How to file small claims in Indiana

Sue for up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Court (or Circuit/Superior small-claims docket); filing fee around $95.

Indiana small-claims dockets hear claims up to $10,000 ($8,000 in Marion County), with lawyers and counterclaims allowed.

• Dollar limit: $10,000 — $10,000 in most courts; $8,000 in Marion County small-claims townships.
• Filing fee: $95 — About $90–$100 plus service.
• Where to file: Small Claims Court (or Circuit/Superior small-claims docket)
• 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 Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Small Claims Court 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 Indiana: 10 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Indiana: 10 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Indiana: 2 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Indiana: 10 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Indiana: 6 years to file

Source: Ind. Code § 33-29-2-4. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Illinois ($10,000) · Michigan ($7,000) · Ohio ($6,000) · Kentucky ($2,500).

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