- Claim limit
- $5,000
- Court
- Justice Court
- File online
- Yes (statewide)
- Appeal window
- 0 days
Common questions
Step 1 — Which court do I file in?
Arizona small claims cases go to Justice Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute arose. Pick your county below.
Step 2 — What form do I file?
Your county's claim form (Statement of Claim, Complaint, or Petition). We complete it with your claim in the language the court expects.
Step 3 — What does it cost?
A filing fee set by your county, plus a small service fee. Your county page shows the current amounts.
Step 4 — How is the defendant served?
The plaintiff arranges and pays for service after filing; the court does not serve the defendant.
Step 5 — What happens at the hearing?
Arizona uses a Hearing. Bring your documents and be ready to explain what happened. We give you a checklist of what to bring.
Serving the defendant
The plaintiff arranges and pays for service after filing; the court does not serve the defendant.
- Registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested
- Personal service by a licensed/registered private process server
- Any other method of service permitted by the Arizona Rules of Small Claims Procedure
Certified mail without a restricted-delivery return receipt signed for the defendant may not be valid service and will stall or end the case.
Pick your county to start
Small claims is filed at the county level. Pick your county for its court, fee, and forms — or start your claim and we'll ask where you'd sue.
Start my claimYour small claims filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your court's own forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with your court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from Arizona judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court and A.R.S. Title 22, Ch. 5, Art. 2 — Small Claims (§§ 22-501 to 22-524); §22-503 sets the $5,000 limit exclusive of interest and costs. See how we verify.