Question 1 of 8. Your answers become the claim the court reads.
- Claim limit
- $10,000
- Filing fee
- $15–$20
- File online
- No — in person or by mail
- First court date
- Trial
Filing in Bronx County, step by step
Every step below happens at New York City Civil Court, Bronx County - Small Claims Part or through the system it uses.
- 1. Check the amount is within the limit. Bronx County small claims handles claims up to $10,000 (exclusive of interest and costs). Above that, the case belongs in a different division and the clerk will refuse it.
- 2. Name the defendant exactly. A judgment against a misspelled name or a trade name that is not the legal entity is difficult to collect. For a business, use the registered legal name.
- 3. Fill out the claim form. Bronx County uses Statement of Claim (Small Claims) - CIV-SC-50, Instructions for Filing a Small Claims/Commercial Claims Action, Notice of Appeal (Small Claims). The blank forms are free. What you write in the statement of what happened is what gets the case accepted or sent back.
- 4. File it and pay. Bronx County accepts filings in person at the small claims clerk's office, room 105, 851 grand concourse, bronx; by mail - send the completed and signed statement of claim (civ-sc-50), the filing fee, and a self-addressed 6"x9" envelope with postage to the court. The fee is $15–$20.
- 5. Serve the defendant. Filing does not notify the defendant — service does, and the case cannot proceed without it. The court clerk. After the claim is filed the clerk mails the notice of claim to the defendant; the person suing (the claimant) does not arrange or pay for personal service of a summons.
Where to file in Bronx County
New York City Civil Court, Bronx County - Small Claims Part
851 Grand Concourse, Room 105, Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2517
Small Claims Clerk's Office (Room 105): 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri; 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thu. Evening Small Claims courtroom: 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Tue and Thu. Small Claims cashier closes at 7:30 p.m. on Thu.
- In person at the Small Claims Clerk's Office, Room 105, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx
- By mail - send the completed and signed Statement of Claim (CIV-SC-50), the filing fee, and a self-addressed 6"x9" envelope with postage to the court
What happens after you file
Bronx County sets your court date when you file, so you leave the counter knowing it. The first appearance is trial. If the defendant loses, they have 30 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
Why not just do it yourself?
The forms are free. Why pay anything?
The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.
What happens if I get it wrong?
You refile and pay $15–$20 again. That is the actual cost of guessing.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. Small claims is designed for people representing themselves, and most attorneys will not take a case this size.
Common questions
Where do I file a small claims case in Bronx County?
New York City Civil Court, Bronx County - Small Claims Part, 851 Grand Concourse, Room 105, Bronx, NY 10451. Open Small Claims Clerk's Office (Room 105): 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri; 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thu. Evening Small Claims courtroom: 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Tue and Thu. Small Claims cashier closes at 7:30 p.m. on Thu..
Can I file small claims online in Bronx County?
No. Bronx County takes small claims filings in person or by mail.
How long does a small claims case take in Bronx County?
It depends on the court's calendar and on how quickly the defendant is served. Your first date is set at filing.
How much can I sue for in Bronx County?
Up to $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
The Bronx County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Every form Bronx County requires, filled in with your claim
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with New York City Civil Court, Bronx County - Small Claims Part's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your first court date
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-23 · Sourced from nycourts.gov (NYC Civil Court fees, NYC Small Claims Court pages, Bronx County Civil Court Directory, NYC Small Claims Forms, CourtHelp) and nysenate.gov (NYC Civil Court Act, Article 18) and N.Y.C. Civil Court Act, Article 18 — Small Claims (§§ 1801-1814): §1801 (defines a small claim; $10,000 ceiling, exclusive of interest and costs), §1803 (commencement; $15 fee for claims of $1,000 or less and $20 for claims over $1,000; clerk serves notice of claim by ordinary first-class and certified mail), §1804 (informal, simplified procedure — court does substantial justice and is not bound by rules of practice, procedure, pleading or evidence), §1807 (review — either party may appeal only on the ground that substantial justice was not done). See how we verify.