How to file small claims in Nebraska

Sue for up to $3,900 in the Small Claims Court (County Court); filing fee around $50.

Nebraska Small Claims Courts hear claims up to about $3,900 with no lawyers at the hearing; either side can appeal to District Court.

• Dollar limit: $3,900 — $3,900, adjusted for inflation periodically.
• Filing fee: $50 — About $30–$50 plus service.
• Where to file: Small Claims Court (County Court)
• Lawyers at the hearing: not allowed — you represent yourself

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.
8. Nebraska bars attorneys from the small-claims hearing; either side may appeal to District Court.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Nebraska: 5 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Nebraska: 5 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Nebraska: 4 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Nebraska: 5 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Nebraska: 4 years to file

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2802. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Kansas ($4,000) · Iowa ($6,500) · Missouri ($5,000) · Colorado ($7,500) · Wyoming ($6,000) · South Dakota ($12,000).

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