- Claim limit
- $5,000
- Court
- Justice Court
- File online
- Yes (statewide)
- Appeal window
- None — final
Common questions
Who can I sue in small claims court in Arizona?
An individual or a business, as long as your claim is within the limit. You must name and serve the correct legal person or entity.
How much can I sue for in Arizona?
Up to $5,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Over that, you can waive the excess and still use small claims.
Do I need a lawyer to sue in Arizona small claims?
No — small claims is designed for self-representation.
What are the steps to sue someone in Arizona?
Send a demand, file your county's claim form in Justice Court, pay the fee, and serve the defendant. We prepare the demand and the filing from the same facts.
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 the county where you'll sue
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.
Not sure this fits your situation? Ask us about it — we answer by email, and it costs nothing.
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.