Small claims court in New Hampshire (2026)
In New Hampshire you can sue for up to $10,000 in small claims. Court: Circuit Court - District Division (small claims). Lawyers: allowed. Appeal: either side, 30 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 3 years to sue. Last checked .
New Hampshire small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000
- Court
- Circuit Court - District Division (small claims)
- Filing fee
- $125–$180
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Appeal
- Either side, 30 days
- Ask for payment first
- Not required by law
Can you sue in New Hampshire small claims?
Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
New Hampshire small claims limit
$10,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Claims up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs, that do not involve title to real estate. The same limit applies to businesses. Filing a small claim for more than $10,000 waives the excess.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
3 years for this kind of claim in New Hampshire. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Most personal actions (written or oral contracts, property damage, personal injury) must be brought within 3 years of the act, or within 3 years of when the injury was or should have been discovered. Contracts under seal and actions on judgments: 20 years.
Lawyers: Lawyers may represent either side.
Before you file: No demand before filing is required by statute or rule. The Judicial Branch encourages parties to try to work out an agreement or use mediation before trial.
Appeal: Any party may appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court within 30 days of the rendition of judgment or the clerk's notice of judgment, whichever is later. The judge's findings of fact are final; only questions of law go to the Supreme Court. A party may ask at least 5 business days before trial for a sound recording to use on appeal.
Filing fee: Statewide entry fee: $105 for claims of $5,000 or less and $160 for claims of $5,001 to $10,000, plus a $20 electronic filing surcharge on each (so $125 or $180). Counterclaims pay the same fees. The small claims transfer fee (to superior court for a jury) is $145. A motion for periodic payments costs $25. The small claims filing fee is not waived except on facts showing extraordinary circumstances.
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 New Hampshire small claims rules →Write a demand letter →
Where to file and how much
- Court. Small claims are filed in the District Division of the Circuit Court where either the plaintiff or the defendant lives. If the defendant lives out of state, you may file where the defendant does business, made a contract, committed a tort, or owns or uses property. E-filing is mandatory (TurboCourt for self-represented parties).
- Limit. Claims up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs, that do not involve title to real estate. The same limit applies to businesses. Filing a small claim for more than $10,000 waives the excess. (in force since July 1, 2015)
- Filing fee. Statewide entry fee: $105 for claims of $5,000 or less and $160 for claims of $5,001 to $10,000, plus a $20 electronic filing surcharge on each (so $125 or $180). Counterclaims pay the same fees. The small claims transfer fee (to superior court for a jury) is $145. A motion for periodic payments costs $25. The small claims filing fee is not waived except on facts showing extraordinary circumstances.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Parties may appear themselves or through an attorney, who must file an appearance at least 7 days before the hearing. A corporation, partnership, LLC or trust may be represented by a non-attorney officer, employee, partner, owner or trustee who presents a signed, acknowledged written authorization. Assignees may sue; a consumer-debt plaintiff that is not the original creditor must list all prior owners of the claim.
- Before you file. No demand before filing is required by statute or rule. The Judicial Branch encourages parties to try to work out an agreement or use mediation before trial.
- Jury and moving the case. No jury in small claims itself. When the claim is over $1,500, the defendant may request a jury trial in writing within 5 business days of filing (or with a timely response), and the case is transferred to the county Superior Court; the defendant pays the $145 transfer fee. A plaintiff facing a counterclaim over $1,500 may do the same within 14 days.
How long you have to sue in New Hampshire
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Most personal actions (written or oral contracts, property damage, personal injury) must be brought within 3 years of the act, or within 3 years of when the injury was or should have been discovered. Contracts under seal and actions on judgments: 20 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: RSA 508:4(I), 508:5
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- Review of the record (no new trial)
- Deadline
- Any party may appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court within 30 days of the rendition of judgment or the clerk's notice of judgment, whichever is later. The judge's findings of fact are final; only questions of law go to the Supreme Court. A party may ask at least 5 business days before trial for a sound recording to use on appeal.
- Collecting the money
- After judgment, the plaintiff may file a Motion for Periodic Payments ($25); the court holds a payment hearing, the debtor completes a statement of assets, and the court may order payments, with contempt for non-payment. The plaintiff may also seek post-judgment attachment or writs of execution, and may record a certified copy of the judgment at the Registry of Deeds as a lien on real estate. Actions on judgments may be brought within 20 years.
Good to know in New Hampshire
- Claims over $5,000 must go to mediation (if no jury is claimed); the court offers mediation at the pre-trial hearing.
- Attendance at the pre-trial hearing is mandatory; missing it results in judgment for the other side.
- The court mails notice to the defendant, who has 30 days to respond; no response can lead to default judgment.
- Prejudgment attachments under RSA 511-A do not apply in small claims.
Official help and forms
- New Hampshire courts: small claims self-help
- New Hampshire small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- RSA Chapter 503 - Litigation of Small Claims (read October 18, 2026)
- RSA 508:4 - Personal Actions (read October 18, 2026)
- RSA 508:5 - Specialties (read October 18, 2026)
- NH Judicial Branch - Small Claims (District Division) (read October 18, 2026)
- NH Judicial Branch - Collection Process, Small Claims (read October 18, 2026)
- Rules of the Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims Actions (Rules 4.1-4.13) (read October 18, 2026)
- Rules of the Circuit Court, District Division (Rule 3.3 Court fees) (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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