Question 1 of 8. Carries forward to the intake.
- Claim limit
- $10,000
- Filing fee
- $15–$20
- Court
- New York City Civil Court, Small Claims Part
- File online
- No
Queens County filing fees
Source: nycourts.gov (NYC Civil Court fees, NYC Small Claims Court pages, Queens County Civil Court Directory, NYC Small Claims Forms, Queens County Civil and Housing Court Virtual Help Center) and nysenate.gov (NYC Civil Court Act, Article 18)
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | $15 |
| $1,000.01 – $10,000 | $20 |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at 718-262-7122 before you file.
Where to file
New York City Civil Court, Queens County - Small Claims Part
89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 116, Jamaica, NY 11435
718-262-7122
Small Claims Clerk's Office (Room 116): 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-Thu. Small Claims cashier closes at 7:30 p.m. on Thu.
- In person at the Small Claims Clerk's Office, Room 116, 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica
- 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 forms you need
Queens County requires 3 forms to open a small claims case:
- Statement of Claim (Small Claims) - CIV-SC-50
- Instructions for Filing a Small Claims/Commercial Claims Action
- Notice of Appeal (Small Claims)
We keep the current Queens 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 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.
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 $10,000 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 trial date is set when you file, so you leave the counter knowing when to come back. If the defendant loses, they have 30 days to move for a new trial and 30 days to appeal.
The Queens County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Both Queens 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 trial
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 Queens County?
Between $15 and $20, depending on your claim amount. Under $1,000: $15. $1,000.01 – $10,000: $20.
What is the small claims limit in Queens County?
$10,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Where do I file a small claims case in Queens County?
New York City Civil Court, Queens County - Small Claims Part, 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 116, Jamaica.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Queens County?
No. Small claims is designed for people to represent themselves.
Who serves 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.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-23 · Sourced from nycourts.gov (NYC Civil Court fees, NYC Small Claims Court pages, Queens County Civil Court Directory, NYC Small Claims Forms, Queens County Civil and Housing Court Virtual Help Center) 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.