Small claims court in District of Columbia

$10,000maximum claim in Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, D.C. Superior Court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $10,000¹D.C. Code 11-1321
You can sue for up to $10,000 in D.C. small claims, not counting interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs.
Court: Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, D.C. Superior Court^1,2D.C. Code 11-1321
Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of the D.C. Superior Court.
Filing fee: $5 to $45 (by claim amount)³D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 202
The filing fee is $5 for claims of $500 or less, $10 for claims over $500 up to $2,500, and $45 for larger claims.
Lawyers: Yes, required for business plaintiffs⁴D.C. Super. Ct. Small Claims R. 9
Only members of the D.C. Bar may represent others in small claims, with limited exceptions. A corporation or partnership must use a lawyer to sue, but may defend a claim through an authorized officer, director or employee.
Appeals: 3 days (with permission)²
If a magistrate judge decided your case, you first have 10 days to ask an associate judge to review it. After an associate judge's order, you have 3 days to apply to the D.C. Court of Appeals for permission to appeal.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 3 years⁵D.C. Code 12-301(a)(6), (7)
You have 3 years to sue over a simple contract, written or implied. Instruments under seal have 12 years.
Oral contract: 3 years⁵D.C. Code 12-301(a)(7)
You have 3 years to sue over a simple contract, written or implied.
Property damage: 3 years⁵D.C. Code 12-301(a)(3)
You have 3 years to sue for damage to real or personal property.
Personal injury: Not yet confirmed
We have not confirmed this from an official source yet, so we do not show a figure.

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

D.C. Code 11-1321, Council of the District of Columbiaofficial
Appeals of Small Claims Cases guide, District of Columbia Courtsofficial
Superior Court Civil Rule 202, Fees, District of Columbia Courtsofficial
Superior Court Rules of Procedure for the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, D.C. Superior Court, 2022official
D.C. Code 12-301, Council of the District of Columbiaofficial

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.