Demand Letter in New Jersey

A demand letter asks someone to pay or fix a problem before you go to small claims court. Many judges expect one, and it is useful evidence. Your state's small claims limit and fee are shown below.

What New Jersey law says

Small claims limit	$5,000 for money claims, including a tenant's suit to recover a security deposit of $5,000 or less. Excluded: professional malpractice, child support or alimony, wills and inheritance, and claims for anything other than money. Larger claims up to $20,000 go to the Special Civil Part's regular docket. Rule text: https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/rules-of-court (R. 6:1-2). Source: N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a); NJ Courts, Small Claims Court
Filing fee	$35 for one defendant and $5 for each additional defendant. Service by certified and regular mail is $10 per defendant; personal service by a court officer is $10 plus $12 for each additional defendant. Fees may be waived for people with income at or below 150% of the poverty level and liquid assets of $2,500 or less. Court fee schedule CN 11112 (revised 08/2026) confirms $35/$5 filing fees and $10 per defendant for mail service: https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/11112_courtfees.pdf. Older brochures list a $7 mail fee. Source: NJ Courts, Small Claims Court

Small claims limit

$5,000 for money claims, including a tenant's suit to recover a security deposit of $5,000 or less. Excluded: professional malpractice, child support or alimony, wills and inheritance, and claims for anything other than money. Larger claims up to $20,000 go to the Special Civil Part's regular docket.

Rule text: https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/rules-of-court (R. 6:1-2).

Source: N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a); NJ Courts, Small Claims Court

Filing fee

$35 for one defendant and $5 for each additional defendant. Service by certified and regular mail is $10 per defendant; personal service by a court officer is $10 plus $12 for each additional defendant. Fees may be waived for people with income at or below 150% of the poverty level and liquid assets of $2,500 or less.

Court fee schedule CN 11112 (revised 08/2026) confirms $35/$5 filing fees and $10 per defendant for mail service: https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/11112_courtfees.pdf. Older brochures list a $7 mail fee.

Source: NJ Courts, Small Claims Court

Fill it in

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[today's date]

To: [person or business name], [their address]

From: [your name], [your address]

This letter is a formal demand for $[amount demanded] for [what happened, with dates].

[Short list of facts and attached documents: contract, receipts, photos, messages.]

Please pay this amount by [payment deadline] by [payment method].

If I do not receive payment by then, I intend to file a claim in [court name] without further notice.

[your name] [phone or email]

Demand Letter for other states · New Jersey tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.