,000 in 2015
- Georgia raised to $15,000 in 2019
Other states have moved more slowly. Kentucky's $2,500 cap is the lowest in the country and has not been updated in many years. Plaintiffs in Kentucky with claims over $2,500 must file in regular district court, which is more formal and more expensive.
What happens if you file above the limit
Three possible outcomes depending on state:
- Transfer to regular civil court. Some states automatically transfer over-limit cases to the next-higher court. You may owe additional filing fees.
- Dismissal without prejudice. You can refile in the correct court, but you've wasted filing fees.
- Mandatory waiver of the excess. Several states allow plaintiffs to waive the amount over the cap and proceed in small claims. You lose the excess but keep the procedural advantages.
Option 3 is worth considering if your claim is just slightly over the cap. Losing a few hundred dollars to stay in small claims can be cheaper than paying civil court fees and handling civil procedure.
The strategic decision
The jurisdictional limit is the first of several strategic decisions in a small claims case. Adjacent questions:
- What's the filing fee in your state?
- How do you serve the defendant?
- Is a demand letter the right first step before filing?
Each question has a state-specific answer. The resources on this site answer them by state. For California's deposit disputes, the procedural walkthrough covers filing, service, and hearing prep. Texas, Florida, and Arizona have similar state-specific walkthroughs.
A final note on confirming the current limit
State legislatures update limits periodically. Before relying on any figure above, check:
- Your state's court website
- Your state's statute compilation (free online in every state)
- Your county court clerk's office (they're unusually responsive to this question)
A number that was correct last year may be outdated this year. Legislative change cycles vary but most limits get a fresh look every 3 to 7 years. Confirming the current figure before filing is 15 minutes that prevents a procedural dismissal.
