New York Small Claims

Small claims in New York refer to modest, money-only disputes. New York has its own rules, limits, and filing procedures for conducting small claims cases in court. Every consumer, tenant, landlord, tradesperson, and small business must learn New York’s framework to recover money efficiently, without the aid of a lawyer.

What Is a Small Claims Court in New York?

Small claims is a quick, informal process for money damages only (the court cannot order someone to perform an act or return property). In New York, small claims are heard in the Civil Court of the City of New York (NYC), City Courts outside NYC, and Town/Village Justice Courts, under simplified statutes and court rules.

Some cases, including unpaid loans or invoices, security-deposit disputes, simple contract/workmanship claims, and minor property damage, may be filed in the small claims court.

Self-representation is common, and the court system provides plain-English guides for both regular small claims (individuals suing) and commercial small claims (business claimants).

Small Claims Court Limits in New York

The Civil Court of the City of New York (NYC) allows individuals or businesses to recover funds up to $10,000.For residents outside NYC, they may file small claims cases with amounts up to $5,000 in the City Courts. For small claims cases in the Town/Village Courts, the monetary limit is $3,000. Commercial small claims (business claimants) generally mirror the same caps ($10,000 in NYC, $5,000 in other City Courts), with added filing requirements for businesses.

Individuals can file small claims cases where the defendant lives or does business (or, in some situations, where the transaction occurred). NYC filings are carried out at the county/borough level. They can only sue for money in small claims court.

How to File a Small Claims Case in New York

For small claims, the plaintiff or claimant must:

• Be a person who is 18 or older
• Fill out a court form that explains your claim
• Pay a court fee (between $10 and $20)

For commercial small claims, the organization must:

• Be a corporation, association, partnership, LLC, or assignee
• Pay a court fee ($25 per claim, plus postage costs)
• Send a demand letter first for consumer transactions
• Start the case in a City Court (not in a Town or Village Court)

Then, proceed to obtain all necessary forms to file the case. For NYC, complete a Statement of Claim and file it with the Small Claims Clerk (in person or by mail). Outside NYC, the individual may use the local court’s small-claims form, which is available online or in person at the clerk’s office.

Pay the filing fee, which varies by court and claim size. Commercial small claims in NYC carry a $25 filing fee plus postage.

A hallmark of New York small claims is that the clerk usually sends notice to the defendant (the person being sued) by regular mail and certified mail. If both are returned or one is returned, the court will inform the plaintiff about how to complete service (like personal service). It is preferable to list the current address of the defendant.

The parties may hire a lawyer, but most people appear pro se. Trials are typically judge-only in small claims; a party seeking a jury must follow procedures that transfer the case to the regular civil part and pay the required fees. Every county in the state of New York has a community dispute resolution center that offers mediation for free. If no settlement agreement is reached, the matter proceeds to trial.

Small Claims Court in Major New York Cities

Common examples are listed below:

• New York City (all five boroughs): Individuals may file small claims cases at the NYC Civil Court. The court offers a Virtual Help Center to the public.
• Long Island & Lower Hudson Valley: Individuals must file their small claims at the City Court (for cities like White Plains and Yonkers) or Town/Village Courts for smaller municipalities.
• Upstate cities (Such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse): Individuals may file small claims in the City Court for residents/businesses or the Town/Village Court for individuals.

What to Expect at a Small Claims Hearing in New York

In New York, small claims hearings are informal in the presence of a judge (NYC often uses trained arbitrators if both sides consent to a faster hearing). Parties must bring their evidence, which may include contracts, receipts, photos, text/email printouts, repair estimates, and any witnesses.

If the defendant was appropriately notified but failed to appear, the plaintiff may obtain a default judgment. The judge (or arbitrator) may decide the matter on the spot or by mail shortly after.

A party that loses its case may appeal the matter within 30 days from service of the judgment with notice of entry. Appeals do not automatically stop enforcement of the judgment; they only pause collection.

How to Search for Small Claims Records in New York

Most small-claims case information is public unless sealed by law or order. Record seekers may expect to see case numbers, parties, docket events, hearing dates, and judgments from the court records. They may access small claims records in the State of New York through:

• eCourts – The New York State Unified Court System provides an official WebCivil Local platform where individuals may search court records (NYC Civil Court and many City Courts). An individual may search this platform through the party names or index number and, in some courts, sign up for tracking alerts.
• Clerk of the Court. For certified copies or documents not found online, individuals may request them from the local court clerk (Civil Court in NYC; City/Town/Village Court).
• Third-party tools. Individuals may contact reputable organizations or websites that compile court records across several counties in the state. This is an unofficial source, and users should be careful with the information.