Small claims court in Minnesota (2026)

Minnesota small claims at a glance

Most you can sue for

$20,000

Court

Conciliation Court (division of the District Court)

Filing fee

Set by each court

Lawyers

Limited

Appeal

Either side, 21 days

Can you sue in Minnesota small claims?

Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Where to file and how much

• Court. Every county's district court has a conciliation court. Its reach is generally limited to the county, so you usually file where the defendant lives or where a business defendant is located, with exceptions for rental property, dishonored checks, student loans, multiple defendants and foreign corporations.
• Limit. Up to $20,000 in money or property. Claims involving a consumer credit transaction (a seller or lender suing a consumer) are limited to $4,000. A plaintiff who cuts a claim to fit the limit cannot claim the rest later. No class actions, defamation, real estate title, evictions, medical malpractice or injunctions. (in force since August 1, 2024)
• Filing fee. Statewide $65 filing fee from each plaintiff and each defendant on first filing, plus a county law library fee that varies by county. The Attorney General's guide says total fees are generally between $70 and $80. Fee waiver available for people unable to pay.

Who can sue and who can speak in court

• A party may be represented by a Minnesota lawyer, but the judge decides how much the lawyer may take part. A corporation, partnership, LLC, sole proprietorship or association may appear through an officer, manager or partner, or an authorized employee (written authority must be filed or shown). A minor sues through a parent or guardian. No bar on assignees was found in the statute or rules.
• Before you file. The statute and rules do not require a demand before filing (special pre-suit notices apply only to the student loan, dishonored check and county debt venue exceptions).
• Jury and moving the case. No jury in conciliation court. A party who removes the case to district court after a contested trial may demand a jury there. A counterclaim over $20,000 sends the case to district court.

How long you have to sue in Minnesota

The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Six years for contracts (express or implied), injury to personal property, and other injuries to the person not arising on contract. Sale-of-goods contracts (UCC): 4 years. Some intentional torts have shorter periods under section 541.07.

Law: Minn. Stat. §§541.05, subd. 1(1), (4), (5); 336.2-725

After the hearing: appeals and collecting

Who can appeal

Either side can appeal.

Kind of appeal

A new trial in a higher court

Deadline

Any party aggrieved by a judgment after a contested trial may remove the case to district court for a trial de novo by serving and filing a demand for removal and paying the district court filing fee within 21 days after the court administrator sent notice of the judgment (3 days added for mail service). Default judgments cannot be removed. A removing party who does not do better by the statutory margin pays $50 extra costs. If the removing party is a corporation, its demand for removal must be signed by its attorney.

Collecting the money

Conciliation court cannot issue executions or garnishments. Once the judgment is final, the creditor transcribes (dockets) it in district court, then may use a debtor financial disclosure order, wage garnishment and bank garnishment. A judgment lasts 10 years.

Good to know in Minnesota

• Exhibits must be submitted and shared through the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System at least 3 days before trial.
• Claims over $2,500 must be served by the plaintiff by certified mail (or personal service); smaller claims are mailed by the court.
• The judge may order installment payments, with the last payment due within one year.
• The Attorney General guide still says 20 days to remove; the current Rule 521 says 21 days.

Official help and forms

• Minnesota courts: small claims self-help
• Minnesota small claims forms
• Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)

Sources

• Minn. Stat. §491A.01 Conciliation court; jurisdiction (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Stat. §491A.02 Procedure; representation; removal (read October 18, 2026)
• Laws 2024, ch. 123 (art. 15, sec. 6 raises limit to $20,000) (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Stat. §357.022 Conciliation court fee (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 512 Trial; representation (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 521 Removal (appeal) to district court (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 503 Computing time (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 518 Docketing of judgment; enforcement (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Stat. §541.05 Six-year limitation (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Stat. §541.04 Judgments, ten years (read October 18, 2026)
• Minn. Stat. §336.2-725 Contracts for sale (read October 18, 2026)
• Minnesota Attorney General, Conciliation Court: A User's Guide (read October 18, 2026)
• LawHelpMN, Conciliation Court fact sheet (C-01) (read October 18, 2026)
• Minnesota Judicial Branch, Conciliation Court (read October 18, 2026)

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