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 Arizona

$5,000maximum claim in Small claims division of the justice court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit
$5,0001A.R.S. 22-503

The small claims division hears claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs. Some case types are excluded, including defamation, evictions, class actions, injunctions and claims against the state.

Court
Small claims division of the justice court1A.R.S. 22-503

Each justice court has a small claims division, which shares jurisdiction with the justice court for claims up to the limit.

Filing fee
$30 (statewide base fee)2Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2024-211

The statewide justice court fee schedule, effective December 28, 2024, sets $30 to file a small claims case and $18 to file an answer. Individual courts may add local fees.

Lawyers
No, unless both parties agree in writing3A.R.S. 22-512(B)(7), (D), (F)

Lawyers may not take part unless the parties agree in writing before the hearing. A lawyer may appear on their own behalf.

Appeals
No appeal4A.R.S. 22-519

There is no appeal in a small claims case. The decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace is final and binding on both parties.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract
6 years5A.R.S. 12-548

6 years for a debt based on a written contract signed in Arizona.

Oral contract
3 years6A.R.S. 12-543(1)

3 years for a debt that is not based on a written contract.

Property damage
2 years7A.R.S. 12-542(3), (4), (5)

2 years for damage to another person's property and for taking or keeping their personal property.

Personal injury
2 years7A.R.S. 12-542(1)

2 years 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. A.R.S. 22-503, Arizona State Legislatureofficial
  2. Justice Court Filing Fees, Arizona Judicial Branch, 2024-12-28official
  3. A.R.S. 22-512, Arizona State Legislatureofficial
  4. A.R.S. 22-519, Appeals, Arizona State Legislatureofficial
  5. A.R.S. 12-548, Arizona State Legislatureofficial
  6. A.R.S. 12-543, Arizona State Legislatureofficial
  7. A.R.S. 12-542, Arizona State Legislatureofficial

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.