Essex County, NJ
Essex County small claims court: where and how to file
Small claims in Essex County is handled by the Special Civil Part. Here's the office, the limit, the fees and how the other side gets served.
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Essex County Special Civil Part office
| Office | Essex County Hall of Records, Civil Customer Service |
|---|---|
| Address | 465 Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Boulevard, Room 201, Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Phone | 973-776-9300 ext. 56800 |
| Source | NJ Courts Special Civil Part clerk list (2022-05-23 (form revision)) |
The office list comes from a Judiciary form; rooms and extensions change. Call before you go.
New Jersey small claims at a glance
- Limit: $5,000, including security deposit cases. $5,000 to $20,000 goes to the regular Special Civil Part.
- Filing fee: $35 for one defendant, $5 each additional, plus $7 per defendant for mail service.
- Who can file: A person 18 or older; a parent or guardian files for a minor.
- Where: the county where at least one defendant lives; if none is in New Jersey, where the claim arose.
- How: online through the Judiciary's JEDS system, by mail, or in person at the office above.
- Not for: professional malpractice, support or alimony, or probate matters.
- Appeal: to the Appellate Division within 45 days.
How we help in Essex County
- Process serving in Essex County when mail service fails or you want it done in person.
- Court filing runs: we carry your papers to the courthouse and bring back the filed copies.
- Small claims filing help and the New Jersey small claims court kit.
We aren't lawyers and can't tell you whether to sue or how to argue your case.
Get filing help Serve papers in Essex County
Rules and fees from the NJ Courts Small Claims FAQ and filing page, checked 2026-11. Other counties: all 21 NJ small claims offices.
Questions
Where do I file a small claims case in Essex County?
At the Special Civil Part office: Essex County Hall of Records, Civil Customer Service, 465 Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Boulevard, Room 201, Newark, NJ 07102, 973-776-9300 ext. 56800. File in the county where at least one defendant lives; if no defendant is in New Jersey, where the claim arose. You can also file online through the Judiciary's JEDS system or by mail.
How much can I sue for in New Jersey small claims?
Up to $5,000, including a landlord's failure to return a security deposit. Claims from $5,000 to $20,000 go to the regular Special Civil Part. Winning more than the limit in small claims waives the excess.
What does it cost to file?
$35 for one defendant, $5 for each additional defendant, and $7 per defendant for service by certified and regular mail. Personal service by a court officer has its own fee.
How is the defendant served?
By certified and regular mail from the court, or personally by a Special Civil Part Officer. If mail service fails, you'll need personal service before the case can go forward.
Can I appeal a small claims decision?
Yes, to the Appellate Division within 45 days of the final decision. It costs a $250 filing fee and a $300 deposit, and you need the transcript.
General information, not legal advice. We aren't lawyers.