Connecticut Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File
How small claims court works in Connecticut: 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 Connecticut
- Small claims limit
- $5,000 for money damages. Home improvement contract claims may be up to $15,000, and a tenant's security deposit suit may recover up to twice the deposit. Connecticut Judicial Branch Small Claims page and Small Claims FAQ
- Filing fee
- $95 entry (filing) fee. A counterclaim is $95, a motion to transfer to the regular docket is $125, and each application for execution is $105. A winning plaintiff may have the entry fee and service costs added to the judgment. Connecticut Judicial Branch Small Claims FAQ
- Are lawyers allowed?
- You do not need an attorney, but parties may use one. Connecticut Judicial Branch Small Claims FAQ
- Appeals
- No appeal. A small claims decision cannot be appealed. Connecticut Judicial Branch Small Claims FAQ
Court: Superior Court (small claims session). Last verified: 2026-10-24.
How to file a small claims case in Connecticut
- Confirm your claim is for money damages of $5,000 or less (up to $15,000 for a home improvement contract).
- Fill out the small claims writ and notice of suit from the Judicial Branch forms page, or start the case through E-Services.
- Serve each defendant before filing, by certified or priority mail, courier with delivery confirmation, or state marshal.
- File the writ with the court within one month after service and pay the $95 entry fee.
- The defendant files an answer and any counterclaim by the answer date set by the clerk.
- Take part in an ODR settlement conference if ordered; if the case does not settle, a magistrate decides it, either on the papers or after a trial.
- There is no appeal; if you win and are not paid, apply for an execution or place a judgment lien on real estate.
Can you use small claims court?
| Small claims limit | $5,000 for money damages. Home improvement contract claims may be up to $15,000, and a tenant's security deposit suit may recover up to twice the deposit. Small claims is for money damages only. |
|---|---|
| Who can file | Individuals and businesses, including out-of-state individuals and businesses (who may need to attend hearings in Connecticut). An out-of-state individual can be sued only if they own property in Connecticut. |
| Are lawyers allowed? | You do not need an attorney, but parties may use one. |
Filing your case
| Where to file | An individual may file where the plaintiff lives, where the defendant lives or does business, or where the transaction or injury occurred. A business may file where the defendant lives or does business, or where the transaction or injury occurred. |
|---|---|
| Official forms | Start a Connecticut small claims case with form JD-CV-40, Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit, which the plaintiff serves on each defendant. The Judicial Branch's Small Claims forms page posts it with the related small claims forms as fillable PDFs. |
| Filing fee | $95 entry (filing) fee. A counterclaim is $95, a motion to transfer to the regular docket is $125, and each application for execution is $105. A winning plaintiff may have the entry fee and service costs added to the judgment. |
| Filing online | Yes. Small claims cases can be e-filed through the Judicial Branch E-Services system. |
| Serving the defendant | The plaintiff delivers the writ to each defendant before filing it with the court, by priority mail with delivery confirmation, certified mail return receipt requested, a nationally recognized courier with delivery confirmation, or a proper officer such as a state marshal. Out-of-state business entities must be served by a proper officer. The writ must be returned to court within one month after service. |
Before and at the hearing
| When the hearing happens | The clerk sets an answer date. After that date, a magistrate reviews the file and decides whether the case can be decided without a trial or must be scheduled for trial. |
|---|---|
| Does the defendant file an answer? | Yes. The defendant must file an answer on or before the answer date set by the clerk and send a copy to the plaintiff. |
| Counterclaims | A counterclaim ($95) must be filed on or before the answer date, or when a motion to open a judgment is granted. A party may move to transfer the case to the regular civil docket (form JD-CV-158, $125) under Practice Book § 24-21. |
| Mediation | Parties may be required to take part in a remote Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) settlement conference by video or phone with a mediator. Participation is required, but reaching an agreement is not; if there is no agreement, the case goes to trial before a magistrate. |
| Jury trial | No. There are no jury trials in small claims; a jury trial is available only by transferring the case to the regular docket. |
After the decision
| Appeals | No appeal. A small claims decision cannot be appealed. A party who wants appeal or jury rights must transfer the case to the regular docket before it is decided. |
|---|---|
| Collecting your judgment | The court does not collect for you. The winner can apply for an execution ($105), which lets a state marshal take wages, nonexempt personal property or bank accounts (not real estate). A judgment lien may be placed on real estate. Judgments can be enforced for up to 10 years. A satisfaction of judgment must be filed within 90 days after full payment. |
Deadline to sue
6 years for an action on a written contract, a simple or implied contract, or an account, which covers a written lease. 3 years for an express contract not put in writing and not evidenced by a signed note or memorandum, such as an oral lease. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576(a); § 52-581(a)
Official forms and help
Suing a landlord or tenant in Connecticut
Tenants may sue in small claims for return of a security deposit and can be awarded up to twice the deposit, even above the usual $5,000 limit. Landlords may use small claims for money claims such as unpaid rent or damage up to $5,000; small claims handles money damages only, so it cannot be used to evict.
- Connecticut security deposit demand letter (send before you sue)
- Connecticut security deposit law
- Tenant lawyers and free legal aid in Connecticut
Connecticut small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Connecticut?
$5,000 for money damages. Home improvement contract claims may be up to $15,000, and a tenant's security deposit suit may recover up to twice the deposit.
Who can file a small claims case in Connecticut?
Individuals and businesses, including out-of-state individuals and businesses (who may need to attend hearings in Connecticut). An out-of-state individual can be sued only if they own property in Connecticut.
Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Connecticut?
You do not need an attorney, but parties may use one.
Where do I file a small claims case in Connecticut?
An individual may file where the plaintiff lives, where the defendant lives or does business, or where the transaction or injury occurred. A business may file where the defendant lives or does business, or where the transaction or injury occurred.
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in Connecticut?
$95 entry (filing) fee. A counterclaim is $95, a motion to transfer to the regular docket is $125, and each application for execution is $105. A winning plaintiff may have the entry fee and service costs added to the judgment.
How do I serve the other side in a Connecticut small claims case?
The plaintiff delivers the writ to each defendant before filing it with the court, by priority mail with delivery confirmation, certified mail return receipt requested, a nationally recognized courier with delivery confirmation, or a proper officer such as a state marshal. Out-of-state business entities must be served by a proper officer. The writ must be returned to court within one month after service.
How long does a small claims case take in Connecticut?
The clerk sets an answer date. After that date, a magistrate reviews the file and decides whether the case can be decided without a trial or must be scheduled for trial.
Does a defendant have to file an answer in Connecticut small claims court?
Yes. The defendant must file an answer on or before the answer date set by the clerk and send a copy to the plaintiff.
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in Connecticut small claims court?
A counterclaim ($95) must be filed on or before the answer date, or when a motion to open a judgment is granted. A party may move to transfer the case to the regular civil docket (form JD-CV-158, $125) under Practice Book § 24-21.
Is there a jury in Connecticut small claims court?
No. There are no jury trials in small claims; a jury trial is available only by transferring the case to the regular docket.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in Connecticut?
No appeal. A small claims decision cannot be appealed.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in Connecticut?
The court does not collect for you. The winner can apply for an execution ($105), which lets a state marshal take wages, nonexempt personal property or bank accounts (not real estate). A judgment lien may be placed on real estate. Judgments can be enforced for up to 10 years. A satisfaction of judgment must be filed within 90 days after full payment.
Is mediation required in Connecticut small claims court?
Parties may be required to take part in a remote Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) settlement conference by video or phone with a mediator. Participation is required, but reaching an agreement is not; if there is no agreement, the case goes to trial before a magistrate.
Can I file a small claims case online in Connecticut?
Yes. Small claims cases can be e-filed through the Judicial Branch E-Services system.
Where can I get small claims court forms in Connecticut?
Start a Connecticut small claims case with form JD-CV-40, Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit, which the plaintiff serves on each defendant. The Judicial Branch's Small Claims forms page posts it with the related small claims forms as fillable PDFs.
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.