Arizona Small Claims Court Kit: the $3,500 Limit, Filing Guide, Demand Letter, Evidence and Hearing Prep, and a Claim Calculator

Who it is for

People and small businesses with a money claim in Arizona that may fit under $3,500, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. "The plaintiff must be a real party to the original transaction that forms the basis of the lawsuit." The complaint is filed in the correct justice court precinct.

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside Arizona, over its small claims limit, or needs a lawyer (an injury, a dispute over land, a family case). Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Arizona small claims data file, checked November 2026 against Arizona Judicial Branch Legal Info Hub: About Small Claims; Arizona Judicial Branch: Justice Court Filing Fees; Arizona Judicial Branch: eFileAZ Limited Jurisdiction eFiling, New Case, Self-Represented Plaintiff, Small Claims; Arizona Judicial Branch Legal Info Hub: Small Claims, Plaintiff's Initial Steps.
• All 9 Arizona facts in the kit are confirmed on an official page.
• Official forms are linked, not copied, so you always file the court's current version.

What is inside

• Start here and is small claims right?. How to use the kit, the 9 confirmed Arizona facts at a glance and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $3,500, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• Arizona filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: The justice court precinct where the defendant resides (A.R.S. 22-202), with exceptions when the defendant lives out of state or the residence is unknown. Fees: small claims filing: $30 (base statewide fee effective December 28, 2024); small claims answer: $18. Base fees set under A.R.S. 22-281; the Supreme Court page says to check with the specific justice court for additional local fees. Online filing: https://efile.azcourts.gov
• Service, the hearing and after in Arizona. Service: Every defendant must be served with the summons, complaint and notice by certified or registered mail with "return receipt requested," by personal service by a constable, sheriff or process server, or, in some courts, by the clerk by certified restricted mail. Proof of service must be filed "within 45 days of the complaint filing date" or the case is dismissed. Lawyers can't represent a party at the hearing. Appeal: No appeal. The decision is final and binding on both parties; the only motions allowed are a change of venue and a motion to vacate a judgment.
• Demand letter and response tracker. A neutral demand letter to fill in (what happened, the amount, a reply-by date, how to pay), a log of every reply and offer, and a short checklist before sending.
• Evidence organizer and hearing prep. An exhibit list numbered for the judge, a timeline, witness notes, a three-minute opening outline and a hearing-day packing list.
• Arizona small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $3,500, a costs sheet with the Arizona fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.