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Small claims court in Alabama (2026)

In Alabama you can sue for up to $6,000 in small claims. Court: Small claims docket of the District Court. Lawyers: allowed. Appeal: either side, 14 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 6 years to sue. Last checked .

Alabama small claims at a glance

Most you can sue for
$6,000
Court
Small claims docket of the District Court
Filing fee
Set by each court
Lawyers
Allowed
Appeal
Either side, 14 days

Can you sue in Alabama small claims?

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Alabama small claims limit

$6,000

Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.

The rule: Up to $6,000, not counting interest and costs. The same limit applies to individuals and businesses. A claim that includes attorney fees can only win those fees if the party has a licensed attorney.

Deadline to sue (general rule)

6 years for this kind of claim in Alabama. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.

Contracts (written or simple) and trespass to real or personal property: 6 years. Open or unliquidated accounts: 3 years from the last item. Sale of goods (UCC): 4 years. Injury to the person or rights of another not arising from contract and not listed elsewhere: 2 years.

Lawyers: Lawyers may represent either side.

Appeal: File a notice of appeal with the clerk within 14 days from the date of the judgment (or denial of a post-trial motion, if later), with a bond, cash, or an approved affidavit of substantial hardship. The appeal is a trial de novo in circuit court.

Filing fee: State docket fees are $35 for claims of $1,500 or less, $109 for $1,500.01-$3,000, and $198 for $3,000.01-$6,000. Counties add local costs, so the total at filing differs. Example totals for one defendant: Pickens County $92 / $166 / $255; Bullock County $77 / $151 / $240. A fee deferral is possible with an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship.

The deadline shown is the general statute of limitations counted from the date you entered. The real deadline can be later (for example when the problem was discovered later or the other side left the state) or earlier (a contract can shorten it, and claims against a government agency often need a written notice first, on a much shorter clock). If you are close to it, file now or ask a legal aid office. This is legal information, not legal advice.

All Alabama small claims rules →Write a demand letter →

Where to file and how much

  • Court. Small claims are heard on the small claims docket of each county's District Court. You file in the county where the defendant lives or has an office.
  • Limit. Up to $6,000, not counting interest and costs. The same limit applies to individuals and businesses. A claim that includes attorney fees can only win those fees if the party has a licensed attorney.
  • Filing fee. State docket fees are $35 for claims of $1,500 or less, $109 for $1,500.01-$3,000, and $198 for $3,000.01-$6,000. Counties add local costs, so the total at filing differs. Example totals for one defendant: Pickens County $92 / $166 / $255; Bullock County $77 / $151 / $240. A fee deferral is possible with an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship.

Who can sue and who can speak in court

  • Anyone 19 or older, a partnership, or a corporation may file, with or without a lawyer. A partnership may appear through a partner or employee, and a corporation through an officer or full-time employee. An assignee of a claim may sue only if represented by a licensed attorney.
  • Before you file. The official sources reviewed do not require a demand for payment before filing.
  • Jury and moving the case. No jury in small claims; a judge hears the case. On appeal to circuit court, a jury may be had if the appellant demands it in the notice of appeal, or the appellee files a written demand within 14 days of notice of the appeal.

How long you have to sue in Alabama

The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Contracts (written or simple) and trespass to real or personal property: 6 years. Open or unliquidated accounts: 3 years from the last item. Sale of goods (UCC): 4 years. Injury to the person or rights of another not arising from contract and not listed elsewhere: 2 years.

Kind of claimTime to sue
Written contract6 years
Oral (spoken) agreement6 years
Damage to property6 years
Personal injury2 years

Law: Ala. Code 6-2-34(2), (4), (9); 6-2-37(1); 6-2-38(l); 7-2-725

After the hearing: appeals and collecting

Who can appeal
Either side can appeal.
Kind of appeal
A new trial in a higher court
Deadline
File a notice of appeal with the clerk within 14 days from the date of the judgment (or denial of a post-trial motion, if later), with a bond, cash, or an approved affidavit of substantial hardship. The appeal is a trial de novo in circuit court.
Collecting the money
The court does not collect for you. The winner may file a process of garnishment (wages or bank account, form C-21) or a writ of execution on property (form C-20), each with a fee; a certificate of judgment can be recorded in probate court. County clerks state judgments last up to ten years; a judgment cannot be revived after 20 years.

Good to know in Alabama

  • Unlawful detainer (eviction) cases are not handled under the small claims rules.
  • Retirement, disability, welfare, child support, unemployment and Social Security payments cannot be garnished (county clerk pages).
  • Defendant has 14 days after service to answer (Bullock County page).

Official help and forms

Sources

Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.

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