How to file small claims in Utah

Sue for up to $15,000 in the Small Claims (Justice or District Court); filing fee around $100.

Utah's small-claims division hears claims up to $15,000, with tiered fees and an appeal to the District Court.

• Dollar limit: $15,000 — $15,000 in the small-claims division of Justice or District Court.
• Filing fee: $100 — Tiered: about $60 (≤$2,000), $100 ($2,000–$7,500), $185 ($7,500–$15,000), plus service.
• Where to file: Small Claims (Justice or 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 Small Claims session clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Small Claims session 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 Utah: 6 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Utah: 6 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Utah: 3 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Utah: 6 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Utah: 4 years to file

Source: Utah Code § 78A-8-102. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Idaho ($5,000) · Wyoming ($6,000) · Colorado ($7,500) · New Mexico ($10,000) · Arizona ($3,500) · Nevada ($10,000).

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