Small claims court in Arizona (2026)
In Arizona you can sue for up to $5,000 in small claims. Court: Small claims division of the Justice Court. Lawyers: limited. Appeal: no appeal. For a broken written agreement you generally have 6 years to sue. Last checked .
Arizona small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000
- Court
- Small claims division of the Justice Court
- Filing fee
- $30
- Lawyers
- Limited
- Appeal
- No appeal
Can you sue in Arizona small claims?
Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Arizona small claims limit
$5,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs; counterclaims are capped at $5,000 too. Claims over $5,000 and under $10,000 go to the justice court civil division. The limit was raised from $3,500 by SB 1022 (Laws 2025, ch. 94), effective September 26, 2025. Not available for libel/slander, evictions, specific performance, injunctions, class actions, prejudgment remedies, or suits against the state or its subdivisions.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
6 years for this kind of claim in Arizona. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Debt on a written contract executed in Arizona (or a credit card): 6 years. Debt not in writing, and stated or open accounts: 3 years. Personal injury and trespass injury to property: 2 years. Sale of goods (UCC): 4 years.
Lawyers: Lawyers can take part only in limited cases.
Collectors: a company that bought or was assigned the debt can't use small claims court in Arizona.
Appeal: There is no appeal; the decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace is final and binding on both parties. To keep appeal rights a party must transfer the case to justice court at least 10 days before the hearing.
Filing fee: Statewide justice court schedule: $30 to file a small claim, $18 to answer, $8 for service by mail (effective December 28, 2024, AO 2024-211). The schedule says to check with the specific court for additional local fees. Fee waivers or deferrals are available.
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.
Where to file and how much
- Court. Every justice court has a small claims division, heard by a justice of the peace or a hearing officer. File in the justice court precinct where the defendant lives, or as otherwise allowed by A.R.S. 22-202.
- Limit. Up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs; counterclaims are capped at $5,000 too. Claims over $5,000 and under $10,000 go to the justice court civil division. The limit was raised from $3,500 by SB 1022 (Laws 2025, ch. 94), effective September 26, 2025. Not available for libel/slander, evictions, specific performance, injunctions, class actions, prejudgment remedies, or suits against the state or its subdivisions. (in force since September 26, 2025)
- Filing fee. Statewide justice court schedule: $30 to file a small claim, $18 to answer, $8 for service by mail (effective December 28, 2024, AO 2024-211). The schedule says to check with the specific court for additional local fees. Fee waivers or deferrals are available.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Individuals represent themselves. A corporation appears through a full-time officer or authorized employee; a partnership through a general partner or authorized full-time employee. Lawyers may not take part unless both sides agree in writing. An assignee or other person not a party to the original transaction may not file a small claim.
- A collection agency or anyone who was assigned or bought the claim can't file it in small claims.
- 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. Any party may have the case transferred to the regular justice court civil division by objecting at least 10 days before the hearing; this preserves the right to a jury or an appeal.
How long you have to sue in Arizona
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Debt on a written contract executed in Arizona (or a credit card): 6 years. Debt not in writing, and stated or open accounts: 3 years. Personal injury and trespass injury to property: 2 years. Sale of goods (UCC): 4 years.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 3 years |
| Damage to property | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
Law: A.R.S. 12-548; 12-543; 12-542; 47-2725
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Neither side can appeal a small claims judgment.
- Deadline
- There is no appeal; the decision of the hearing officer or justice of the peace is final and binding on both parties. To keep appeal rights a party must transfer the case to justice court at least 10 days before the hearing.
- Collecting the money
- The judgment is due immediately and is collected under the justice court procedures (A.R.S. 22-243 to 22-246), such as writs of execution and garnishment. A writ may issue within 10 years after entry of the judgment, and the judgment can be renewed. After judgment a party may hire a lawyer to enforce it, and the winner may assign the judgment to a person licensed in Arizona to collect debts, who may appear only to enforce it.
Good to know in Arizona
- The complaint form must warn that there is no right of appeal in small claims (A.R.S. 22-504(B)).
- A defendant may counterclaim within 20 days of service; a counterclaim over $5,000 moves the case to the justice court civil division.
- The judgment must be issued within 10 days after the hearing closes (A.R.S. 22-520(A)).
- Some 2024 and earlier county guides still show the old $3,500 limit.
Official help and forms
- Arizona courts: small claims self-help
- Arizona small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- A.R.S. 22-503 Jurisdiction (Arizona Legislature) (read October 18, 2026)
- A.R.S. 22-504 Transfer to justice court (read October 18, 2026)
- A.R.S. 22-512 Parties; representation (read October 18, 2026)
- A.R.S. 22-519 Appeals (read October 18, 2026)
- A.R.S. 22-520 Recording judgment (read October 18, 2026)
- SB 1022 (2025) House fact sheet, signed, ch. 94 (read October 18, 2026)
- Justice Court Filing Fees (Arizona Judicial Branch) (read October 18, 2026)
- Small Claims FAQ (Arizona Courts Legal Info Hub) (read October 18, 2026)
- A.R.S. 12-542, 12-543, 12-548, 12-1551, 47-2725 (read October 18, 2026)
- Official source (verifier) (read October 18, 2026)
- Official source (verifier) (read October 18, 2026)
Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.
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