Oregon Small Claims Court
Owed money in Oregon? 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.
Oregon small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $10,000
- Court
- Small Claims Department of Circuit Court (or Justice Court)
- Filing fee
- Circuit court: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less, $102 for claims over $2,500 (ORS 46.570; defendant pays the same to demand a hearing). Justice court small claims fees are set separately and vary by court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- NOT allowed without the judge's consent — 'No attorney at law or person other than the plaintiff and defendant and their witnesses shall appear' without leave (ORS 46.415(4) circuit court; ORS 55.090 justice court)
Source: ORS 46.405, 46.415(4) (circuit court); ORS 55.011, 55.090 (justice court) · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Small Claims Department of Circuit Court (or 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 Oregon Small Claims Department of Circuit Court (or 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 Oregon · 2026
How to file in Oregon — 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 Department of Circuit Court (or Justice Court) where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: Circuit court: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less, $102 for claims over $2,500 (ORS 46.570; defendant pays the same to demand a hearing). Justice court small claims fees are set separately and vary by court..
- Serve the defendant the way Oregon 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 Oregon small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in Oregon small claims court?
The limit is $10,000 (as of 2026). Small Claims Department of Circuit Court hears claims up to $10,000 (ORS 46.405); claims of $750 or less MUST be brought as small claims — the procedure is mandatory, not optional, below that amount. Justice courts (where they exist) have parallel small claims departments with the same structure (ORS 55.011). Source: ORS 46.405, 46.415(4) (circuit court); ORS 55.011, 55.090 (justice court). 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 Oregon, small claims cases are heard by the Small Claims Department of Circuit Court (or Justice Court), generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: Circuit court: $57 for claims of $2,500 or less, $102 for claims over $2,500 (ORS 46.570; defendant pays the same to demand a hearing). Justice court small claims fees are set separately and vary by court.. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In Oregon: NOT allowed without the judge's consent — 'No attorney at law or person other than the plaintiff and defendant and their witnesses shall appear' without leave (ORS 46.415(4) circuit court; ORS 55.090 justice court). 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 Oregon 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 Oregon compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How Oregon compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Oregon: ORS 46.405, 46.415(4) (circuit court); ORS 55.011, 55.090 (justice court) ↗.
- 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 — California ($12,500), Idaho ($5,000), Nevada ($10,000), Washington ($10,000).
Small claims guide in other states
More Oregon legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →