- Claim limit
- $10,000
- Court
- New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part
- File online
- No — in person/mail
- Appeal window
- 30 days
Common questions
Who can I sue in small claims court in New York?
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 New York?
In New York City, up to $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Outside New York City, your local court sets the limit — often lower. Over the limit, you can waive the excess and still use small claims.
Do I need a lawyer to sue in New York small claims?
No — small claims is designed for self-representation.
What are the steps to sue someone in New York?
Send a demand, file your county's claim form in New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part, pay the fee, and serve the defendant. We prepare the demand and the filing from the same facts.
Serving the defendant
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.
- Clerk mails the notice of claim by ordinary first-class mail (CCA §1803)
- Clerk mails the notice of claim by certified mail, return receipt requested (CCA §1803)
If the post office cannot deliver the mailed notice (for example, the defendant moved without leaving a forwarding address), the clerk sets a new hearing date and the claimant must supply a correct address before the case can proceed.
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 New York judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court 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.