Small claims court in District of Columbia (2026)
In District of Columbia you can sue for up to $10,000 in small claims. Court: Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, Civil Division, D.C. Superior Court. Lawyers: allowed. Appeal: either side, 14 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 3 years to sue. Last checked .
District of Columbia small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000
- Court
- Small Claims and Conciliation Branch, Civil Division, D.C. Superior Court
- Filing fee
- $5–$45
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Appeal
- Either side, 14 days
Can you sue in District of Columbia small claims?
Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
District of Columbia small claims limit
$10,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Money-only claims up to $10,000, not counting interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs; the branch has exclusive jurisdiction of these claims. No claims affecting an interest in real property, and no orders to do or stop doing something. Counterclaims are not limited to $10,000.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
3 years for this kind of claim in District of Columbia. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Simple contracts, express or implied (written or oral): 3 years; instruments under seal: 12 years. Injury to real or personal property: 3 years. Personal injury falls under the 3-year catch-all; assault, battery, libel and slander: 1 year. Sale of goods follows D.C. Code 28:2-725.
Lawyers: Lawyers may represent either side.
Appeal: From a magistrate judge's decision, file a Motion for Judicial Review within 14 calendar days from entry of judgment; an associate judge reviews it without new evidence. From an associate judge's decision, file an Application for Allowance of Appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals within 3 business days of the docketing of the order ($10 fee; $40 more if the application is granted); the Court of Appeals grants such applications at its discretion.
Filing fee: $5 for claims of $500 or less; $10 for $500.01-$2,500; $45 for $2,500.01-$10,000. Counterclaim $10; jury demand $75. Fee waivers 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.
All District of Columbia small claims rules →Write a demand letter →
Where to file and how much
- Court. One branch of the D.C. Superior Court hears all money-only claims of $10,000 or less, usually before a magistrate judge. The defendant must live, do business, or have qualifying contacts in the District.
- Limit. Money-only claims up to $10,000, not counting interest, attorney fees, protest fees and costs; the branch has exclusive jurisdiction of these claims. No claims affecting an interest in real property, and no orders to do or stop doing something. Counterclaims are not limited to $10,000. (in force since December 14, 2016)
- Filing fee. $5 for claims of $500 or less; $10 for $500.01-$2,500; $45 for $2,500.01-$10,000. Counterclaim $10; jury demand $75. Fee waivers are available.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Individuals may represent themselves or use a D.C. Bar lawyer. A corporation or partnership may sue only through a D.C. Bar member; as a defendant it may appear through an authorized officer, director or employee. Debt buyers may sue but must identify the original creditor and state they are the successor in interest.
- A corporation or LLC must appear through a lawyer in District of Columbia small claims.
- Before you file. The official sources reviewed do not require a demand for payment before filing. Collection cases (credit card, medical, loan) and subrogation cases have extra pleading requirements.
- Jury and moving the case. Either side may demand a jury in writing at or before the first court date ($75 fee; a defendant must also file a verified answer). The case is then certified to the Civil Actions Branch for trial by an associate judge.
How long you have to sue in District of Columbia
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Simple contracts, express or implied (written or oral): 3 years; instruments under seal: 12 years. Injury to real or personal property: 3 years. Personal injury falls under the 3-year catch-all; assault, battery, libel and slander: 1 year. Sale of goods follows D.C. Code 28:2-725.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 3 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 3 years |
| Damage to property | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
Law: D.C. Code 12-301(a)(3), (4), (6), (7), (8)
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- Review of the record (no new trial)
- Deadline
- From a magistrate judge's decision, file a Motion for Judicial Review within 14 calendar days from entry of judgment; an associate judge reviews it without new evidence. From an associate judge's decision, file an Application for Allowance of Appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals within 3 business days of the docketing of the order ($10 fee; $40 more if the application is granted); the Court of Appeals grants such applications at its discretion.
- Collecting the money
- If the loser does not pay, the winner can file a Writ of Attachment to garnish wages (only from D.C.-based or federal employers) or hold funds in a D.C. bank branch, or a writ of fieri facias against property. A judgment recorded with the D.C. Recorder of Deeds is enforceable for 12 years.
Good to know in District of Columbia
- All parties are required to go to court-ordered mediation, usually remote, before trial.
- Defendants usually do not need to file a written answer, except to demand a jury or file a counterclaim.
- The Statement of Claim should be notarized or verified by a clerk with photo ID.
- Saturday services moved to the Moultrie Courthouse effective Sept. 6, 2025.
Official help and forms
- District of Columbia courts: small claims self-help
- District of Columbia small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- D.C. Code 11-1321 (Council of the District of Columbia) (read October 18, 2026)
- D.C. Code 11-721 (read October 18, 2026)
- D.C. Code 12-301 (read October 18, 2026)
- D.C. Code 15-101 (read October 18, 2026)
- Superior Court Rules of Procedure for the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch (read October 18, 2026)
- Superior Court Civil Rule 202 (Fees) (read October 18, 2026)
- Small Claims (DC Courts, Civil Division) (read October 18, 2026)
- 2026 Small Claims Handbook (DC Courts) (read October 18, 2026)
- Representing Yourself in a Small Claims Appeal (D.C. Court of Appeals) (read October 18, 2026)
Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.
More for District of Columbia
- BenefitsSNAP income limitsGross income limit: 200% of the federal poverty line
- RentingSecurity depositsDeposit back within: 45 days after the tenancy terminates
- RentingBreaking a leaseTenant notice (month-to-month): Varies (see rule)
- RentingEviction noticesUnpaid rent notice: 10 days (pay or move out)
- RentingRepairsTime to repair: A reasonable time
- RentingRent increasesNotice before a rent increase: 61 days
- UnemploymentUnemployment benefitsWeekly benefit: $50–$444, up to 26 weeks
- Cost of livingChildcare costsCounties with prices: 1