Kentucky Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Kentucky.
Maximum Claim
$2,500
Filing Fee
$45
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Division (District Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
In Kentucky, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $2,500. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Kentucky Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $45 |
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 Kentucky
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
15
years — written contract
5
years — oral contract
2
years — property damage
1
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky
Small claims cases in Kentucky are handled by the Small Claims Division (District Court). Kentucky has 120 county District Courts.
Where to file: File in the county where the defendant lives or where the obligation was incurred
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 Kentucky
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, warning order attorney, or certified mail
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Kentucky Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Kentucky small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 30 days to circuit court
Is e-filing available?
Yes, electronic filing is available in Kentucky.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Kentucky courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Kentucky Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Kentucky
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Adair County
Columbia area
(270) 384-2626
Allen County
Scottsville area
270-237-3561
Anderson County
Lawrenceburg area
(502) 839-5445
Ballard County
Wickliffe area
(270) 335-5123
Barren County
Glasgow area
(270) 651-3763
Bath County
Owingsville area
(606) 674-2186
Bell County
Pineville area
(606) 337-9900
Boone County
Burlington area
859-448-2900
Bourbon County
Paris area
(859) 987-2624
Boyd County
Catlettsburg area
606-739-4131
Boyle County
Danville area
(859) 239-7362
Bracken County
Brooksville area
(606) 735-2522 (District Court Clerk)
Breathitt County
Jackson area
(606) 666-5768
Breckinridge County
Hardinsburg area
(270) 756-2239
Bullitt County
Shepherdsville area
(502) 543-7104
Butler County
Morgantown area
(270) 526-5631
Caldwell County
Princeton area
(270) 365-6884
Calloway County
Murray area
(270) 753-0060
Campbell County
Alexandria area
(859) 292-6305
Carlisle County
Bardwell area
(270) 628-5425
Carroll County
Carrollton area
502-732-4305
Carter County
Grayson area
(606) 474-6572
Casey County
Liberty area
(606) 787-6510
Christian County
Hopkinsville area
270-889-6539
Clark County
Winchester area
(859) 737-7141
Clay County
Manchester area
(606) 598-3663
Clinton County
Albany area
(606) 387-6424
Crittenden County
Marion area
(270) 965-4200
Cumberland County
Burkesville area
(270) 864-2611
Daviess County
Owensboro area
(270) 687-7270
Edmonson County
Brownsville area
(270) 597-2584
Elliott County
Sandy Hook area
(606) 738-5238
Estill County
Irvine area
(606) 723-2000
Fayette County
Lexington area
(859) 246-2244
Fleming County
Flemingsburg area
(606) 845-8571
Floyd County
Prestonsburg area
(606) 889-1658
Franklin County
Frankfort area
(502) 564-7013
Fulton County
Hickman area
(270) 236-3944
Gallatin County
Warsaw area
(859) 567-5241
Garrard County
Lancaster area
(859) 792-6032
Grant County
Williamstown area
859-823-5251
Graves County
Mayfield area
(270) 247-1733
Grayson County
Leitchfield area
(270) 259-3040
Green County
Greensburg area
270-932-5631
Greenup County
Greenup area
(606) 473-9869
Hancock County
Hawesville area
270-927-8144
Hardin County
Elizabethtown area
(270) 766-5000 (Option 3 for District: Small Claims)
Harlan County
Harlan area
(606) 573-2680
Harrison County
Cynthiana area
859-234-1914
Hart County
Munfordville area
270-524-5181
Henderson County
Henderson area
270-826-2405
Henry County
New Castle area
(502) 845-7551
Hickman County
Clinton area
270-653-3901
Hopkins County
Madisonville area
270-824-7509
Jackson County
McKee area
(606) 287-8651
Jefferson County
Louisville area
(502) 595-4475
Jessamine County
Nicholasville area
(859) 885-4531
Johnson County
Paintsville area
(606) 297-9567
Kenton County
Covington area
(859) 292-6523
Knott County
Hindman area
(606) 785-5021
Knox County
Barbourville area
(606) 546-3232
Larue County
Hodgenville area
(270) 358-3421
Laurel County
London area
(606) 330-2078
Lawrence County
Louisa area
(606) 638-4215
Lee County
Beattyville area
(606) 464-8400
Leslie County
Hyden area
(606) 672-2505
Letcher County
Whitesburg area
606-633-7559
Lewis County
Vanceburg area
606-796-3053
Lincoln County
Stanford area
(606) 365-2535
Livingston County
Smithland area
270-928-2172
Logan County
Russellville area
(270) 726-2424 (Press 2 for District)
Lyon County
Eddyville area
(270) 388-2727
Madison County
Richmond area
(859) 624-4713
Magoffin County
Salyersville area
(606) 349-2215
Marion County
Lebanon area
(270) 692-2681
Marshall County
Benton area
(270) 527-1721
Martin County
Inez area
(606) 298-3508
Mason County
Maysville area
(606) 564-4011
McCracken County
Paducah area
270-575-7270
McCreary County
Whitley City area
(606) 376-5041
McLean County
Calhoun area
(270) 273-3966
Meade County
Brandenburg area
(270) 422-4961
Menifee County
Frenchburg area
(606) 768-2461
Mercer County
Harrodsburg area
859-734-8452
Metcalfe County
Edmonton area
(270) 432-3663
Monroe County
Tompkinsville area
270-487-5480
Montgomery County
Mount Sterling area
859-498-5966
Morgan County
West Liberty area
606-743-3763
Muhlenberg County
Greenville area
270-338-0995
Nelson County
Bardstown area
(502) 348-3648
Nicholas County
Carlisle area
859-289-2336
Ohio County
Hartford area
270-298-3671
Oldham County
La Grange area
(502) 222-5621
Owen County
Owenton area
502-484-2232
Owsley County
Booneville area
(606) 593-6226
Pendleton County
Falmouth area
859-654-3347
Perry County
Hazard area
(606) 435-6002
Pike County
Pikeville area
(606) 433-7557
Powell County
Stanton area
(606) 663-4141
Pulaski County
Somerset area
(606) 677-4029
Robertson County
Mount Olivet area
(606) 724-5993
Rockcastle County
Mount Vernon area
(606) 256-2581
Rowan County
Morehead area
(606) 783-8505
Russell County
Jamestown area
(270) 343-2185
Scott County
Georgetown area
502-863-0474
Shelby County
Shelbyville area
(502) 633-4736
Simpson County
Franklin area
(270) 586-4241, (270) 586-8910
Spencer County
Taylorsville area
(502) 477-3220
Taylor County
Campbellsville area
(270) 465-6686
Todd County
Elkton area
270-265-5631
Trigg County
Cadiz area
(270) 522-6270
Trimble County
Bedford area
(502) 255-3525
Union County
Morganfield area
(270) 389-0800
Warren County
Bowling Green area
(270) 746-7400
Washington County
Springfield area
859-336-3761
Wayne County
Monticello area
(606) 348-5841 / (606) 348-5983
Webster County
Dixon area
(270) 639-9300
Whitley County
Williamsburg area
(606) 549-2973
Wolfe County
Campton area
(606) 668-3736
Woodford County
Versailles area
859-873-3711
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Kentucky?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide