Middlesex County Small Claims Court
How to file a small claims case in Middlesex County, MA. Courthouse locations, hours, fees, and filing options for the Cambridge area.
Small claims in Massachusetts — the numbers for Middlesex County courts
$7,000
maximum claim
from $40
filing fee (published, varies by claim)
3–6 yrs
filing deadline by claim type
Yes
e-filing accepted
Published court information — verify before acting. See the full Massachusetts small claims guide · The form that starts a case: every field explained.
Middlesex County has 11 independent courts
How to choose: Middlesex County small claims venue is determined by town of party residence or place of business. CRITICAL: Per Rule 2 of the Uniform Small Claims Rules, plaintiffs may file in ANY district where EITHER party lives or has a place of business. This creates strategic venue flexibility — given the concentration of corporate offices in Cambridge, Burlington, and Waltham, plaintiffs may often choose between multiple valid Middlesex divisions.
All Courts in Middlesex County
Ayer District Court
25 East Main Street
Ayer, MA 01432
Serves: Ashby, Ayer, Boxborough, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, Westford. Also serves the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone.
Cambridge District Court
4040 Mystic Valley Parkway
Medford, MA 02155
Serves: Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge
Concord District Court
305 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742
Serves: Acton, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Stow
Framingham District Court
600 Concord Street
Framingham, MA 01701
Serves: Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sherborn, Sudbury, Wayland
Lowell District Court
370 Jackson Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Serves: Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough
Malden District Court
4040 Mystic Valley Parkway
Medford, MA 02155
Serves: Everett, Malden, Melrose, Wakefield
Marlborough District Court
45 Williams Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Serves: Hudson, Marlborough
Newton District Court
1309 Washington Street
West Newton, MA 02465
Serves: Newton
Somerville District Court
175 Fellsway
Somerville, MA 02145
Serves: Medford, Somerville
Waltham District Court
38 Linden Street
Waltham, MA 02452
Serves: Waltham, Watertown, Weston
Woburn District Court
30 Pleasant Street
Woburn, MA 01801
Serves: Burlington, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn
How to File in Middlesex County
E-filing available
This county accepts electronic filing for small claims cases.
File in person
Bring your completed forms to the courthouse clerk during business hours. Pay the filing fee by cash, check, or credit card.
File by mail
Most small claims courts accept filing by mail — check with this courthouse first. Typically you mail your completed forms with the filing fee (check or money order) plus a self-addressed stamped envelope for your returned copies.
Important for Middlesex County: Presiding Officer: Clerk-Magistrate (typically attorneys appointed for this purpose) | Trial Format: Bench hearing before Clerk-Magistrate (no jury at original small claims hearing) | Case Initiation Form: Statement of Small Claim and Notice — REQUIRES separate Statement of Damages | Statement Of Damages Requirement: Filers must submit a Statement of Damages SEPARATELY from the Statement of Small Claim form. Important note from Middlesex e-filing guidance: Statement of Damages must be uploaded as a separate LEAD DOCUMENT in eFileMA — combining it with the Statement of Small Claim is a common pro se error. | Service Method Default: First-Class Mail handled by court clerk — cost included in filing fee. Constable/Sheriff backup if mail fails. | Default Judgment Special Rule: If properly-served defendant fails to appear, plaintiff must still PROVE 'liquidated' damages to receive judgment from Clerk-Magistrate. | Appeal Rights One Way: MASSACHUSETTS HAS A ONE-WAY APPEAL RULE per M.G.L. c. 218 § 23. Defendants who lose at small claims can appeal for trial de novo before a 6-person jury. PLAINTIFFS WHO LOSE CANNOT APPEAL — by choosing small claims venue, plaintiffs WAIVE appeal rights. | Appeal Jury Trial Note: Defendant appeal triggers a 6-person jury trial de novo at the District Court level — original Clerk-Magistrate findings are completely set aside on appeal.
Ready to get your money back?
A demand letter often settles disputes before a case is ever filed — and it only takes a few minutes.
Read the demand letter guideSmall claims rules in Massachusetts
How much you can sue for
Individuals can sue for up to $7,000.
Businesses with more than 5 employees cannot file in small claims for consumer transactions
Deadline to file (statute of limitations)
6 yrs written contract · 6 yrs oral contract · 3 yrs property damage · 3 yrs personal injury
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Middlesex County?
Filing fees in Massachusetts are set by the state and run from $40 to $150, depending on how much you're claiming. If you can't afford the fee, Massachusetts offers a fee waiver — ask the clerk how to apply. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the court clerk before you file.
What's the most I can sue for in Middlesex County?
Small claims cases in Middlesex County are limited to $7,000. If your claim is worth more than that, you either have to bring it in a different court or give up the amount above the limit to stay in small claims. The clerk can confirm which court fits your claim.
Can I file online in Middlesex County?
Yes — electronic filing is available for small claims in Middlesex County. You can also file in person or by mail. The clerk's office can tell you which option is fastest for your case.
Do I have to have a lawyer to file in Middlesex County?
Small claims court is built for people representing themselves, and most filers do exactly that. Whether an attorney may appear varies by state — the state guide linked on this page covers the rule where you are, and the clerk can confirm it.
Answers reflect published court data. Court rules and fees change — the clerk is always the authoritative source.