How to file small claims in Washington

Sue for up to $10,000 in the District Court (small-claims department); filing fee around $50.

Washington District Courts hear individual small claims up to $10,000 with no lawyers; either side can appeal a claim over $250 to Superior Court.

• Dollar limit: $10,000 — $10,000 for an individual ($5,000 for a business or other entity) in District Court small claims.
• Filing fee: $50 — Roughly $35–$50 to file, varying by county, plus any service cost.
• Where to file: District Court (small-claims department)
• 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 District Court clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the District 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. Washington bars attorneys from small claims unless the judge consents; either party may appeal a claim over $250 to Superior Court.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Washington: 6 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Washington: 6 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Washington: 3 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Washington: 6 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Washington: 3 years to file

Source: Wash. Rev. Code § 12.40.010. Reviewed 2026-06-17.

Nearby states: Oregon ($10,000) · Idaho ($5,000).

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