Alabama Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Alabama.
Maximum Claim
$6,000
Filing Fee
$59
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (District Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Alabama
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Alabama?
In Alabama, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $6,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Alabama Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $59 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Alabama
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
6
years — written contract
6
years — oral contract
6
years — property damage
2
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Alabama?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Alabama
Small claims cases in Alabama are handled by the Small Claims Court (District Court). Alabama has 67 county District Courts.
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the incident occurred
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Alabama
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by sheriff, certified mail, or private process server
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 14 days before the hearing.
Alabama Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Alabama small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 14 days for a new trial in circuit court
Is e-filing available?
Yes, electronic filing is available in Alabama.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Alabama courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Alabama Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Alabama
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Autauga County
Prattville area
(334) 358-6805
Baldwin County
Bay Minette area
(251) 937-0280
Barbour County
Clayton area
(334) 775-8366
Bibb County
Centreville area
(205) 926-3103
Blount County
Oneonta area
(205) 973-0499
Bullock County
Union Springs area
(334) 738-2280
Butler County
Greenville area
(334) 382-3521
Calhoun County
Anniston area
(256) 231-1850
Chambers County
LaFayette area
(334) 864-4318
Cherokee County
Centre area
(256) 927-3637
Chilton County
Clanton area
(205) 755-4275 option 3
Choctaw County
Butler area
(205) 459-2155
Clarke County
Grove Hill area
(251) 275-3363
Clay County
Ashland area
(256) 354-7926
Cleburne County
Heflin area
(256) 463-2651
Coffee County
Elba area
(334) 347-2519
Colbert County
Tuscumbia area
(256) 386-8511
Conecuh County
Evergreen area
(251) 578-2066
Coosa County
Rockford area
(256) 377-4957
Covington County
Andalusia area
(334) 428-2520
Crenshaw County
Luverne area
(334) 335-6575
Cullman County
Cullman area
(256) 775-4694
Dale County
Ozark area
(334) 774-5003
Dallas County
Selma area
(334) 874-2523
DeKalb County
Fort Payne area
(256) 845-8525
Elmore County
Wetumpka area
(334) 514-3116 ext. 4402
Escambia County
Brewton area
(251) 867-0305 x285
Etowah County
Gadsden area
(256) 549-2150 (Main Circuit Clerk's Office), (256) 549-5432 (District Civil/Small Claims)
Fayette County
Fayette area
(205) 932-4617
Franklin County
Russellville area
(256) 332-8861
Geneva County
Geneva area
(334) 684-5630
Greene County
Eutaw area
(205) 372-3598
Hale County
Greensboro area
(334) 624-4257
Henry County
Abbeville area
(334) 585-2753
Houston County
Dothan area
(334) 677-4868
Jackson County
Scottsboro area
(256) 574-9320
Jefferson County
Birmingham area
(205) 325-5355
Lamar County
Vernon area
(205) 695-7193
Lauderdale County
Florence area
(256) 760-5728
Lawrence County
Moulton area
(256) 974-2432
Lee County
Opelika area
(334) 749-7141
Limestone County
Athens area
(256) 233-6406
Lowndes County
Hayneville area
(334) 548-2252
Macon County
Tuskegee area
(334) 727-6110
Madison County
Huntsville area
(256) 532-3622
Marengo County
Linden area
(334) 295-2224
Marion County
Hamilton area
(205) 921-7451
Marshall County
Guntersville area
(256) 571-7793
Mobile County
Mobile area
(251) 574-8525
Monroe County
Monroeville area
(251) 743-4381
Montgomery County
area
(334) 832-1260
Morgan County
Decatur area
(256) 351-4643
Perry County
Marion area
(334) 683-6106
Pickens County
Carrollton area
(205) 367-2050
Pike County
Troy area
(334) 566-5113
Randolph County
Wedowee area
(256) 357-4551
Russell County
Phenix City area
(334) 298-0516
Shelby County
Columbiana area
(205) 670-5274
St. Clair County
Ashville area
(205) 594-2184
Sumter County
Livingston area
(205) 652-2291
Talladega County
Talladega area
(256) 761-2104 ext. 1211
Tallapoosa County
Dadeville area
(256) 825-1098
Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa area
(205) 349-3870 ext. 355
Walker County
Jasper area
(205) 384-7268
Washington County
Chatom area
(251) 847-2239
Wilcox County
Camden area
(334) 682-4126
Winston County
Double Springs area
(205) 489-5533
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Alabama?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide