New York Small Claims Court
Owed money in New York? 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 the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
New York small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $10,000
- Court
- Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court
- Filing fee
- NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 over $1,000 (CCA § 1803; UCCA § 1803). Town and Village Courts: $10 up to $1,000, $15 over (UJCA § 1803).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but rarely used. Corporations, partnerships and associations cannot file as small claims plaintiffs (CCA § 1809) — businesses use the separate Commercial Claims part — but they can be sued and may defend through an attorney or an authorized officer, director, or employee.
Source: NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801 · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court clerk before filing.
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Demand for Payment
__________
From: __________
To: __________
This letter is a formal demand for payment of $______, owed to me for the following: __________ .
I have already attempted to resolve this: __________ . The amount remains unpaid.
If I do not receive full payment within ____ days of the date of this letter, I intend to file a claim against you in the New York Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court without further notice. A judgment could add court costs and interest to the amount you owe, and may affect your credit.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court. You can contact me at the address above to arrange payment.
Generated with SealFormsStep one before filing in New York · 2026
How to file in New York — 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 Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 over $1,000 (CCA § 1803; UCCA § 1803). Town and Village Courts: $10 up to $1,000, $15 over (UJCA § 1803)..
- Serve the defendant the way New York 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 New York small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in New York small claims court?
The limit is $10,000 (as of 2026). Limit depends on the court: Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court — $10,000 (NYC Civil Court Act § 1801, raised from $5,000 in 2021); City Courts outside NYC — $5,000 (UCCA § 1801); Town and Village Justice Courts — $3,000 (UJCA § 1801). Money-only claims, exclusive of interest and costs. Source: NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801. 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 New York, small claims cases are heard by the Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court, generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 over $1,000 (CCA § 1803; UCCA § 1803). Town and Village Courts: $10 up to $1,000, $15 over (UJCA § 1803).. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In New York: Allowed but rarely used. Corporations, partnerships and associations cannot file as small claims plaintiffs (CCA § 1809) — businesses use the separate Commercial Claims part — but they can be sued and may defend through an attorney or an authorized officer, director, or employee.. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
Do I have to send a demand letter first?
Send one even where it isn't strictly required: many judges expect proof that you asked for the money in writing before filing, some statutes require it, and in practice a firm dated letter with a deadline resolves a large share of disputes without a case. Use the free generator on this page and send it in a way you can prove (certified mail or another trackable method).
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 New York 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 New York compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How New York compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for New York: NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801 ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $10,000, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 15 other states.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — Connecticut ($5,000), Massachusetts ($7,000), New Jersey ($5,000), Pennsylvania ($12,000), Vermont ($10,000).
Small claims guide in other states
More New York legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →