Short answer. In New York, small claims court covers claims up to $10,000. Where to file: Defendant must live, work, have a place of business, or own rented property in NY. The fee to start a case is $10 to $25, depending on the claim.
Can I file my claim in New York small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the New York limit of $10,000.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
New York small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $10,000. Limit depends on the court: New York City Civil Court Small Claims/Commercial Claims Part maximum is $10,000; City Courts outside NYC up to $5,000; Town and Village Courts up to $3,000 (NY Courts guide updated August 2024). Nassau and Suffolk District Court limits were not confirmed here. $10,000 is the NYC figure.
- Also
- City Courts outside NYC: $5,000
- Also
- Town and Village Justice Courts: $3,000
- Also
- commercial small claims (City Courts outside NYC): $5,000
- Also
- commercial claims (NYC Civil Court): $10,000
- Court
- Small Claims Part (NYC Civil Court; City Courts; District Courts; Town and Village Justice Courts)
- Who can file
- Anyone 18 or older (minors through parent/guardian). Corporations, LLCs, associations and assignees cannot start a regular small claims case (municipal/public benefit corporations can); they use commercial small claims (corporation, partnership, LLC, association; principal office in NY; max 5 commercial claims per calendar month). Consumer-transaction commercial claims require a demand letter 10-180 days before filing.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- Defendant must live, work, have a place of business, or own rented property in NY. Town/Village Court where defendant is located, or any City Court in that county; NYC: county where defendant resides/works/has business. Commercial claims: defendant must live, work or do business in the same county as the court.
- Serving the other side
- Clerk mails notice by first-class and certified mail; deemed served if regular mail not returned within 21 days (30 days for consumer transactions/commercial claims).
- Appeal
- Notice of appeal within 30 days of judgment (35 if mailed); City/Town/Village appeals go to County Court (Appellate Term in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester). Cases decided by arbitration or mediation, and default judgments, cannot be appealed.
- Online filing
- No online filing for small claims; file at the clerk's office. The NYC Small Claims Court page says: "The court system does not provide electronic filing for Small Claims matters at this time." A case is started at the Small Claims Court Clerk's office in the proper county (or by mail when suing a New York City party from outside the city).
New York filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NYC small claims under $1,000 | $15 | |
| NYC small claims $1,000.01-$10,000 | $20 | |
| City Court small claims up to $1,000 | $15 | Outside NYC |
| City Court small claims $1,000-$5,000 | $20 | Outside NYC |
| Town/Village Court small claims up to $1,000 | $10 | |
| Town/Village Court small claims $1,000-$3,000 | $15 | |
| commercial claim | $25 | Plus postage |
NYC fees from NYC Civil Court instructions (CIV-SC-66, rev. Jan 2020) and NYC Civil Court fee page (NYCCCA 1803); City/Town/Village fees from NY Courts guide updated August 2024.
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 New York, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the New York limit is $10,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtDefendant must live, work, have a place of business, or own rented property in NY. Town/Village Court where defendant is located, or any City Court in that county; NYC: county where defendant resides/works/has business. Commercial claims: defendant must live, work or do business in the same county as the court.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeThe filing fee in New York is $10 to $25, depending on the claim. NYC fees from NYC Civil Court instructions (CIV-SC-66, rev. Jan 2020) and NYC Civil Court fee page (NYCCCA 1803); City/Town/Village fees from NY Courts guide updated August 2024. No online filing for small claims; file at the clerk's office.
- Have the other side servedClerk mails notice by first-class and certified mail; deemed served if regular mail not returned within 21 days (30 days for consumer transactions/commercial claims).
- 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 30 days of judgment (35 if mailed); City/Town/Village appeals go to County Court (Appellate Term in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester). Cases decided by arbitration or mediation, and default judgments, cannot be appealed.
Official New York links
- New York small claims self-help page
- NYC Civil Court: Instructions for Filing (Small Claims/Commercial Claims)
- NYC Civil Court: Fees
- NY Courts: NYC Small Claims Court, Starting a Case
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official New York 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.
New York small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in New York?
$10,000. Limit depends on the court: New York City Civil Court Small Claims/Commercial Claims Part maximum is $10,000; City Courts outside NYC up to $5,000; Town and Village Courts up to $3,000 (NY Courts guide updated August 2024). Nassau and Suffolk District Court limits were not confirmed here. $10,000 is the NYC figure.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in New York?
NYC small claims under $1,000: $15; NYC small claims $1,000.01-$10,000: $20; City Court small claims up to $1,000: $15 (Outside NYC); City Court small claims $1,000-$5,000: $20 (Outside NYC); Town/Village Court small claims up to $1,000: $10; Town/Village Court small claims $1,000-$3,000: $15; commercial claim: $25 (Plus postage). NYC fees from NYC Civil Court instructions (CIV-SC-66, rev. Jan 2020) and NYC Civil Court fee page (NYCCCA 1803); City/Town/Village fees from NY Courts guide updated August 2024.
Can a lawyer represent me in New York small claims?
Allowed in New York, per the official page. Anyone 18 or older (minors through parent/guardian). Corporations, LLCs, associations and assignees cannot start a regular small claims case (municipal/public benefit corporations can); they use commercial small claims (corporation, partnership, LLC, association; principal office in NY; max 5 commercial claims per calendar month). Consumer-transaction commercial claims require a demand letter 10-180 days before filing.
Where do I file a small claim in New York?
Defendant must live, work, have a place of business, or own rented property in NY. Town/Village Court where defendant is located, or any City Court in that county; NYC: county where defendant resides/works/has business. Commercial claims: defendant must live, work or do business in the same county as the court.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in New York?
Notice of appeal within 30 days of judgment (35 if mailed); City/Town/Village appeals go to County Court (Appellate Term in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester). Cases decided by arbitration or mediation, and default judgments, cannot be appealed.
How is the other side served in a New York small claims case?
Clerk mails notice by first-class and certified mail; deemed served if regular mail not returned within 21 days (30 days for consumer transactions/commercial claims).
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