Small claims court in Idaho

$15,000maximum claim in Small claims department of the magistrate division, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $15,000^1,2Idaho Code 1-2301
You can sue for up to $15,000 in Idaho small claims. A 2026 law raised the limit from $5,000, starting July 1, 2026.
Court: Small claims department of the magistrate division^1,3Idaho Code 1-2301
Small claims cases are heard in the small claims department of the magistrate division of the district court.
Filing fee: $69^4,5,6I.R.C.P. Appendix A, Idaho Code 1-2303(3)
The statewide fee to file a small claims case is $69 under the Idaho Supreme Court fee schedule. Having the sheriff serve the papers costs extra, for example $55 in Owyhee County.
Lawyers: No⁷Idaho R. Small Claim Actions 8
No lawyer may appear with or for a party at a small claims hearing. Lawyers may take part after judgment, for example in collecting the judgment.
Appeals: 30 days^3,4Idaho Code 1-2311
You have 30 days after judgment to appeal, and a different lawyer magistrate in the same county hears the appeal. The court fee schedule lists an $81 total fee for this appeal.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 5 years⁸Idaho Code 5-216
You have 5 years to sue over a written contract.
Oral contract: 4 years⁹Idaho Code 5-217
You have 4 years to sue over a contract that is not in writing.
Property damage: 3 years¹⁰Idaho Code 5-218(2), (3)
You have 3 years to sue for trespass on land or for taking or damaging personal property.
Personal injury: 2 years¹¹Idaho Code 5-219(4)
You have 2 years to sue for an injury to the person.

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

Idaho Code 1-2301, Idaho Legislature, 2026official
Senate Bill 1330, as amended (2026), Idaho Legislature, 2026official
Idaho Code 1-2311, Idaho Legislatureofficial
Civil Case Filing Fees, Appendix A of I.R.C.P. (Effective July 12, 2024), Idaho Supreme Court, 2024-07-12official
Idaho Code 1-2303, Idaho Legislatureofficial
Small Claims, Owyhee County Courts, Owyhee County, Idahoofficial
Idaho Rules on Small Claim Actions, Rule 8, Appearances, Attorneys, and Witnesses, Idaho Supreme Courtofficial
Idaho Code 5-216, Idaho Legislatureofficial
Idaho Code 5-217, Idaho Legislatureofficial
Idaho Code 5-218, Idaho Legislatureofficial
Idaho Code 5-219, Idaho 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.