Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $5,000
- Filing fee
- $58
- Court
- Justice Court
- File online
- No
Maricopa County filing fees
Source: justicecourts.maricopa.gov (Maricopa County Justice Courts) and azleg.gov (A.R.S. Title 22, Small Claims)
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Under $5,000 | $58 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 602-372-6300 before you file.
Where to file
Maricopa County Justice Courts, Small Claims Division
620 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-372-6300
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)
- In person at the justice court precinct with proper venue
- By mail to that justice court precinct
- Small claims cases cannot be electronically filed in the Maricopa County Justice Courts; AZTurboCourt only prepares limited-jurisdiction forms to print and file on paper
Walk-in filing is available at 16 locations: Encanto (Downtown Justice Center), El Centro (Downtown Justice Center), West McDowell (Downtown Justice Center), Arcadia Biltmore, South Mountain, Dreamy Draw (Phoenix), Desert Ridge (Phoenix), Agua Fria (Avondale), Arrowhead (Surprise), Country Meadows (Avondale), Highland (Mesa), East Mesa, Kyrene (Chandler), San Marcos (Chandler), San Tan (Chandler), 26 precincts total — see justicecourts.maricopa.gov/about-us/court-locations.
The forms you need
Maricopa County requires 6 forms to open a small claims case:
- Small Claims Complaint
- Small Claims Summons and Notice
- Small Claims Answer
- Small Claims Agreement to Use of Attorneys
- Small Claims Proof of Service
- Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
We keep the current Maricopa County versions of both. The forms are not the hard part — filling them out is. The Statement of Claim has to describe what happened in the language the court expects, and that is where most first-time filers get sent home to try again.
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.
Why not just download the free form?
The forms are free. Why pay?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
Can't I just hire a lawyer?
Most attorneys will not take a $5,000 case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.
What if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
What happens next
Your hearing is scheduled after the defendant is served. If the defendant loses, they have 0 days to move for a new trial and 0 days to appeal.
The Maricopa County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Maricopa County forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- Filing checklist with this 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.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Maricopa County?
A flat $58 to file, regardless of the amount you are claiming.
What is the small claims limit in Maricopa County?
$5,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Where do I file a small claims case in Maricopa County?
Maricopa County Justice Courts, Small Claims Division, 620 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix. Also at El Centro (Downtown Justice Center), West McDowell (Downtown Justice Center), Arcadia Biltmore, South Mountain, Dreamy Draw (Phoenix), Desert Ridge (Phoenix), Agua Fria (Avondale), Arrowhead (Surprise), Country Meadows (Avondale), Highland (Mesa), East Mesa, Kyrene (Chandler), San Marcos (Chandler), San Tan (Chandler), 26 precincts total — see justicecourts.maricopa.gov/about-us/court-locations.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Maricopa County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves the defendant?
The plaintiff arranges and pays for service after filing; the court does not serve the defendant.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from justicecourts.maricopa.gov (Maricopa County Justice Courts) and azleg.gov (A.R.S. Title 22, Small Claims) 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.