New York Small Claims
New York filing basics for renter claims, consumer disputes, contractor disputes, unpaid wages, and property damage cases, with court-specific limit differences called out.
General Information Only: This page provides general educational information as of March 24, 2026. Court rules and fees change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local court or the NY Courts website.
New York
City, Town, and Village Courts
Start with the New York path that fits your dispute
These five claim tracks are the main audience paths we are optimizing. Use the matching guide, then verify New York limits, fees, and county court details below.
New York rental money disputes
Start with renter guidance, then verify New York limits, venue rules, and county court details on this page.
ConsumersNew York consumer disputes
Use the consumer guide for refunds, warranty issues, and scams, then confirm New York filing costs and service rules below.
ContractorsNew York contractor claims
Use the contractor guide for bad workmanship and unfinished jobs, then match the claim to the right New York court.
WorkersNew York wage-related claims
Use the wage guide to organize unpaid paycheck issues, then confirm whether New York small claims is the right venue.
Property ownersNew York property damage claims
Use the property-damage guide for vehicle, home, and belongings damage, then verify New York claim caps and local court procedures.
$3,000-$10,000
Depends on court
$10,000
NYC Civil Court
$5,000
Outside NYC
$3,000
Justice courts
Available Local Court Pages
New York is organized by court system instead of a pure county list. Use the borough, district-court, Westchester, and Buffalo links here or open the dropdown for faster access.
NYC borough pages
Long Island district courts
Westchester pages
Upstate city court
Know Which New York Limit Applies
NYC Civil Court
Claims up to $10,000 in the five boroughs, using the Civil Court small claims part.
City Courts Outside NYC
Claims up to $5,000 in cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers.
Town And Village Courts
Claims up to $3,000. If your amount is above that, you may need a city court in the county or a different court track.
Key Information
1Court Types
- NYC Civil Court: up to $10,000
- City Courts outside NYC: up to $5,000
- Town/Village Justice Courts: up to $3,000
- District Courts (Nassau/Suffolk): confirm the local civil limit and filing part before filing
2Who Can File
- Individuals and sole proprietors
- Municipal and public benefit corporations
- Most corporations, LLCs, and partnerships must use commercial claims instead
- Must be 18+ or use guardian
Common Case Types
Security Deposits
Landlord disputes
Property Damage
Auto, neighbor issues
Unpaid Services
Work not compensated
Contract Disputes
Broken agreements
Consumer Problems
Defective goods
Loan Recovery
Personal loans
Statutes of Limitations
You must file your claim within these time limits from when the issue occurred:
Filing Process Overview
Choose the Right Court
Match your amount and venue to NYC Civil Court, a city court, or a town/village justice court.
File Your Claim
Use the local court's claim form and filing channel. NYC allows mail filing; other courts may expect in-person filing.
Pay Filing Fee
Small claims fees are generally $15 up to $1,000 and $20 over $1,000, but confirm the exact court before filing.
Defendant Gets Notice
Court usually handles service by mail
Attend Hearing
Present your case with evidence; hearings often at night
NYC Versus The Rest Of New York
New York City has its own Civil Court system with small claims parts in all 5 boroughs and a $10,000 ceiling. Outside NYC, ordinary city courts usually top out at $5,000 and town or village justice courts top out at $3,000.
NYC Small Claims CourtOfficial Resources
Legal Disclaimer
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and may be outdated. Laws and procedures change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the New York Courts website or consult a licensed attorney. This is not legal advice. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.