Small claims court in Washington (2026)
In Washington you can sue for up to $10,000 ($5,000 for a business) in small claims. Court: Small claims department of the District Court. Lawyers: limited. Appeal: either side, 30 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 6 years to sue. Last checked .
Washington small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 ($5,000 for a business)
- Court
- Small claims department of the District Court
- Filing fee
- $35–$50
- Lawyers
- Limited
- Appeal
- Either side, 30 days
Can you sue in Washington small claims?
Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Washington small claims limit
$10,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Money only. Up to $10,000 when the plaintiff is a natural person (a human being); up to $5,000 in all other cases, such as businesses. The State of Washington may not be sued in small claims. After judgment, costs, post-judgment interest and enforcement costs are added without regard to the limit.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
6 years for this kind of claim in Washington. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Written contracts and accounts receivable: 6 years. Oral contracts: 3 years. Injury to personal property, waste or trespass on real property, and injury to the person: 3 years. Fraud: 3 years from discovery.
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 Washington.
Appeal: No appeal if the amount claimed was under $250. A party who brought the claim (or counterclaim) may appeal only if it asked for $1,000 or more (statute: no appeal where the amount claimed was less than $1,000). Within 30 days after judgment: file a notice of appeal in district court, pay the superior court filing fee, post a bond of twice the judgment and costs or twice the amount in controversy (whichever is greater), and serve all parties. The superior court hears it de novo on the district court record.
Filing fee: Filing fee is $35 plus any county surcharge of up to $15 for dispute resolution centers, so $35 or $50 depending on the county. A counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party claim carries the same fee. Service costs are extra.
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 district court has a small claims department. In general, file in the district court of the county where the defendant lives; injury and property-damage claims may also be filed where the claim arose (see RCW 3.66.040).
- Limit. Money only. Up to $10,000 when the plaintiff is a natural person (a human being); up to $5,000 in all other cases, such as businesses. The State of Washington may not be sued in small claims. After judgment, costs, post-judgment interest and enforcement costs are added without regard to the limit.
- Filing fee. Filing fee is $35 plus any county surcharge of up to $15 for dispute resolution centers, so $35 or $50 depending on the county. A counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party claim carries the same fee. Service costs are extra.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- No attorney, legal paraprofessional or other person may take part for a party without the judge's consent; a corporation may not be represented by an attorney (except in cases transferred from district court). Claims must be verified by the real claimant, and an assignee of a claim may not file in small claims.
- A collection agency or anyone who was assigned or bought the claim can't file it in small claims.
- Before you file. RCW 12.40 and the court brochure do not require a demand for payment before filing.
- Jury and moving the case. No jury in small claims; the judge decides informally. A defendant cannot remove the case to superior court as a right, even by filing a larger counterclaim; a larger claim can be filed separately in superior court.
How long you have to sue in Washington
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Written contracts and accounts receivable: 6 years. Oral contracts: 3 years. Injury to personal property, waste or trespass on real property, and injury to the person: 3 years. Fraud: 3 years from discovery.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 3 years |
| Damage to property | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
Law: RCW 4.16.040(1), (2); RCW 4.16.080(1)-(4)
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- Review of the record (no new trial)
- Deadline
- No appeal if the amount claimed was under $250. A party who brought the claim (or counterclaim) may appeal only if it asked for $1,000 or more (statute: no appeal where the amount claimed was less than $1,000). Within 30 days after judgment: file a notice of appeal in district court, pay the superior court filing fee, post a bond of twice the judgment and costs or twice the amount in controversy (whichever is greater), and serve all parties. The superior court hears it de novo on the district court record.
- Collecting the money
- The judgment becomes a district court civil judgment. If not paid within 30 days, garnishment of wages or bank accounts, execution and other process may issue, and the winner may file a transcript in superior court for its lien docket. The court may order a payment plan; the court does not collect for you.
Good to know in Washington
- The Notice of Small Claim must be served at least 10 calendar days before the first hearing, by personal service (not by the plaintiff) or by registered/certified mail with a signed return receipt.
- Some courts suggest or require mediation before trial.
- Appeal costs per the AOC brochure include a $20 transcript fee, the $280 superior court filing fee and a $40 appeal preparation fee.
Official help and forms
- Washington courts: small claims self-help
- Washington small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- RCW chapter 12.40 (Small Claims) (read October 18, 2026)
- RCW chapter 12.36 (Small Claims Appeals) (read October 18, 2026)
- RCW 7.75.035 (read October 18, 2026)
- RCW 3.66.040 (read October 18, 2026)
- RCW 4.16.040 (read October 18, 2026)
- RCW 4.16.080 (read October 18, 2026)
- Washington Courts - Small Claims Court (read October 18, 2026)
- AOC - An Introduction to Small Claims Court (updated Oct. 2025) (read October 18, 2026)
- Washington Courts - Small Claims forms (read October 18, 2026)
- RCW 12.40.120 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.
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