How to file small claims in District of Columbia

Sue for up to $10,000 in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch (DC Superior Court); filing fee around $45.

Washington, D.C.'s Small Claims and Conciliation Branch hears claims up to $10,000, with a conciliation (settlement) step built in.

• Dollar limit: $10,000
• Filing fee: $45 — About $45 to file plus service.
• Where to file: Small Claims and Conciliation Branch (DC Superior Court)
• Lawyers at the hearing: allowed

1. Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
2. Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
3. Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
5. Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
6. Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
7. Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in District of Columbia: 3 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in District of Columbia: 3 years to file
• Suing for property damage in District of Columbia: 3 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in District of Columbia: 3 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in District of Columbia: 3 years to file

Source: D.C. Code § 11-1321. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Maryland ($5,000) · Virginia ($5,000).

General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.

Updated July 2026