Small claims court in Washington

$10,000maximum claim in Small claims department of the district court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $10,000¹RCW 12.40.010
Individuals may sue for up to $10,000. All other plaintiffs, such as businesses, are limited to $5,000.
Court: Small claims department of the district court¹RCW 12.40.010
Small claims are heard in the small claims department of the district court.
Filing fee: $35 (plus up to $15 county surcharge)^2,3RCW 12.40.020, 7.75.035
State law sets a $35 filing fee. Each county may add a surcharge of up to $15.
Lawyers: No, unless the judge consents⁴RCW 12.40.080(1)
Lawyers and other representatives may not appear without the consent of the judge hearing the case.
Appeals: 30 days (limited)^5,6RCW 12.40.120, 12.36.020
A notice of appeal must be filed in district court within 30 days after judgment. There is no appeal for claims under $250, and a party who brought a claim under $1,000 cannot appeal it.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 6 years⁷RCW 4.16.040(1)
6 years for a written contract.
Oral contract: 3 years⁸RCW 4.16.080(3)
3 years for a contract that is not in writing.
Property damage: 3 years⁸RCW 4.16.080(2)
3 years for taking or damaging personal property.
Personal injury: 3 years⁸RCW 4.16.080(2)
3 years for 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

RCW 12.40.010, Washington State Legislature, 2019official
RCW 12.40.020, Washington State Legislature, 2019official
RCW 7.75.035, Washington State Legislature, 1990official
RCW 12.40.080, Washington State Legislatureofficial
RCW 12.40.120, Appeals, setting aside judgments, Washington State Legislatureofficial
RCW 12.36.020, Washington State Legislature, 2025official
RCW 4.16.040, Washington State Legislatureofficial
RCW 4.16.080, Washington State 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.