New Hampshire Small Claims Court Kit: the $10,000 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 New Hampshire that may fit under $10,000, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. A person or authorized attorney (RSA 503:3). Anyone filing for another individual or entity must file the Rule 1.3(D) statement and an authorization (power of attorney or board resolution); organizations may be represented by an officer, employee, partner, owner or trustee with written authorization (RSA 503:11).

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire small claims data file, checked November 2026 against NH Judicial Branch: A Quick Guide to Small Claims Cases; NH Circuit Court District Division Rules: Small Claims Actions; NH Judicial Branch: Civil Cases (District Division); RSA Chapter 503 Small Claims Actions; NH Judicial Branch: Small Claims (District Division).
• All 9 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire facts at a glance and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $10,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• New Hampshire filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: RSA 503:3-a: in the town where the defendant or plaintiff resides; for nonresident defendants, where the defendant does business, made a contract, committed a tort, or holds property in the state (RSA 503:3-b). Small claims must be filed electronically (Circuit Court District Division Rule 4.1); the court's e-filing system is used. Fees: mediation surcharge added to entry fee, claims $5,000 or less (RSA 503:4, II): $5 (Surcharge only;); mediation surcharge added to entry fee, claims over $5,000 (RSA 503:4, II): $60 (Surcharge only;). Base entry fee not stated on the official pages reviewed; check the NH Judicial Branch fee information. Fee waived only for extraordinary circumstances (Rule 4.1). Online filing: https://www.courts.nh.gov/our-courts/circuit-court/district-division/small-claims
• Service, the hearing and after in New Hampshire. Service: The court mails notice of the claim to the defendant by first-class mail; if undeliverable, the plaintiff completes service as in other civil actions at plaintiff's expense (RSA 503:6; Rule 4.2). Lawyers are allowed. Appeal: Appeal on questions of law to the NH Supreme Court within 30 days (RSA 503:9-10; Rule 4.9); findings of fact are final.
• 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.
• New Hampshire small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $10,000, a costs sheet with the New Hampshire fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.