Rhode Island small claims
How to fill out Rhode Island's Small Claims Lawsuit form
Official form: DC-SC-1 — Small Claims Lawsuit / Complaint (self-represented, with instructions) · Walkthrough written against Revised January 2025 (7-page packet)
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Get the official DC-SC-1 from the court's site →Link verified 2026-07-04. If it has moved, the court's forms index and clerk's office will have the current version — verify with the court before filing.
What this form is
Rhode Island's small claims filing document is the District Court's "Small Claims Lawsuit (Self-represented Litigant)" packet — a seven-page form whose first page and last two pages are the court's own instructions, with pages 2–5 being the parts you complete. Its opening line sets the scope: use it "to file a court case for money if the amount is $5,000 or less, not including court costs," filed with the Clerk of the District Court – Small Claims Division.
The form has five labeled parts: Part 1 (Statement and Reason for Claim), Part 2 (Military Service Affidavit), Part 3 (Expert Witness), Part 4 (No Appeal), and Part 5 (Signature and Notary). The judiciary publishes it by that title on courts.ri.gov, and the footer of every page of the current packet reads "DC-SC-1 (revised January 2025)" — so DC-SC-1 is the form's own code.
Two things distinguish it from most states' forms: it must be signed in front of a notary — the form warns in bold that an unsworn claim will not be accepted and filed — and Part 4 has you acknowledge that, by statute, filing in small claims means giving up the right to appeal the judge's decision.
The form, field by field
What each part of the form asks for, in the form's own order. These are descriptions of the questions — what to answer depends on facts only you know, and the court clerk or the form's own instructions are the authoritative sources.
Part 1 — Statement and Reason for Claim
The form's own definitions open this part: the plaintiff is the person who files a court case for money; the defendant is the person or company who owes the money.
Your name, address, telephone, and email
Your identifying and contact information, in a single labeled box. The case number box beside the caption is marked "To be filled in by the court."
Name and address of your lawyer if you have one
Completed only when a lawyer represents you; self-represented filers leave it blank.
Defendant's name, address, telephone, and email — "No P.O. Box."
The defendant's identifying information. The form is explicit that a post office box is not acceptable for the defendant's address — service is delivery of the paperwork to the defendant in person, so a street address is required.
Additional plaintiffs / defendants tables
Tables for extra parties (name, address, telephone, email), used only if the case has more than one plaintiff or defendant — the instructions point multi-party filers here.
"The defendant owes me this much" — $
The amount you are claiming, which must be $5,000 or less not including court costs. The form notes that interest and court costs are addressed by the court clerk separately, so they are not built into this number.
"Briefly explain in a couple of sentences why the defendant owes you money."
A short plain-language description of the basis for the claim — the form asks for a couple of sentences, not a legal brief.
Part 2 — Military Service Affidavit
The form explains why this part exists: federal and state law (cited on the form as 50 U.S.C.A. § 3931 and G.L. 1956 § 30-7-10) protect servicemembers from judgments entered without notice and a chance to defend.
Three checkboxes, each with an explanation line
You check the one that applies: the defendant IS in the United States military service or is a national guard member on state active duty for a continuous period exceeding ninety (90) days, "because ___"; the defendant is NOT, "because ___"; or "I was unable to determine whether the defendant is in military service." The first two options require you to state the basis for your answer on the lines provided.
Part 3 — Expert Witness
"Do you plan to use an expert witness?" Yes / No
The form defines an expert witness as a person with knowledge or experience in a particular field or with a special skill, and asks whether you plan to use one — with a note that if yes, you bring the expert witness to the trial.
Part 4 — No Appeal
The no-appeal acknowledgment
Pre-printed text: "I understand that I must give up my right to an appeal." The form explains that an appeal is when another court reviews the case, and that by law a small claims filer agrees the judge's decision cannot be challenged — citing G.L. 1956 § 10-16-4(b). There is nothing to fill in; it is part of what you sign to.
Part 5 — Signature and Notary
Sworn signature before a notary
You sign under the statement "I swear that the information written in this form is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge" — and the form's boxed warning says to wait and sign only in front of a notary, because "if you fail to sign this form in front of a notary, the court will not accept and file your claim." The notary completes the acknowledgment block (state, county, date, how your identity was verified, notary signature, commission expiration, and notary ID number).
Common reasons clerks reject this form
Clerks bounce filings for mechanical, fixable reasons. These are the patterns that come up with this particular form:
- ⚠Signing the form before getting to the notary — the packet's own warning says the court will not accept and file a claim that wasn't signed in the notary's presence.
- ⚠Using a P.O. Box for the defendant's address — the form says "No P.O. Box," because the papers are served on the defendant in person.
- ⚠Checking a Part 2 military-service box without filling in the "because" line — the first two options require the basis for the answer.
- ⚠Claiming more than $5,000 — the packet's first instruction limits small claims to $5,000 or less, not including court costs.
- ⚠Filing at the wrong District Court division — the packet maps every Rhode Island city and town to one of four divisions (Newport, Warwick, Wakefield, Providence), and the case files where the defendant's location directs.
- ⚠A corporate plaintiff filing outside the packet's rules — the instructions state that a corporation with assets under $1 million files in the division where the defendant resides, and one with assets over $1 million must be represented by an attorney.
What filing costs, and where it happens
The District Court small claims filing fee is about $75 — the figure most recently listed was $75.75 with processing surcharges, and Rhode Island adjusted its small claims fees effective 2026 — and the packet's own filing step directs a self-represented filer to file the completed pages with the Clerk of the District Court's Small Claims Division at the courthouse for the right division (attorneys and businesses may be subject to the judiciary's e-filing rules — the clerk's office can confirm which applies). The District Court's published fee schedule on courts.ri.gov is the authoritative source; verify the current amount with the clerk before filing.
The packet's "What to do Next" pages walk through the sequence: make a copy of pages 2–5, file with the Clerk of the District Court – Small Claims Division for the proper division, print the Answer form and the four Language Assistance Notices from courts.ri.gov, and bring the packet plus the court-issued Summons to the Division of Sheriffs (670 New London Avenue, Cranston) or a licensed constable for service. If the defendant answers, the court refers the case to mediation before setting a trial date; if the defendant does not answer, the court can enter a judgment by default.
Published fees and court locations for your county are in our Rhode Island small claims guide and the court directory. Fees change — verify the current amount with the clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get the Rhode Island small claims form?
From courts.ri.gov — the official packet, with the court's instructions built in, is a free PDF (linked on this page). District Court clerk offices also provide it.
Does the form have to be notarized?
Yes — Part 5 requires signing in front of a notary, and the form warns that the court will not accept and file a claim signed any other way. The notary completes the acknowledgment block on the same page.
How much can I sue for in Rhode Island small claims?
Up to $5,000, not including court costs — the limit is printed in the packet's first instruction. Larger claims use the District Court's regular civil process.
Can I appeal if I disagree with the decision?
Part 4 of the form has you acknowledge that, under G.L. 1956 § 10-16-4(b), a plaintiff who files in small claims gives up the right to appeal the judge's decision — it is one of the trade-offs of the small claims track.
What happens after I file?
The court issues a Summons, and you take the packet to the sheriff's office or a licensed constable for personal service on the defendant. If the defendant answers, the court refers the case to mediation, and a trial date follows if mediation doesn't resolve it; if the defendant doesn't answer, the court can enter a default judgment.
Related guides
Form link verified: 2026-07-04. Reviewed against our Editorial Standards.
This is general information to help you understand the form — not legal advice, and not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. Courts revise forms, fees, and procedures; the court's own instructions and your court clerk are the authoritative sources. Always verify with the court before filing.