Arizona Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File
How small claims court works in Arizona: the dollar limit, filing fees, serving the other side, the hearing, appeals and collecting your money — each answer linked to the court rule or statute.
Quick answers for Arizona
- Small claims limit
- $5,000, exclusive of interest and costs. A.R.S. § 22-503(A)
- Filing fee
- Statewide base fees: $30 to file a small claims complaint, $18 to file an answer, and $8 for service by mail. Local courts may add fees. A fee waiver or deferral can be requested. A.R.S. § 22-522; Arizona Justice Court Filing Fees (effective Dec. 28, 2024)
- Are lawyers allowed?
- Generally no. Attorneys may not appear or take part in a small claims case unless all parties agree in writing before the hearing; an attorney may represent himself or herself. Individuals represent themselves, and businesses appear through an owner, officer or authorized full-time employee. A.R.S. § 22-512
- Appeals
- No appeal. The decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace is final and binding on both parties. A motion to vacate the judgment is allowed for limited reasons. A.R.S. § 22-519; A.R.S. § 22-505(B)
Court: Justice Court (small claims division). Last verified: 2026-10-24.
How to file a small claims case in Arizona
- Confirm the claim is $5,000 or less and is not an eviction or other excluded type of case.
- Fill out the small claims complaint and summons from the Arizona Judicial Branch self-service forms page or your local justice court.
- File in the justice court precinct where the defendant lives and pay the filing fee, or ask for a fee waiver or deferral.
- Serve the defendant by certified or registered mail, or by process server, sheriff or constable, and file proof of service within 45 days.
- The defendant has 20 days after service to file an answer and any counterclaim; the hearing is then set within 60 days.
- Present your evidence to the justice of the peace or hearing officer; there are no lawyers unless both sides agree in writing, and no jury.
- The decision is final with no appeal; if you win and are not paid, ask for a debtor's examination and use writs of execution or garnishment.
Can you use small claims court?
| Small claims limit | $5,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Small claims cannot hear eviction (forcible or unlawful detainer) actions, libel or slander, specific performance, class actions, injunctions or suits against the state or its political subdivisions. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 22-503(A) |
|---|---|
| Who can file | An individual, marital community, corporation, partnership, association or other organization may sue or be sued. The plaintiff must be a real party to the original transaction; assignees (such as collection agencies) generally cannot sue in small claims. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Are lawyers allowed? | Generally no. Attorneys may not appear or take part in a small claims case unless all parties agree in writing before the hearing; an attorney may represent himself or herself. Individuals represent themselves, and businesses appear through an owner, officer or authorized full-time employee. A party who wants a lawyer can ask to transfer the case to the regular justice court civil division. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 22-512 |
Filing your case
| Where to file | In the justice court precinct where the defendant lives, or as otherwise allowed by the justice court venue statute (A.R.S. § 22-202). |
|---|---|
| Official forms | To start a small claims case in an Arizona justice court, file the Complaint (LJSC00001F) and Summons (LJSC00002F); the Self-Service Center also offers a Small Claims Checklist for Plaintiff (LJSC00002I) and a case instructions guide. Defendants use the Answer (LJSC00004F) and Counterclaim (LJSC00005F). Individual courts may have their own preferred forms. |
| Filing fee | Statewide base fees: $30 to file a small claims complaint, $18 to file an answer, and $8 for service by mail. Local courts may add fees. A fee waiver or deferral can be requested. |
| Filing online | E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in most justice courts; the state e-filing page does not say whether self-represented small claims filers can file online. Ask the justice court where you plan to file whether it accepts online small claims filings. |
| Serving the defendant | The plaintiff may serve the summons and complaint by registered or certified mail (service is complete on the delivery date on the return receipt, which is filed with the court). If mail service fails, personal service by a process server, sheriff or constable may be used. Proof of service must be filed within 45 days of filing the complaint or the case will be dismissed. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Before and at the hearing
| When the hearing happens | After the answer is filed, the clerk sets the hearing within 60 days and notifies the parties. Continuances are granted only for good cause. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 22-515 |
|---|---|
| Does the defendant file an answer? | Yes. The defendant must file a written answer, and pay the answer fee, within 20 days after service. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 22-514; A.R.S. § 22-522 |
| Counterclaims | A counterclaim is due within 20 days of service. If a counterclaim exceeds the $5,000 small claims limit, the court ends the small claims designation and the case proceeds as a regular civil case. If the court later finds the counterclaim was filed only to avoid small claims, it must award the plaintiff costs and reasonable attorney fees for defending it. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Jury trial | No. There is no right to a jury in the small claims division. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: A.R.S. § 22-518 |
After the decision
| Appeals | No appeal. The decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace is final and binding on both parties. A motion to vacate the judgment is allowed for limited reasons. Because there is no appeal, a party who wants appeal rights can ask to transfer the case to the regular justice court civil division before the hearing. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
|---|---|
| Collecting your judgment | Payment is due when judgment is entered. At judgment, the judge may order the debtor to attend a debtor's examination (immediately or within 10 days) to disclose assets. Collection then follows the justice court procedures in A.R.S. §§ 22-243 to 22-246 (such as writs of execution and garnishment); the statewide fee for issuing a writ is $33. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Deadline to sue
6 years for a debt founded on a written contract signed in Arizona, such as a written lease. 3 years for a debt not evidenced by a written contract, such as an oral lease, and for stated or open accounts. A.R.S. § 12-548(A)(1); § 12-543(1)-(2)
Official forms and help
Suing a landlord or tenant in Arizona
Tenants can use small claims to recover a security deposit and landlords can sue for unpaid rent or damage up to $5,000. Evictions (forcible or special detainer) cannot be filed in small claims and go to the regular justice court.
- Arizona security deposit demand letter (send before you sue)
- Arizona security deposit law
- Tenant lawyers and free legal aid in Arizona
Arizona small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Arizona?
$5,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Who can file a small claims case in Arizona?
An individual, marital community, corporation, partnership, association or other organization may sue or be sued. The plaintiff must be a real party to the original transaction; assignees (such as collection agencies) generally cannot sue in small claims.
Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Arizona?
Generally no. Attorneys may not appear or take part in a small claims case unless all parties agree in writing before the hearing; an attorney may represent himself or herself. Individuals represent themselves, and businesses appear through an owner, officer or authorized full-time employee.
Where do I file a small claims case in Arizona?
In the justice court precinct where the defendant lives, or as otherwise allowed by the justice court venue statute (A.R.S. § 22-202).
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in Arizona?
Statewide base fees: $30 to file a small claims complaint, $18 to file an answer, and $8 for service by mail. Local courts may add fees. A fee waiver or deferral can be requested.
How do I serve the other side in a Arizona small claims case?
The plaintiff may serve the summons and complaint by registered or certified mail (service is complete on the delivery date on the return receipt, which is filed with the court). If mail service fails, personal service by a process server, sheriff or constable may be used. Proof of service must be filed within 45 days of filing the complaint or the case will be dismissed.
How long does a small claims case take in Arizona?
After the answer is filed, the clerk sets the hearing within 60 days and notifies the parties. Continuances are granted only for good cause.
Does a defendant have to file an answer in Arizona small claims court?
Yes. The defendant must file a written answer, and pay the answer fee, within 20 days after service.
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in Arizona small claims court?
A counterclaim is due within 20 days of service. If a counterclaim exceeds the $5,000 small claims limit, the court ends the small claims designation and the case proceeds as a regular civil case. If the court later finds the counterclaim was filed only to avoid small claims, it must award the plaintiff costs and reasonable attorney fees for defending it.
Is there a jury in Arizona small claims court?
No. There is no right to a jury in the small claims division.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in Arizona?
No appeal. The decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace is final and binding on both parties. A motion to vacate the judgment is allowed for limited reasons.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in Arizona?
Payment is due when judgment is entered. At judgment, the judge may order the debtor to attend a debtor's examination (immediately or within 10 days) to disclose assets. Collection then follows the justice court procedures in A.R.S. §§ 22-243 to 22-246 (such as writs of execution and garnishment); the statewide fee for issuing a writ is $33.
Can I file a small claims case online in Arizona?
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in most justice courts; the state e-filing page does not say whether self-represented small claims filers can file online.
Where can I get small claims court forms in Arizona?
To start a small claims case in an Arizona justice court, file the Complaint (LJSC00001F) and Summons (LJSC00002F); the Self-Service Center also offers a Small Claims Checklist for Plaintiff (LJSC00002I) and a case instructions guide. Defendants use the Answer (LJSC00004F) and Counterclaim (LJSC00005F). Individual courts may have their own preferred forms.
Small claims limits in all 50 states and DC · Small claims court in other states
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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.