Short answer. In Kentucky, small claims court covers claims up to $2,500. Where to file: The county where the person you're suing lives or does business; for a corporation, where it has an office or place of business or where its officer or process agent resides. The fee to start a case is $38.
Can I file my claim in Kentucky small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Kentucky limit of $2,500.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
Kentucky small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $2,500. Money or personal property valued at $2,500 or less, not counting interest and court costs. No more than 25 claims per calendar year for an individual, or per business location.
- Court
- Small Claims Division of the District Court
- Who can file
- Individuals and businesses. Collection agencies, lenders charging interest, people with assigned claims and class actions can't file.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- The county where the person you're suing lives or does business; for a corporation, where it has an office or place of business or where its officer or process agent resides.
- Serving the other side
- Certified mail with return receipt (paid in advance) or personal service by the sheriff. The plaintiff must check that service was completed.
- Appeal
- Notice of appeal within 10 days of the date the judgment was stamped 'Entered' (KRS 24A.340), to circuit court, which reviews the record without new evidence.
Kentucky filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| small claims filing fee (CR 3.03(1)(a)) | $38 | Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2026-15, effective July 1, 2026 |
Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2026-15 (entered May 14, 2026, effective July 1, 2026) amends CR 3.03(1)(a): "(Small Claims Court), the fees shall be $38.00". KRS 24A.270 makes the small claims fee the same as the district court fee for claims of $500 or less. Service and other costs may be extra; ask the circuit court clerk.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Filing a small claim in Kentucky, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Kentucky limit is $2,500, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtThe county where the person you're suing lives or does business; for a corporation, where it has an office or place of business or where its officer or process agent resides.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in Kentucky is $38, depending on the claim. Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2026-15 (entered May 14, 2026, effective July 1, 2026) amends CR 3.03(1)(a): "(Small Claims Court), the fees shall be $38.00". KRS 24A.270 makes the small claims fee the same as the district court fee for claims of $500 or less. Service and other costs may be extra; ask the circuit court clerk. Online filing: see the official link below.
- Have the other side servedCertified mail with return receipt (paid in advance) or personal service by the sheriff. The plaintiff must check that service was completed.
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionNotice of appeal within 10 days of the date the judgment was stamped 'Entered' (KRS 24A.340), to circuit court, which reviews the record without new evidence.
Official Kentucky links
- Kentucky small claims self-help page
- Kentucky online filing
- Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2026-15: Amendments to CR 3.02 and 3.03 (filing fees)
- FindLaw Codes (secondary source): KRS 24A.270 Fees for small claims (statute text)
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Kentucky pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Kentucky small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Kentucky?
$2,500. Money or personal property valued at $2,500 or less, not counting interest and court costs. No more than 25 claims per calendar year for an individual, or per business location.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Kentucky?
small claims filing fee (CR 3.03(1)(a)): $38 (Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2026-15, effective July 1, 2026). Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2026-15 (entered May 14, 2026, effective July 1, 2026) amends CR 3.03(1)(a): "(Small Claims Court), the fees shall be $38.00". KRS 24A.270 makes the small claims fee the same as the district court fee for claims of $500 or less. Service and other costs may be extra; ask the circuit court clerk.
Can a lawyer represent me in Kentucky small claims?
Allowed in Kentucky, per the official page. Individuals and businesses. Collection agencies, lenders charging interest, people with assigned claims and class actions can't file.
Where do I file a small claim in Kentucky?
The county where the person you're suing lives or does business; for a corporation, where it has an office or place of business or where its officer or process agent resides.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Kentucky?
Notice of appeal within 10 days of the date the judgment was stamped 'Entered' (KRS 24A.340), to circuit court, which reviews the record without new evidence.
How is the other side served in a Kentucky small claims case?
Certified mail with return receipt (paid in advance) or personal service by the sheriff. The plaintiff must check that service was completed.
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