How to file small claims in New York
Sue for up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Part (City, Town, or Village Court); filing fee around $20.
New York small claims run up to $10,000 in the city courts ($5,000 in town/village courts), with rock-bottom filing fees and clerk-handled mailed notice.
- Dollar limit: $10,000 — $10,000 in New York City and many city courts; $5,000 in town and village courts. Town/village limit is lower — check your court.
- Filing fee: $20 — Very low: about $15 for claims ≤$1,000 and $20 for $1,000–$5,000/$10,000.
- Where to file: Small Claims Part (City, Town, or Village Court)
- Lawyers at the hearing: allowed
- Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
- Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
- Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Small Claims Part clerk or the court's website.
- File the form with the Small Claims Part for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
- Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
- Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
- Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
- You can file in person or, in NYC, by mail; the clerk mails notice to the defendant for you, which keeps service simple and cheap.
What are you suing for?
Source: N.Y. Uniform City Court Act § 1801; UJCA § 1801. Reviewed 2026-06-17.
Nearby states: New Jersey ($5,000) · Pennsylvania ($12,000) · Connecticut ($5,000) · Massachusetts ($7,000).
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