Free renter tool
Small Claims Court Starting Points
Open the official court source and prepare the records you may need for a security-deposit claim
Select the property state
Check the current court instructions
Before filing, confirm the claim limit, fee, court location, forms, service instructions, hearing procedures, and deadlines on the official court site.
Court and claim limit
County Court
Up to $8,000
Open the official court sourceVerify before filing
- Confirm that small claims is the correct court and that the claim fits its current jurisdiction.
- Read the live fee and fee-waiver instructions, forms, venue rule, service rule, deadlines, representation rules, and appeal information.
- Identify the correct legal name and service address for every defendant.
- Organize the lease, deposit proof, condition records, notices, itemization, photos, invoices, and payment records.
- Separate the actual amount requested from any conditional statutory remedy and be ready to support each component.
Court staff may explain procedure. Ask a licensed attorney for advice about presenting your claim.