Small claims court in Maryland (2026)
In Maryland you can sue for up to $5,000 in small claims. Court: District Court of Maryland (small claims). Lawyers: allowed. Appeal: either side, 30 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 3 years to sue. Last checked .
Maryland small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000
- Court
- District Court of Maryland (small claims)
- Filing fee
- $44
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Appeal
- Either side, 30 days
Can you sue in Maryland small claims?
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Maryland small claims limit
$5,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: A civil action for money only of $5,000 or less, not counting interest, costs and attorney's fees (if recoverable by law or contract). Claims for return of property or for a service are not small claims. Claims over $5,000 and up to $30,000 are 'large claims' in the same District Court.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
3 years for this kind of claim in Maryland. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
A civil action at law must be filed within 3 years from when it accrues unless another law sets a different time. Contracts and promissory notes under seal and other specialties: 12 years.
Lawyers: Lawyers may represent either side.
Appeal: Either party may appeal by filing an order for appeal with the District Court clerk within 30 days from the date of the final judgment. Appeals in cases of $5,000 or less are tried de novo in the circuit court (unless the parties agree to an on-the-record appeal).
Filing fee: Statewide $44 to file a new small claims contract or tort suit (includes state surcharges); counterclaims, cross claims and third-party claims are $18. Service is extra (for example by sheriff or constable, or certified mail by the clerk). 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.
Where to file and how much
- Court. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over small claims. In most cases you file in the District Court in the county where the defendant lives, works or carries on regular business.
- Limit. A civil action for money only of $5,000 or less, not counting interest, costs and attorney's fees (if recoverable by law or contract). Claims for return of property or for a service are not small claims. Claims over $5,000 and up to $30,000 are 'large claims' in the same District Court.
- Filing fee. Statewide $44 to file a new small claims contract or tort suit (includes state surcharges); counterclaims, cross claims and third-party claims are $18. Service is extra (for example by sheriff or constable, or certified mail by the clerk). Fee waivers are available.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Anyone may use a lawyer but none is required. A corporation, partnership, LLC or sole proprietorship may appear through an officer, partner, member or a designated employee (with a sworn power of attorney) on a claim within the small claims limit, but not when the claim was assigned to the business by someone else.
- Before you file. No pre-filing demand is required by statute. The court's small claims brochure suggests writing a demand letter or trying mediation before filing.
- Jury and moving the case. No jury trial may be demanded in a civil case of $25,000 or less, so small claims are decided by a judge.
How long you have to sue in Maryland
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. A civil action at law must be filed within 3 years from when it accrues unless another law sets a different time. Contracts and promissory notes under seal and other specialties: 12 years.
| 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: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§5-101, 5-102(a)
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- A new trial in a higher court
- Deadline
- Either party may appeal by filing an order for appeal with the District Court clerk within 30 days from the date of the final judgment. Appeals in cases of $5,000 or less are tried de novo in the circuit court (unless the parties agree to an on-the-record appeal).
- Collecting the money
- The court does not collect for you. A winning plaintiff can ask the court to garnish the debtor's wages or bank account, seize property, or record a lien. A judgment is a specialty with a 12-year limit and can be renewed.
Good to know in Maryland
- No discovery is allowed in small claims, including post-judgment discovery.
- Trial is normally set within about 60 days of filing.
- The District Court runs a free mediation (ADR) program.
- The defendant must file a Notice of Intention to Defend to contest the claim; otherwise the plaintiff may get an affidavit or default judgment (military-status affidavit required).
Official help and forms
- Maryland courts: small claims self-help
- Maryland small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-405 Small claim action (read October 18, 2026)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-401 District Court civil jurisdiction (read October 18, 2026)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §4-402 Jury demand limits (read October 18, 2026)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §12-401 Appeals from District Court (read October 18, 2026)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 Three years (read October 18, 2026)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-102 Specialties (12 years) (read October 18, 2026)
- Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. §10-206 Practice of law exceptions (read October 18, 2026)
- District Court of Maryland Cost Schedule DCA-109 (Rev. 03/2026) (read October 18, 2026)
- Maryland Courts, Small Claims (read October 18, 2026)
- District Court of Maryland, How to File a Small Claim (DC-CV-001BR) (read October 18, 2026)
- Maryland Courts, Collecting a Judgment (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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