Wake County Small Claims Court
How to file a small claims case in Wake County, NC. Courthouse locations, hours, fees, and filing options for the Raleigh area.
E-Filing
✓ Available
File your claim online — no trip to file
Max Claim
$10,000
Courts (2)
2 courthouses
Main Courthouse
Wake County Justice Center (Clerk's Office)
300 S. Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
Other Courthouse Locations
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
Serves: Wake County
How to File in Wake 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 Wake County: Small claims cases are heard by a magistrate without a jury. Appeals must be filed within 10 days of judgment for trial de novo in District Court. All Wake County small claims filing is centralized in downtown Raleigh — NO satellite courts in Apex, Cary, or other municipalities.
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 guideFor statewide rules including filing limits, statutes of limitations, and court procedures, see the full North Carolina small claims court guide →