Small claims court in North Dakota

$15,000maximum claim in Small claims court (district court), as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $15,000^1,2N.D. Cent. Code 27-08.1-01
You can sue for up to $15,000 in North Dakota small claims court.
Court: Small claims court (district court)^2,1N.D. Cent. Code 27-08.1-01
Small claims court is part of the district court.
Filing fee: $20³N.D. Cent. Code 27-05.2-03
State law sets a $20 fee to file a small claims action in district court.
Lawyers: Yes, not required¹N.D. Cent. Code 27-08.1-03
Both sides may appear at the hearing without a lawyer.
Appeals: No appeal^2,1N.D. Cent. Code 27-08.1-04
Small claims decisions are final and cannot be appealed. By choosing small claims, the plaintiff gives up any appeal, and a defendant may instead move the case to regular district court.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 6 years⁴N.D. Cent. Code 28-01-16(1)
You have 6 years to sue over a contract, written or implied.
Oral contract: 6 years⁴N.D. Cent. Code 28-01-16(1)
You have 6 years. North Dakota uses the same period for written and oral contracts.
Property damage: 6 years⁴N.D. Cent. Code 28-01-16(3), (4)
You have 6 years to sue for trespass on land or for taking or damaging personal property.
Personal injury: 6 years⁴N.D. Cent. Code 28-01-16(5), 28-01-18
You generally have 6 years to sue for an injury to the person. Some claims, such as assault, battery and malpractice, have 2 years.

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

N.D. Cent. Code chapter 27-08.1, Small claims court, North Dakota Legislative Branchofficial
Small Claims Court Actions, North Dakota Court Systemofficial
N.D. Cent. Code chapter 27-05.2, Fees, North Dakota Legislative Branchofficial
N.D. Cent. Code chapter 28-01, Limitations of actions, North Dakota Legislative Branchofficial

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.