District of Columbia Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File
How small claims court works in District of Columbia: 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 District of Columbia
- Small claims limit
- $10,000, exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs, for actions seeking only money. Actions affecting an interest in real property (including evictions) cannot be brought in the Small Claims Branch. D.C. Code § 11-1321
- Filing fee
- Fees are set by the court. A judge may waive prepayment of costs, or costs that accrue during the case, if the plaintiff shows by sworn statement or other evidence that they cannot pay. D.C. Code § 16-3903
- Appeals
- There is no appeal as of right. A party must file an application for allowance of an appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals. D.C. Code § 11-721(c)
Court: D.C. Superior Court, Small Claims and Conciliation Branch. Last verified: 2026-10-24.
How to file a small claims case in District of Columbia
- Confirm your claim is only for money, is $10,000 or less (not counting interest, attorney fees and costs) and does not involve real property.
- File a short, sworn (verified) statement of claim with the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch and pay the fee, or ask the judge to waive costs.
- Have the defendant served by the U.S. Marshal, by registered or certified mail, or by an authorized non-party server.
- Attend the hearing, which is set 5 to 30 days after filing; the judge will first try to settle the case by conciliation.
- If there is no settlement, the judge hears the case under informal procedures; a party entitled to a jury may demand one, which moves the case to the Civil Division.
- A party who wants review must apply to the D.C. Court of Appeals for allowance of an appeal.
- If you win, collect using Superior Court enforcement remedies, unless the judge has ordered installment payments.
Can you use small claims court?
| Small claims limit | $10,000, exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs, for actions seeking only money. Actions affecting an interest in real property (including evictions) cannot be brought in the Small Claims Branch. With all parties' consent, the Branch may resolve disputes of any amount by arbitration or conciliation (D.C. Code § 11-1322). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 11-1321 |
|---|---|
| Who can file | Individuals and businesses may file a verified statement of claim. The clerk may help individuals prepare the papers, but not corporations, partnerships or associations. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-3902 |
Filing your case
| Where to file | Cases are filed with the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the D.C. Superior Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over money-only claims up to $10,000. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 11-1321, 16-3902 |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | Fees are set by the court. A judge may waive prepayment of costs, or costs that accrue during the case, if the plaintiff shows by sworn statement or other evidence that they cannot pay. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-3903 |
| Serving the defendant | Service may be made by the U.S. Marshal, by registered or certified mail (the return receipt is prima facie proof of service), or by a non-party specially authorized by the clerk or appointed by the judge, who files an affidavit of service. Marshal and mail service costs can be recovered as costs; private-server costs cannot. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-3902 |
Before and at the hearing
| When the hearing happens | The hearing is set no fewer than 5 and no more than 30 days after filing (at least 30 days when the District of Columbia government is the defendant). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-3902 |
|---|---|
| Counterclaims | The judge may require a formal plea of set-off or counterclaim or waive that requirement, and may postpone the case so the plaintiff can respond. A set-off or counterclaim above $10,000 but within Superior Court jurisdiction stays in the Small Claims Branch. A counterclaim or defense involving real property sends the case to the Civil Division. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 16-3904, 11-1321 |
| Mediation | Before trial, the judge must make an earnest effort to settle the case by conciliation. With consent, the Branch may also arbitrate or conciliate disputes. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 16-3906, 11-1322 |
| Jury trial | A party entitled to a jury may file a jury demand; the case is then reassigned to the regular Civil Division and tried before a jury. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-3905 |
After the decision
| Appeals | There is no appeal as of right. A party must file an application for allowance of an appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 11-721(c) |
|---|---|
| Collecting your judgment | The judge may stay a judgment and order installment payments after reviewing the debtor's finances; a missed installment without just excuse lifts the stay. Otherwise the winner may use any enforcement remedy available in Superior Court. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 16-3907 |
Deadline to sue
3 years for an action on a simple contract, express or implied. This covers ordinary written and oral leases alike. 12 years for an instrument under seal. D.C. Code § 12-301(6)-(7)
Suing a landlord or tenant in District of Columbia
Tenants can sue for return of a security deposit and landlords for unpaid rent or damage as money claims up to $10,000. Evictions and other cases affecting an interest in real property cannot be filed in the Small Claims Branch.
- District of Columbia security deposit demand letter (send before you sue)
- District of Columbia security deposit law
- Tenant lawyers and free legal aid in District of Columbia
District of Columbia small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in District of Columbia?
$10,000, exclusive of interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs, for actions seeking only money. Actions affecting an interest in real property (including evictions) cannot be brought in the Small Claims Branch.
Who can file a small claims case in District of Columbia?
Individuals and businesses may file a verified statement of claim. The clerk may help individuals prepare the papers, but not corporations, partnerships or associations.
Where do I file a small claims case in District of Columbia?
Cases are filed with the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the D.C. Superior Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over money-only claims up to $10,000.
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in District of Columbia?
Fees are set by the court. A judge may waive prepayment of costs, or costs that accrue during the case, if the plaintiff shows by sworn statement or other evidence that they cannot pay.
How do I serve the other side in a District of Columbia small claims case?
Service may be made by the U.S. Marshal, by registered or certified mail (the return receipt is prima facie proof of service), or by a non-party specially authorized by the clerk or appointed by the judge, who files an affidavit of service. Marshal and mail service costs can be recovered as costs; private-server costs cannot.
How long does a small claims case take in District of Columbia?
The hearing is set no fewer than 5 and no more than 30 days after filing (at least 30 days when the District of Columbia government is the defendant).
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in District of Columbia small claims court?
The judge may require a formal plea of set-off or counterclaim or waive that requirement, and may postpone the case so the plaintiff can respond. A set-off or counterclaim above $10,000 but within Superior Court jurisdiction stays in the Small Claims Branch. A counterclaim or defense involving real property sends the case to the Civil Division.
Is there a jury in District of Columbia small claims court?
A party entitled to a jury may file a jury demand; the case is then reassigned to the regular Civil Division and tried before a jury.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in District of Columbia?
There is no appeal as of right. A party must file an application for allowance of an appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in District of Columbia?
The judge may stay a judgment and order installment payments after reviewing the debtor's finances; a missed installment without just excuse lifts the stay. Otherwise the winner may use any enforcement remedy available in Superior Court.
Is mediation required in District of Columbia small claims court?
Before trial, the judge must make an earnest effort to settle the case by conciliation. With consent, the Branch may also arbitrate or conciliate disputes.
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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.