Small Claims Limits by State (2026): Official Court Guide
Small-claims limits vary sharply by state — and sometimes by claimant type, court or county. This reference compares source-checked limits and links directly to the relevant official court authority.
Last checked: 1 October 2026
DIRECT ANSWER
What this guide tells you
There is no single US small-claims limit. California generally allows an individual to claim up to $12,500, Texas Justice Court small claims up to $20,000, and Florida small claims up to $8,000. Other states use different limits and exceptions, so the filing court and claimant type matter.
OFFICIAL-SOURCE REFERENCE
Small Claims Limits by State (2026): Official Court Guide
Use the official source beside each row before filing. Monetary jurisdiction, claimant type, venue and claim category can change which route applies.
| State | Court / forum | General monetary limit | Important qualification | Official source | GetInstantLaw guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Superior Court — Small Claims | $12,500 individual / $6,250 most business entities | An individual can generally bring only two claims per calendar year for more than $2,500. | California Courts Self-Help | Open guide |
| Texas | Justice Court — Small Claims | $20,000 | The current Justice Court rule excludes statutory interest and court costs from the cap, but includes attorney fees, if any. | Supreme Court of Texas rules | Open guide |
| Florida | County Court — Small Claims | $8,000 | The $8,000 amount does not include filing costs, interest or attorneys’ fees. Local procedure can vary by county. | Florida Courts | Open guide |
| New York | Small Claims Part / City, Town & Village Courts | Up to $10,000, depending on court | NYC is up to $10,000; City Courts and Nassau/western Suffolk routes can be up to $5,000; Town and Village Courts up to $3,000. | New York Courts | Open guide |
| Illinois | Circuit Court — Small Claims | $10,000 | Illinois standardized small-claims forms are for civil money claims of $10,000 or less. | Illinois Courts | Open guide |
| Pennsylvania | Magisterial District Court — Civil Action | $12,000 | The statutory cap is exclusive of interest and costs. Other civil routes can apply depending on claim type. | Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania | Open guide |
| Ohio | Small Claims Court | $6,000 | Ohio describes small claims as money-only claims up to $6,000. | Supreme Court of Ohio | Open guide |
| Georgia | Magistrate Court | $15,000 | Georgia Magistrate Courts hear civil claims involving $15,000 or less. | Georgia Courts | Open guide |
| North Carolina | Magistrate — Small Claims | $5,000–$10,000 depending on county | The small-claims monetary limit is county-specific, so check the court for the county where the case must be filed. | North Carolina Judicial Branch | Open guide |
| Michigan | District Court — Small Claims Division | $7,000 | Michigan’s current statutory small-claims limit is $7,000. | Michigan Courts | Open guide |
| New Jersey | Special Civil Part — Small Claims | $5,000 | Claims above $5,000 may belong in another section of Special Civil or the Law Division depending on amount. | New Jersey Courts | Open guide |
| Washington | District Court — Small Claims | $10,000 natural person / $5,000 other claimants | Washington distinguishes between a natural person and other claimants for the monetary cap. | Washington Courts | Open guide |
| Massachusetts | District / Boston Municipal / Housing Court — Small Claims | Generally $7,000 | Limited exceptions can allow an award above $7,000, including some auto property-damage and statutory-damages situations. | Massachusetts Court System | Open guide |
| Arizona | Justice Court — Small Claims Division | $5,000 | Interest and costs are excluded. Attorney representation generally requires both sides’ written agreement. | Arizona Judicial Branch | Open guide |
| Virginia | General District Court — Small Claims Division | $5,000 | The division can hear money claims up to $5,000 and claims for return of personal property valued up to $5,000. | Virginia Judicial System | Open guide |
| Indiana | Small Claims Court | $10,000 | Indiana’s 2026 Small Claims Manual identifies the current small-claims jurisdictional limit as $10,000. Representation rules for businesses changed effective January 1, 2025. | Indiana Judicial Branch | Open guide |
| Missouri | Small Claims Court | $5,000 | Missouri’s small-claims handbook states that a civil money claim must not exceed $5,000, excluding court costs and interest awarded by the judge. | Missouri Courts | Open guide |
| Maryland | District Court — Small Claims | $5,000 | A Maryland small claim must generally seek $5,000 or less, be for money only, and not seek discovery such as interrogatories. | Maryland Courts | Open guide |
| Wisconsin | Circuit Court — Small Claims | $10,000 money claims / $5,000 tort or personal injury | Wisconsin limits ordinary money small claims to $10,000, while tort and personal-injury small claims are limited to $5,000. Other categories such as eviction and replevin use separate rules. | Wisconsin Court System | Open guide |
| Minnesota | Conciliation Court | $20,000 / $4,000 consumer-credit transaction | Minnesota Conciliation Court generally accepts claims up to $20,000, but claims involving a consumer credit transaction use a $4,000 limit. | Minnesota Judicial Branch | Open guide |
| Colorado | County Court — Small Claims | $7,500 | Colorado small claims cover lawsuits seeking $7,500 or less. A claimant can reduce a larger claim to the small-claims limit but cannot split one larger dispute into multiple cases. | Colorado Judicial Branch | Open guide |
| Oregon | Circuit Court — Small Claims | $10,000 | Oregon small claims generally cover disputes involving $10,000 or less. Claims of $750 or less generally must use small claims, subject to limited statutory exceptions. | Oregon Judicial Department | Open guide |
| Oklahoma | District Court — Small Claims Procedure | $10,000 | Oklahoma’s Small Claims Procedure Act permits qualifying contract or tort money claims up to $10,000, exclusive of attorney fees and other court costs. | Oklahoma State Courts Network | Open guide |
| Kentucky | District Court — Small Claims Division | $2,500 | Kentucky Small Claims Division handles disputes involving money or personal property valued at $2,500 or less, excluding interest and court costs. | Kentucky Court of Justice | Open guide |
How we maintain this guide
- Each published row is checked against an official state court, judicial branch or court-rule source.
- The table records the general small-claims or equivalent lower-court monetary route; special claim types can use different rules.
- Rows are updated individually when an official source changes rather than copying figures from commercial comparison sites.
- This first edition covers the source-checked states shown above and will expand as additional official state sources are verified.
What this table does not replace
- A monetary limit does not decide whether the court has jurisdiction over your type of claim.
- Venue, service, filing fees, limitation periods and appeal rights are separate questions.
- Some states distinguish individuals from businesses, or use different limits by court or county.
- If the official court source conflicts with this table, follow the current official source.
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Get Instant Complete — Law + Proof + Resolve Legal information only — not legal advice. Court and agency rules can change; check the linked official source before relying on a filing limit or deadline.