Minnesota Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File
How small claims court works in Minnesota: 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 Minnesota
- Small claims limit
- $20,000 in money or property; $4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction. Excluded: real estate title and boundary disputes, libel or slander, class actions, prejudgment remedies, most injunctions and specific performance, family and probate matters, evictions and medical malpractice. Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subds. 3a, 4
- Filing fee
- $65 from each plaintiff and each defendant when they first file (county law library fees may be added). A person who cannot pay may proceed without fees; if that person wins, the fees are taken from the recovery. Minn. Stat. § 357.022; Minn. Stat. § 491A.02, subd. 3
- Are lawyers allowed?
- Yes. A party may be represented by a Minnesota-licensed lawyer. Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512
- Appeals
- Either party may appeal by 'removal' to district court for a new trial (trial de novo). The demand for removal must be served on the other side and filed, with a good-faith affidavit and a fee equal to the district court civil filing fee, within 21 days after the court administrator sends notice of the judgment. A removing party who does not do sufficiently better in district court may owe the other side an extra $50 in costs. Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 521; Minn. Stat. § 491A.02, subds. 6-7
Court: Conciliation Court (a division of the District Court in each county). Last verified: 2026-10-24.
How to file a small claims case in Minnesota
- Confirm your claim is $20,000 or less ($4,000 for consumer credit claims) and is not an excluded type, such as an eviction.
- File a conciliation court claim in the county where the defendant lives (or where the rental property is, for landlord-tenant damages) and pay the $65 fee or apply to proceed without fees.
- The court administrator sets a trial at least 28 days out and mails the summons; for claims over $2,500, you must serve by certified mail and file proof of service.
- If you are the defendant and have your own claim, file and serve a counterclaim by certified mail at least 14 days before trial.
- Share exhibits with the other side at least 3 days before trial and present your case to the judge (no jury).
- Either side may remove the case to district court for a new trial within 21 days after notice of the judgment.
- To collect, file a transcript of the final judgment in district court, then use asset disclosure, execution or garnishment.
Can you use small claims court?
| Small claims limit | $20,000 in money or property; $4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction. Excluded: real estate title and boundary disputes, libel or slander, class actions, prejudgment remedies, most injunctions and specific performance, family and probate matters, evictions and medical malpractice. |
|---|---|
| Who can file | Individuals, businesses and government bodies may file. Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, sole proprietorships and associations may appear through an officer, manager, partner or authorized agent or employee, with proof of authority; an employee of a commercial property manager must hold a real estate license and be authorized by the owner. Class actions are not allowed. |
| Are lawyers allowed? | Yes. A party may be represented by a Minnesota-licensed lawyer. Source: Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 |
Filing your case
| Where to file | Generally in the county where the defendant lives; with two or more defendants, in a county where at least one lives. Landlord-tenant damage claims may be filed in the county where the rental property is located. Special rules allow suits in the plaintiff's county against foreign corporations without a registered agent, certain nonresidents, and for dishonored checks. |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $65 from each plaintiff and each defendant when they first file (county law library fees may be added). A person who cannot pay may proceed without fees; if that person wins, the fees are taken from the recovery. |
| Filing online | Self-represented litigants may choose to e-file and e-serve in any county where electronic filing is authorized; it is optional unless the judge orders otherwise. Source: Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(5) |
| Serving the defendant | The court administrator prepares the summons and mails it to an in-county defendant by first-class mail. If the claim is over $2,500, the plaintiff must serve by certified mail (personal service is also allowed). For an out-of-state defendant, the plaintiff arranges service. Proof of service must be filed within 60 days or the case is dismissed without prejudice. |
Before and at the hearing
| When the hearing happens | The court administrator sets the trial date, which must be at least 28 days after the summons is mailed or served unless a judge orders otherwise. |
|---|---|
| Does the defendant file an answer? | No written answer is required; the summons requires the defendant to appear at the trial and warns that a default judgment may be entered if the defendant does not. Exhibits must be shared with the other side at least 3 days before trial. |
| Counterclaims | A defendant may counterclaim for any amount within conciliation court jurisdiction, even if unrelated to the plaintiff's claim. The counterclaim must be filed with fees and served on the plaintiff by certified mail at least 14 days before trial; a late counterclaim is heard only with the judge's permission. Counterclaims may be brought in the county where the original action was filed (Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 8). |
| Mediation | The judge may encourage settlement, and an agreement is entered as the judgment. Source: Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 |
| Jury trial | No jury in conciliation court. A party who removes the case to district court for a new trial may demand a jury, for an additional fee. |
| Interpreters | The summons includes a notice about requesting an interpreter. When the court appoints an interpreter, it uses a certified court interpreter when one is reasonably available. Parties should tell the court in advance if an interpreter will be needed. |
After the decision
| Appeals | Either party may appeal by 'removal' to district court for a new trial (trial de novo). The demand for removal must be served on the other side and filed, with a good-faith affidavit and a fee equal to the district court civil filing fee, within 21 days after the court administrator sends notice of the judgment. A removing party who does not do sufficiently better in district court may owe the other side an extra $50 in costs. |
|---|---|
| Collecting your judgment | Conciliation court cannot issue a writ of execution or garnishment summons. Once the judgment is final, the creditor obtains a transcript, pays the fee and files it in district court, where it becomes a district court judgment and a lien on the debtor's real property in that county. The creditor can then ask the court to order the debtor to complete an asset disclosure form within 10 days, and can use execution and garnishment. Judgments may be payable in installments (final payment within one year). |
Deadline to sue
6 years for actions on a contract or other obligation, express or implied. The same period applies to written and oral leases. Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1)
Suing a landlord or tenant in Minnesota
Unpaid rent and property damage claims of $20,000 or less can be filed in conciliation court, and landlord-tenant damage claims may be filed in the county where the rental property is located. Evictions cannot be heard in conciliation court.
- Minnesota security deposit demand letter (send before you sue)
- Minnesota security deposit law
- Tenant lawyers and free legal aid in Minnesota
Minnesota small claims FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Minnesota?
$20,000 in money or property; $4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction. Excluded: real estate title and boundary disputes, libel or slander, class actions, prejudgment remedies, most injunctions and specific performance, family and probate matters, evictions and medical malpractice.
Who can file a small claims case in Minnesota?
Individuals, businesses and government bodies may file. Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, sole proprietorships and associations may appear through an officer, manager, partner or authorized agent or employee, with proof of authority; an employee of a commercial property manager must hold a real estate license and be authorized by the owner. Class actions are not allowed.
Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Minnesota?
Yes. A party may be represented by a Minnesota-licensed lawyer.
Where do I file a small claims case in Minnesota?
Generally in the county where the defendant lives; with two or more defendants, in a county where at least one lives. Landlord-tenant damage claims may be filed in the county where the rental property is located. Special rules allow suits in the plaintiff's county against foreign corporations without a registered agent, certain nonresidents, and for dishonored checks.
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in Minnesota?
$65 from each plaintiff and each defendant when they first file (county law library fees may be added). A person who cannot pay may proceed without fees; if that person wins, the fees are taken from the recovery.
How do I serve the other side in a Minnesota small claims case?
The court administrator prepares the summons and mails it to an in-county defendant by first-class mail. If the claim is over $2,500, the plaintiff must serve by certified mail (personal service is also allowed). For an out-of-state defendant, the plaintiff arranges service. Proof of service must be filed within 60 days or the case is dismissed without prejudice.
How long does a small claims case take in Minnesota?
The court administrator sets the trial date, which must be at least 28 days after the summons is mailed or served unless a judge orders otherwise.
Does a defendant have to file an answer in Minnesota small claims court?
No written answer is required; the summons requires the defendant to appear at the trial and warns that a default judgment may be entered if the defendant does not. Exhibits must be shared with the other side at least 3 days before trial.
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in Minnesota small claims court?
A defendant may counterclaim for any amount within conciliation court jurisdiction, even if unrelated to the plaintiff's claim. The counterclaim must be filed with fees and served on the plaintiff by certified mail at least 14 days before trial; a late counterclaim is heard only with the judge's permission.
Is there a jury in Minnesota small claims court?
No jury in conciliation court. A party who removes the case to district court for a new trial may demand a jury, for an additional fee.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in Minnesota?
Either party may appeal by 'removal' to district court for a new trial (trial de novo). The demand for removal must be served on the other side and filed, with a good-faith affidavit and a fee equal to the district court civil filing fee, within 21 days after the court administrator sends notice of the judgment. A removing party who does not do sufficiently better in district court may owe the other side an extra $50 in costs.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in Minnesota?
Conciliation court cannot issue a writ of execution or garnishment summons. Once the judgment is final, the creditor obtains a transcript, pays the fee and files it in district court, where it becomes a district court judgment and a lien on the debtor's real property in that county. The creditor can then ask the court to order the debtor to complete an asset disclosure form within 10 days, and can use execution and garnishment. Judgments may be payable in installments (final payment within one year).
Is mediation required in Minnesota small claims court?
The judge may encourage settlement, and an agreement is entered as the judgment.
Can I file a small claims case online in Minnesota?
Self-represented litigants may choose to e-file and e-serve in any county where electronic filing is authorized; it is optional unless the judge orders otherwise.
Can I get an interpreter in Minnesota small claims court?
The summons includes a notice about requesting an interpreter. When the court appoints an interpreter, it uses a certified court interpreter when one is reasonably available. Parties should tell the court in advance if an interpreter will be needed.
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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.