How to file small claims in Minnesota

Sue for up to $15,000 in the Conciliation Court (District Court); filing fee around $75.

Minnesota's Conciliation Court hears claims up to $15,000 ($4,000 for consumer credit); either side can move it to District Court for a new trial.

• Dollar limit: $15,000 — $15,000 ($4,000 for consumer-credit claims) in Conciliation Court.
• Filing fee: $75 — About $65–$80 plus service.
• Where to file: Conciliation Court (District 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 Conciliation Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Conciliation 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.
8. Minnesota calls small claims 'Conciliation Court'; either side may remove the case to District Court for a new trial.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Minnesota: 6 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Minnesota: 6 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Minnesota: 6 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Minnesota: 6 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Minnesota: 6 years to file

Source: Minn. Stat. § 491A.01. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Wisconsin ($10,000) · Iowa ($6,500) · South Dakota ($12,000) · North Dakota ($15,000).

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