New York
Small claims court in New York
New York's small-claims procedure varies by court level: $10,000 in NYC Civil Court (Small Claims Part), $5,000 in city courts outside NYC, and $3,000 in town and village justice courts. Corporations can be defendants but generally cannot be plaintiffs in small claims part — they must use commercial claims part.
Max claim (individual)
$10,000
Filing fee
$15.00 – $20.00
Filing → judgment: 6-10 weeks
Court
Small Claims Part of City, Town, or Village Court
In person only
The rules at a glance
- Lawyers allowed?
- Yes
- Corporations allowed?
- No
- Right of appeal?
- Yes — 30 days
- Appeal goes to
- Appellate Term (Supreme Court) or County Court
Official resources
Frequently asked
- How much can I sue for in New York small claims?
- $10,000 in New York City. Outside NYC, $5,000 in city courts and $3,000 in town/village courts. Corporations must use the separate Commercial Claims Part to file claims.
Other states
Alaska
$10,000
Alabama
$6,000
Arkansas
$5,000
Arizona
$3,500
California
$12,500
Colorado
$7,500
Connecticut
$5,000
District of Columbia
$10,000
Delaware
$25,000
Florida
$8,000
Georgia
$15,000
Hawaii
$5,000
Iowa
$6,500
Idaho
$5,000
Illinois
$10,000
Indiana
$10,000
Kansas
$4,000
Kentucky
$2,500
Louisiana
$5,000
Massachusetts
$7,000
Maryland
$5,000
Maine
$6,000
Michigan
$7,000
Minnesota
$15,000
Missouri
$5,000
Mississippi
$3,500
Montana
$8,000
North Carolina
$10,000
North Dakota
$15,000
Nebraska
$3,800
New Hampshire
$10,000
New Jersey
$5,000
New Mexico
$10,000
Nevada
$10,000
Ohio
$6,000
Oklahoma
$10,000
Oregon
$10,000
Pennsylvania
$12,000
Rhode Island
$5,000
South Carolina
$7,500
South Dakota
$12,000
Tennessee
$25,000
Texas
$20,000
Utah
$15,000
Virginia
$5,000
Vermont
$10,000
Washington
$10,000
Wisconsin
$10,000
West Virginia
$10,000
Wyoming
$6,000
Not legal advice. Procedures vary by court and change
periodically. Always confirm details with the clerk's office or the
official court website (linked above) before filing.