Arkansas Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Arkansas.
Maximum Claim
$5,000
Filing Fee
$65
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Division (District Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
In Arkansas, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $5,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Arkansas Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $65 |
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 Arkansas
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
5
years — written contract
5
years — oral contract
3
years — property damage
3
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Arkansas?
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 Arkansas
Small claims cases in Arkansas are handled by the Small Claims Division (District Court). Arkansas has 75 county District Courts.
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the transaction 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 Arkansas
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 or certified mail
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 5 days before the hearing.
Arkansas Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Arkansas small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 30 days to circuit court
Is e-filing available?
E-filing is available in some Arkansas courts but not all. Check with your specific court location.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Arkansas courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Arkansas Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Arkansas
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Arkansas County
De Witt area
(870) 673-0500
Ashley County
Hamburg area
(870) 853-8326
Baxter County
Mountain Home area
(870) 425-3140
Benton County
Bentonville area
(479) 271-3120
Boone County
Harrison area
(870) 741-2788
Bradley County
Warren area
(870) 226-2567
Calhoun County
Hampton area
(870) 798-2753
Carroll County
Berryville area
(870) 423-6247
Chicot County
Lake Village area
(870) 538-3476
Clark County
Arkadelphia area
(870) 246-9552
Clay County
Piggott area
(870) 598-2265
Cleburne County
Heber Springs area
(501) 362-6585
Cleveland County
Rison area
(870) 325-7382
Columbia County
Magnolia area
(870) 234-7312
Conway County
Morrilton area
(501) 354-9615
Craighead County
Jonesboro area
(870) 933-4508
Crawford County
Van Buren area
(479) 474-1671
Crittenden County
Marion area
(870) 732-7560
Cross County
Wynne area
(870) 238-9171
Dallas County
Fordyce area
(870) 352-7105
Desha County
Arkansas City area
(870) 382-2444
Drew County
Monticello area
(870) 367-4420
Faulkner County
Conway area
(501) 450-6112
Franklin County
Ozark area
(479) 667-4808
Fulton County
Salem area
(870) 895-4136
Garland County
Hot Springs area
(501) 321-6765 (Ext. 3 for Small Claims/Civil)
Grant County
Sheridan area
(870) 942-3464
Greene County
Paragould area
(870) 239-7507
Hempstead County
Hope area
(870) 777-2525
Hot Spring County
Malvern area
(501) 332-7604
Howard County
Nashville area
(870) 845-7522
Independence County
Batesville area
(870) 793-8817
Izard County
Melbourne area
(870) 368-4390
Jackson County
Newport area
(870) 523-9555
Jefferson County
Pine Bluff area
(870) 850-7584 (Judge Kearney's Division), (870) 541-4646 (Judge Bridgforth's Division)
Johnson County
Clarksville area
(479) 754-8533
Lafayette County
Lewisville area
(870) 921-5555
Lawrence County
Walnut Ridge area
(870) 886-1140
Lee County
Marianna area
(870) 295-7730
Lincoln County
Star City area
(870) 628-4904
Little River County
Ashdown area
(870) 898-7230
Logan County
Paris area
(479) 963-3792
Lonoke County
Lonoke area
(501) 676-2316
Madison County
Huntsville area
(479) 738-2911
Marion County
Yellville area
(870) 449-6030
Miller County
Texarkana area
(870) 772-2780
Mississippi County
Blytheville area
(870) 763-7513
Monroe County
Clarendon area
(870) 734-2520
Montgomery County
Mount Ida area
(870) 867-2221
Nevada County
Prescott area
(870) 887-6016
Newton County
Jasper area
(870) 446-5335
Ouachita County
Camden area
(870) 836-0331
Perry County
Perryville area
(501) 889-5296
Phillips County
Helena-West Helena area
(870) 817-7450
Pike County
Murfreesboro area
(870) 285-3865
Poinsett County
Harrisburg area
(870) 578-4110
Polk County
Mena area
(479) 394-3091
Pope County
Russellville area
(479) 968-1393
Prairie County
Des Arc area
(870) 998-2226
Pulaski County
Little Rock area
(501) 340-6830
Randolph County
Pocahontas area
(870) 892-4033
Saline County
Benton area
(501) 303-5670
Scott County
Waldron area
(479) 637-4694
Searcy County
Marshall area
(870) 448-5411
Sebastian County
Fort Smith area
(479) 784-2377
Sevier County
De Queen area
(870) 584-7311
Sharp County
Ash Flat area
(870) 994-2745
St. Francis County
Forrest City area
(870) 261-1410
Stone County
Mountain View area
(870) 269-3465
Union County
El Dorado area
(870) 864-1950
Van Buren County
Clinton area
(501) 745-8894
Washington County
Fayetteville area
(479) 587-3591
White County
Searcy area
(501) 724-5701
Woodruff County
Augusta area
(870) 347-2790
Yell County
Danville area
(479) 229-1389
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Arkansas?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide