Arizona Small Claims Court
Owed money in Arizona? Here's the dollar limit, the court that hears it, what filing costs — and a free demand letter to send first, which resolves many disputes without a case. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Arizona small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $5,000
- Court
- Small Claims Division of the Justice Court
- Filing fee
- Varies by county justice court, roughly $35-$75 for the plaintiff (e.g. Maricopa County justice courts around $39-$73); certified-mail service through the court costs extra
- Lawyers at the hearing
- not allowed unless BOTH parties stipulate in writing before the hearing (A.R.S. §22-512); attorneys may represent themselves
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §22-503 (limit); §22-512 (attorneys) · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Small Claims Division of the Justice Court clerk before filing.
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How to file in Arizona — the short version
- Demand first. Send the letter above by a trackable method and keep proof — judges expect it, and it often gets you paid without a case.
- File with the Small Claims Division of the Justice Court where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: Varies by county justice court, roughly $35-$75 for the plaintiff (e.g. Maricopa County justice courts around $39-$73); certified-mail service through the court costs extra.
- Serve the defendant the way Arizona rules require (clerk, sheriff, certified mail, or process server — ask the clerk). Bad service is the #1 way cases get thrown out.
- Bring evidence: contracts, invoices, photos, messages, this demand letter and its delivery proof, and any witnesses.
- Collect. If you win and they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment, levy, and liens.
Check the current Arizona small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in Arizona small claims court?
The limit is $5,000 (as of 2026). $5,000 exclusive of interest and costs, raised from $3,500 by SB 1022 (2025). Excluded from small claims: defamation, eviction (forcible entry/detainer), specific performance, class actions, injunctions, and claims against the state. Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §22-503 (limit); §22-512 (attorneys). If you're owed more, you can sue in the regular civil court instead — or waive the excess and stay in small claims, which is usually faster and cheaper.
Where do I file?
In Arizona, small claims cases are heard by the Small Claims Division of the Justice Court, generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: Varies by county justice court, roughly $35-$75 for the plaintiff (e.g. Maricopa County justice courts around $39-$73); certified-mail service through the court costs extra. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In Arizona: not allowed unless BOTH parties stipulate in writing before the hearing (A.R.S. §22-512); attorneys may represent themselves. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
What happens if I win but they don't pay?
A judgment isn't a check — if the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you enforce it: wage garnishment, bank levy, or property liens, depending on Arizona law. The court clerk can point you to the forms. Judgments also accrue interest and stay enforceable for years, so a stubborn debtor doesn't run out the clock quickly.
How does Arizona compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How Arizona compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Arizona: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §22-503 (limit); §22-512 (attorneys) ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $5,000 — well under the national median of $10,000 across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 10 other states.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — California ($12,500), Colorado ($7,500), Nevada ($10,000), New Mexico ($10,000), Utah ($20,000). Arizona's $5,000 is the shortest among its neighbors.
The rest of what Arizona requires
The figures below are Arizona's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Arizona page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1.5 months' rent Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 14 days after move-out Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Ariz. Rev. Stat. §33-1321 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 5 days to pay or quit Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1368; § 33-1375 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 10 days Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1368; § 33-1375 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Arizona Legislature ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Arizona MVD (Form 48-2004) ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required · 1 witness Ariz. Rev. Stat. §14-5501 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 29-3102(17) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder · no witnesses A.R.S. § 33-401 ↗
Small claims guide in other states
More Arizona legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →