Small claims court in Missouri

$5,000maximum claim in Small claims court (circuit court), as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $5,000^1,2,3Mo. Rev. Stat. 482.305
You can sue for up to $5,000 in small claims court, not counting interest or court costs.
Court: Small claims court (circuit court)^1,2Mo. Rev. Stat. 482.305
A circuit court judge sits as the small claims court in each county. If someone asks for a new trial, it is heard in the regular circuit court.
Filing fee: Varies by county ($100 in Morgan County)^4,2
Fees are set by each county's circuit clerk. Morgan County charges $100 to file, plus the cost of having the sheriff serve the summons.
Lawyers: Yes, not required^3,4,5
You can file without a lawyer, but you may hire one. Asking for a new trial usually needs a lawyer's help.
Appeals: 10 days (new trial)^5,2Mo. Rev. Stat. 482.365(2)
Any party who loses may ask for a new trial in circuit court by filing an application with the small claims clerk within 10 days after the judgment. A judgment you agreed to cannot be retried.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 10 years^6,7Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110(1), 516.120(1)
10 years for a written promise to pay money or property. Other written contracts generally have 5 years.
Oral contract: 5 years⁷Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120(1)
5 years for contracts and obligations, including those not in writing.
Property damage: 5 years⁷Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120(3), (4)
5 years for taking or damaging personal property and for trespass on real estate.
Personal injury: 5 years⁷Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120(4)
5 years for injury to the person not arising from a contract, unless another law sets a different period.

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

Mo. Rev. Stat. 482.305, Missouri Revisor of Statutes, 2011-08-28official
Small Claims Court Handbook (revised April 2021), 13th Judicial Circuit of Missouri, 2021-04official
Notice to Those Wishing to File a Small Claim, 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, 2021-07-01official
Small Claims and Fees, Morgan County, Missouriofficial
Mo. Rev. Stat. 482.365, Missouri Revisor of Statutes, 1993-08-28official
Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.110, Missouri Revisor of Statutes, 1939-08-28official
Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120, Missouri Revisor of Statutes, 1939-08-28official

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.