Small claims court in Wyoming (2026)
In Wyoming you can sue for up to $6,000 in small claims. Court: Circuit Court (small claims). Lawyers: allowed. Appeal: either side, 30 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 10 years to sue. Last checked .
Wyoming small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $6,000
- Court
- Circuit Court (small claims)
- Filing fee
- $10
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Appeal
- Either side, 30 days
- Ask for payment first
- Required
Can you sue in Wyoming small claims?
Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Wyoming small claims limit
$6,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Civil claims up to $6,000, not counting costs. The Department of Revenue may consolidate tax claims against one taxpayer.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
10 years for this kind of claim in Wyoming. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Written contracts: 10 years. Unwritten contracts: 8 years. Taking, detaining or injuring personal property, and trespass on real property: 4 years. Injury to rights not arising on contract (including personal injury): 4 years.
Lawyers: Lawyers may represent either side.
Before you file: Yes. The plaintiff's affidavit must state that demand has been made and payment refused; the court's instructions say you do not qualify for small claims if you cannot honestly state this.
Appeal: Appeals go to district court under the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure, only on questions of law, not to review the sufficiency of evidence. File the notice of appeal with the circuit court clerk within 30 days from entry of the appealable order. Fees: $100 circuit court appellate filing and docketing fee (Rule 8, effective July 1, 2024) plus $20 for preparing the record on appeal, paid when the notice is filed.
Filing fee: The filing fee for a small claims action is $10 in all circuit courts. Sheriff or process server service fees and copy charges 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. Small claims cases are filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court. A defendant may be sued in the county where the defendant has an address or where the claim, or part of it, arose.
- Limit. Civil claims up to $6,000, not counting costs. The Department of Revenue may consolidate tax claims against one taxpayer.
- Filing fee. The filing fee for a small claims action is $10 in all circuit courts. Sheriff or process server service fees and copy charges are extra.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- The state, governmental entities, individuals, corporations, partnerships and other organizations may appear for themselves in person or through authorized employees, with or without an attorney. If one side brings an attorney, the other side is entitled to a continuance to get one. Official sources found do not address assignees.
- Before you file. Yes. The plaintiff's affidavit must state that demand has been made and payment refused; the court's instructions say you do not qualify for small claims if you cannot honestly state this.
- Jury and moving the case. No jury. The Wyoming Judicial Branch's small claims page says the case is heard by a judge and 'there is no jury.' The Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure and the Circuit Court civil rules do not govern small claims proceedings.
How long you have to sue in Wyoming
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Written contracts: 10 years. Unwritten contracts: 8 years. Taking, detaining or injuring personal property, and trespass on real property: 4 years. Injury to rights not arising on contract (including personal injury): 4 years.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 8 years |
| Damage to property | 4 years |
| Personal injury | 4 years |
Law: W.S. 1-3-105(a)(i), (ii), (iv)
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- Review of the record (no new trial)
- Deadline
- Appeals go to district court under the Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure, only on questions of law, not to review the sufficiency of evidence. File the notice of appeal with the circuit court clerk within 30 days from entry of the appealable order. Fees: $100 circuit court appellate filing and docketing fee (Rule 8, effective July 1, 2024) plus $20 for preparing the record on appeal, paid when the notice is filed.
- Collecting the money
- No prejudgment attachment or garnishment, but execution and post-judgment garnishment may issue as in circuit court. Execution may be issued within 5 years of entry of the judgment or of the last execution.
Good to know in Wyoming
- The defendant's appearance date must be 12 to 20 days after service of the summons.
- No answer or responsive pleading is required; strict rules of evidence do not apply.
- Service may be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, if the defendant lives in Wyoming.
Official help and forms
- Wyoming courts: small claims self-help
- Wyoming small claims forms
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- Wyoming Statutes Title 1 (incl. W.S. 1-21-201 to 1-21-205, 1-21-501, 1-3-105) (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Rules and Forms Governing Small Claims Cases (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Judicial Branch - SC Form 01a Instructions for Small Claims Affidavit (Nov. 2024) (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Rules for Fees and Costs for Circuit Courts (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure for Circuit Courts (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Judicial Branch - Self-Help Forms (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Judicial Branch - Circuit Courts (read October 18, 2026)
- Wyoming Judicial Branch - Small Claims (legal help by topic) (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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