Small claims court in Minnesota

$20,000maximum claim in Conciliation Court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $20,000^1,2Minn. Stat. 491A.01, subd. 3a
Conciliation court hears general claims of up to $20,000. Claims involving a consumer credit transaction are limited to $4,000.
Court: Conciliation Court²
Minnesota's small claims court is called conciliation court.
Filing fee: $65 (plus any county law library fee)³Minn. Stat. 357.022
The statewide base fee is $65 for the first filing by a plaintiff or defendant. Counties may add a law library fee.
Lawyers: Yes^4,5Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512(d), Minn. Stat. 491A.02, subd. 4
Parties may represent themselves or be represented by a lawyer licensed in Minnesota. A business may appear through an officer, manager or partner, or an authorized employee.
Appeals: 21 days (removal to district court)⁶Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 521(b)
A party who disagrees with the decision can remove the case to district court for a new trial within 21 days after the court sends notice of the judgment.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 6 years⁷Minn. Stat. 541.05, subd. 1(1)
6 years for a claim on a contract, express or implied, unless another law sets a different period.
Oral contract: 6 years⁷Minn. Stat. 541.05, subd. 1(1)
6 years. Minnesota uses the same period for written and oral contracts.
Property damage: 6 years⁷Minn. Stat. 541.05, subd. 1(3), (4)
6 years for taking or damaging personal property, and for trespass on real estate.
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

Minnesota Statutes 491A.01, Conciliation court, jurisdiction, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
Conciliation Court (Small Claims Court), Minnesota Judicial Branchofficial
Minnesota District Court Fees, Minnesota Judicial Branchofficial
Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
Minn. Stat. 491A.02, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, 2025official
Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 521, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
Minn. Stat. 541.05, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, 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.