Small Claims Limits
General information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules change. Check with the court before you file.

All states

Small claims court in Alaska

$10,000maximum claim in District court (small claims), as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit
$10,0001,2AS 22.15.040(a)

You can sue for up to $10,000 in Alaska small claims, not counting costs, interest and attorney fees. If you file a larger claim as a small claim, you give up the amount above $10,000.

Court
District court (small claims)1,2,3AS 22.15.040(a)

Small claims are heard by a district judge or magistrate in the district court, and appeals go to the superior court.

Filing fee
$50 or $100 (by claim amount)2,4Alaska R. Admin. 9(c)(2)

The statewide filing fee is $50 for claims of $2,500 or less and $100 for larger claims.

Lawyers
Yes, not required2

You do not need a lawyer in a small claims case, but you may have one if you wish.

Appeals
30 days3,4Alaska R. Admin. 9(b)(4)

You have 30 days from the date on the clerk's certificate of distribution to file a notice of appeal to the superior court. The filing fee for a small claims appeal is $100.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract
3 years5AS 09.10.053

You have 3 years to sue over a contract, written or implied, unless another law sets a different period.

Oral contract
3 years5AS 09.10.053

You have 3 years to sue over a contract, written or implied, unless another law sets a different period.

Property damage
2 years5AS 09.10.070(a)(3)

You have 2 years to sue for taking, keeping or damaging personal property.

Personal injury
2 years5AS 09.10.070(a)(2)

You have 2 years to sue for personal injury.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

  1. AS 22.15.040, Small claims, Alaska State Legislature, 2025official
  2. Small Claims Information Sheet (SC-95, 4/21), Alaska Court System, 2021-04official
  3. District Court to Superior Court Appeals, Appellant Instructions (AP-200, 4/25), Alaska Court System, 2025-04official
  4. Alaska Rules of Administration, Rule 9 Fee Schedule, Alaska Court System, 2023-05-01official
  5. AS 09.10.053 to 09.10.070, Limitations of actions, Alaska State Legislature, 2025official

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.